All posts by Aaron Jaco

Strategic Updates Archive

Division of Student Life reconfigures positions

The Division of Student Life is pleased to share with our campus community a reconfiguration of positions within the Dean of Students Office. This reconfiguration will allow us to more collectively provide robust support for students, further facilitating their access to an exceptional learning environment here at Drake.

At this time we are in the active search process for a prevention coordinator for sexual and interpersonal misconduct, following Alysa Mozak’s decision to leave Drake in July. Due to the critical importance of this position, we were able to review and post the position right away and Associate Dean Jerry Parker has formed a search committee of faculty, staff, and students while programming continues this summer and fall. Consistent with Title IX and the Campus SaVE Act, the prevention coordinator will be responsible for all education, awareness, and bystander intervention programming for students, faculty, and staff; supervision of MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) and VIP (Violence Intervention Partner); and as with Alysa’s previous role, assist students in connecting with the appropriate community partner or support resources. This position is complemented by regular office hours on campus with confidential community advocates and a new confidential spiritual counselor for better access and availability to our students. The combination of these campus and community resources will make sure that we are offering students the best type of support available. Please visit Drake’s Title IX website for information about all the support options available to students.

Michelle Laughlin, coordinator for student disability services, is joining the Dean of Students Office within Division of Student Life to more collectively facilitate students’ access to University support services. Michelle will be joined by Coordinator for Student Support and Case Management Leah Berte. This position includes two components: First is the provision of services for students with disabilities, alongside the coordinator for student disability services; second, the case management function supports student success and retention by coordinating services for students of concern and conducting outreach to the campus community.

The final member of the team is Community Standards Officer Joe Campos. The community standards officer has the responsibility of managing the day-to-day operations of the University’s student conduct system under the direction of the dean of students. This role will provide critical support and leadership by fostering a campus environment that upholds high standards and expectations for ethical and responsible conduct and behavior.

For more information regarding these positions, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 515-271-2835.

—Jerry Parker, Associate Dean of Students

Strategic Updates Archive

Introducing the Drake Commitment

I’m pleased to announce a new initiative, the Drake Commitment, which aims to continuously improve the value we deliver to students and differentiate the exceptional Drake education. As you might notice, the experiences we commit to providing are already available to our current students and ones that many benefit from. The Drake Commitment is our promise to each incoming Fall 2017 first-year student to provide opportunities that help them achieve their goals after graduation and create a memorable college experience—one that rests on our foundation of integrating a liberal arts and sciences education with professional preparation.

This commitment states that each student’s Drake education will include:

  • Personal mentorship—Each student will be mentored by a full-time faculty member in his or her major.
  • Learning through service—Students will have the opportunity to make a difference, locally or globally, through a community-based learning experience via the classroom, student organizations, athletics, Greek life, and residence life.
  • Flexibility to explore interests—All students can take a J-Term course tuition free.
  • Building a great résumé—Drake commits to providing every student an internship, research, or practicum experience.

The Drake Commitment is a mutual agreement between the University and each student. While we will do everything possible to provide these experiences, students must also commit to being engaged in their education and actively pursuing opportunities.

This approach was developed over several months with the input and support of many areas of campus, including the provost’s office and the Office of Admission. It has been endorsed by the board of trustees, and we will begin rolling it out to prospective students during Iowa Private College Week, Aug. 1–5. In today’s volatile higher education market, it’s crucial that we implement new and innovative approaches to delivering value and attracting high-caliber students to our campus.

I encourage you to learn more about the Drake Commitment with the Drake Commitment FAQ and online at www.drake.edu/commitment.

Regards,

Marty

News & Achievements Archive

Drake news: Week of Aug. 8

Drake, Bravo announce formation of cultural planning initiative for central Iowa
Drake University President Marty Martin and Bravo Greater Des Moines announced today the formation of a cultural planning initiative for central Iowa.

The Regional Cultural Assessment will build from existing community-wide planning projects such as Capital Crossroads and The Tomorrow Plan to identify and prioritize opportunities to enhance and leverage the arts as an essential driver of quality of life and economic development in central Iowa. Learn more about the initiative in the Drake Newsroom.

Mandela Fellows receive grants to support social enterprises
Four young African professionals who studied business and entrepreneurship at Drake this summer have received federal grants of up to $25,000 to support social enterprises in their home countries.

The grant recipients are participants in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Of the 1,000 Fellows nationwide—distributed among 46 host institutes, including Drake University—nearly 300 applied for grant funding through a business plan competition hosted by the US African Development Foundation (USADF).

The USADF issued grants to 50 Fellows, four of whom were studying at Drake: Tidiane Ball of Mali, Khady Nakoulima of Senegal, Peter Nyamai of Kenya, and Tafangy Sitraka of Madagascar. Read more about the Mandela Fellows in the Drake Newsroom.

News & Achievements Archive

SOE news: Week of Aug. 8

Faculty honor
Matt Bruinekool has been elected by the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) members to serve a four-year term, starting in the first year as 2nd vice president and transitioning through vice president, president, and past-president over the course of the following three years. His term officially begins at the conclusion of the NCRE Fall 2016 Conference in Washington, D.C.

Alumni honors
Alumna Mary Brooks has brought to life a program called “TaleTrail,” sponsored by the West Des Moines Public Library, where people can read a children’s book, page by page, while walking in Ashawa Park. The unveiling ceremony is Tuesday, August 23 at 5 p.m. and all are invited to attend. Mary earned three degrees from Drake: a BFA in1974 (speech communications), an MSE in 1979 (secondary school administration), and another MSE in 1985 (curriculum and instruction).

On July 16, Drake alumna Arlene DeVries, GR’85, was honored with a Champion Award at the Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted Students conference.

Wanda Everage Academic Success Symposium
Fifty Des Moines-area teenagers will participate in a week-long symposium to discuss the unique challenges that students of color face when preparing for college. They’ll hear from experts uniquely qualified to speak on the topic—including their classmates.
The Wanda Everage Academic Success Symposium, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance Company and the School of Education, includes daily activities on Drake’s campus from Sunday, Aug. 7, to Friday, Aug. 12. Read more about the Symposium in the Drake Newsroom.

News & Achievements Archive

Drake hires neighborhood and community relations manager

Drake University took a powerful step this summer in renewing its commitment to the growth and development of the Drake Neighborhood when the University hired Drake alumnus Nick Valdez to the position of neighborhood and community relations manager.

In this new University role, which reports to the chief of staff in the Office of the President, Valdez will develop and enhance partnerships between the University and Drake Neighborhood stakeholders to strengthen the overall economic development and vitality of the area. He will serve as the central point of contact for Drake Neighborhood businesses, institutions, and residents to support mutual campus and community engagement, to address community concerns, and to advance new partnership opportunities. Learn more about Nick and his new role in the Drake Newsroom.

News & Achievements Archive

Facilities Planning and Management welcomes Manny Toribio

On July 18, Manny Toribio joined Drake as assistant director, facilities planning and management. Manny will assist in key changes to facility operations in light of Drake’s decision to terminate its third-party facility management contract effective July 1. Manny was previously employed by the City of Prairie City, where he was the city administrator for three years. Prior to Prairie City he spent six years with the City of Des Moines as a planning technician. A few highlights of activities and events he participated in while at Prairie City include:

  • Revision of codes and ordinances to improve government service delivery
  • Successful annexation of 10 acres of land for future economic development opportunities
  • Oversaw private construction projects, which have resulted in significant growth
  • Secured over $2.1 million through various grants
  • Conducted several major capital improvement projects including: Wastewater Treatment Facility, North Entryway Sign, and the North Side Sewer Rehabilitation
  • Major event planning, such as: Prairie Days, City Wide Clean-up, and recreational fundraisers
  • Supervised a goal-setting session with elected officials, followed by a community survey
  • Coordinated the development of balanced budgets
  • Worked to remove derelict buildings through a demolition program
  • Construction of the Healthy Way Fitness Zone Playground and other significant improvements to the Community Park

Manny received his B.S. in community and regional planning from Iowa State University, and his MPA from Drake in 2010.

Please join us in welcoming Manny to the Drake community.

—Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities Planning and Management

For Students Archive

Golf: For Business and Life Program

Who:  Students (priority for upperclassmen)
What:  Learn to play golf from a professional and how to use it as a business tool from local business professionals

The non-credit course is two parts. The first part is 7–10 group golf lessons at Glen Oaks Country Club and then a small best ball golf outing. You will choose which golf time works for you, Wednesday or Thursday evenings.

The second part is  four classroom sessions with speakers who will discuss the importance of golf in the business world. These sessions will be on various Tuesday evenings 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., throughout the semester.

You must be available for both parts of the class.

When:  First classroom session will be Tuesday, Sept. 6.  Lessons will begin after Labor Day.

Why:  To gain the knowledge and skills to utilize golf as a vital business skill
Cost: $75
Application Deadline: Aug. 19; applications are online at www.drake.edu/recservices

For more information, please contact Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu or 271-4710.

—Lisa Murphy, Director of Recreational Services

HR Information Archive

Open period approval process updated

The Open Period Approval Process has been updated to simplify the process. The details for the process and accompanying “Position Approval Form” can be found in the Manager’s Tools and Resources internal webpage through blueView.

The intent of the open period has not changed. Vacated positions will remain open for a minimum period of 60 calendar days (“open period”) from the last date the vacating employee is paid, unless the position or circumstances surrounding the vacated position are deemed critical to student success, safety, or creates a negative financial impact. The process was established in an effort to effectively manage financial metrics, to ensure strategic alignment of regular full- and part-time staff positions of the University, and for oversight and due diligence of meeting financial metrics. Exceptions to open period require written approval by the president.

Managers received an email with process details on Aug. 4.

Human Resources is available to assist you should a position come open in your area. Contact Gary Johnson (x4804) or Cindy Adams (x3676) with any questions or for assistance.

—Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources