Since the 1940's there has been a Roman Catholic ministry presence on the Drake University Campus.  In 1969 Bishop Maurice Dingman canonically established the Drake Newman Community as a parish with a specific ministry focus to Drake
University students, faculty and staff.

In 2009, Bishop Richard Pates expanded the role of Drake Newman Center and created the diocesan office of campus ministry.  Fr. Joel McNeil was appointed pastor of St. Kate's and diocesan director of campus ministry along with Tom Primmer as Diocesan coordinator of campus ministry and director of campus ministry for St. Kate's.

Fr. Joel has oversight and is in the process of developing supportive ministry teams. These teams will minister and guide Catholic Campus Ministry at Grandview University, Graceland College, Simpson College, Mercy College of Health Sciences and Des Moines University, Southwest Iowa Community College, DMACC, Iowa Western Community College, and AIB College of Business. It is the diocese’s goal to continue the expansion of campus ministry to all Catholic students in the diocese, community colleges and technical schools.