All posts by Anisa Hansen

For Faculty, For Staff

Faculty/Staff Affinity Groups: Invite to Join

This message includes 2 new Affinity Groups that will be starting this year!

 Since the 2021–2022 academic year, the Office of Campus Equity and Inclusion has supported a variety of faculty and staff affinity groups designed to build community, foster belonging, and support professional well-being across campus.

If you would like to connect with any of our active affinity groups or be added to their mailing list, please reach out directly to the designated point of contact below.

Additionally, we are actively seeking a new faculty or staff champion to help lead the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. While Terrance is currently serving as the interim point of contact to collect names and share updates, we would love to transition leadership to anyone interested in helping guide and shape this community. If you are interested in stepping into this leadership role or co-championing the group, please let Anisa know!

Affinity GroupContactEmail Address
Parents of Young Children (NEW!)Elizabeth Talbertelizabeth.talbert@drake.edu
Disability (NEW!)Sam Sheltonsam.shelton@drake.edu
LGBTQ+Terrance Pendleton (Interim)terrance.pendleton@drake.edu
Black / African AmericanTerrance Pendletonterrance.pendleton@drake.edu
JewishLilianna Bernsteinlilianna.bernstein@drake.edu
Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI)Jeanette Tran

 

Ellen Yee

jeanette.tran@drake.edu

 

ellen.yee@drake.edu

Latino/a/xMarina Verlengiamarina.verlengia@drake.edu
MuslimAlimoor Rezamd.reza@drake.edu

We are also always looking to expand spaces of connection on campus. If you are interested in starting a new affinity group that aligns with and advances Drake’s mission for equity and inclusion, please feel free to reach out to Anisa directly.

— Anisa Hansen, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion

— Terrance Pendleton, Faculty Fellow for Equity and Inclusion

Campus Announcements

Drake Law School to honor Professor Sally Frank with “Advocacy in Action” event

Drake University Law School will host “Advocacy in Action: Law, Religion, and Social Justice” on  Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. bringing together Drake Law Professor Sally Frank, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner and Rita Bettis Austen for a reflection on their unique leadership journeys at the intersection of civil rights, faith and legal reform.

This event is free and open to the public and will be held in the James Albert classroom (213) in Cartwright Hall. Registration is required. Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=6559190f-9e0b-44d4-bea1-cf49a8433a15&envId=p-5q02DJVwcU2zacASsSW7Ig&zone=usa

The event will also recognize Frank’s retirement from her 35-year career at Drake Law School. Throughout her career, Frank has served as a teacher, scholar and advocate for justice and civil rights. Princeton University named a campus café in her honor, recognizing her landmark sex discrimination case challenging the university’s all-male eating clubs. She began that fight at just 19 years old as an undergraduate; 13 years later, as a young professor at Drake Law, she saw it through to a precedent-setting victory for gender equity on Princeton’s campus.

Joining Frank for the discussion is Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and senior vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose work focuses on bringing communities together to advocate for social justice. Rita Bettis Austen, legal director of the ACLU of Iowa, brings extensive experience in civil rights advocacy, helping to promote and protect the rights and freedoms for all Iowans.

“Professor Frank provided a role model for countless Drake Law students for how to use the law as a force for justice,” Drake Law School Dean Jerry Anderson said. “Her advocacy for the less fortunate was passionate, constant, and effective.”

A reception honoring Frank’s retirement will follow the program from 4 to 5 p.m. in Kern Commons.

About Drake University Law School

Drake Law School was founded in Des Moines in 1865, making it one of the 25 oldest law schools in the country. The Law School was established by Iowa Supreme Court justices George Wright and Chester Cole, who aimed to teach law in proximity to the courts so students could witness the law in action. From the very beginning, Drake Law School focused on real and practical experience. Today the Law School continues to build on that tradition and provide opportunities for service, leadership, and the pursuit of rewarding careers. Learn more about the Drake Law School.

Campus Announcements

Religion and Insurance Panel Discussion Sept. 24

On Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Room 101, The Comparison Project, together with the Zimpleman College of Business, will co-host the first event of its 2026–2028 series on Prophets & Profits, a panel dialogue featuring local insurance industry executives.

Panelists include Scott Jean, President and CEO of EMC Insurance Companies, Nick Gerhart, Chief Operating Officer of Homesteaders Life Company, Christian Walk, Senior Vice President, Legal and Associate General Counsel at Global Atlantic Financial Group, and Jason Giles, shareholder at Nyemaster Goode.

The event and series are generously supported by the Joel W. Peterson Trust.

— Timothy D. Knepper, Professor of Philosophy/Comparison Project Director

Campus Announcements

Traffic Advisory: Forest Avenue Lane Closure

 

On Friday, Sept. 18, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., as part of a University Facilities project, the westbound lanes of Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 28th Street, in front of Drake Stadium, will be intermittently closed.

Access to Lot 18 will not be affected by this work.

Members of the campus community who use Forest Avenue, whether by vehicle or on foot, are asked to exercise additional caution while work is underway. Traffic control signage and barricades will be in place to help direct vehicles and pedestrians safely through the area.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this project.

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

HR Information

Workers Compensation Incidents: What To Do If You’re Injured At Work

Drake University strives to maintain a safe campus to reduce workplace injuries, but even the most comprehensive risk management policies & procedures can’t prevent all accidents. If you are hurt at work, follow these easy steps to ensure you get the care you need to recover:

Let Your Supervisor Know: Your supervisor will guide you through the process to make sure you get the right care. They will submit a First Report of Injury form on your behalf.

Report the Incident: contact TeleCompCare (TCC) nurse triage at 866-323-4227 (24 hours a day/365 days a year) right away – a trained medical worker will evaluate your symptoms and advise you of the appropriate next steps.

When calling, reference Policyholder Name: Drake University and TCC Number: 100311.  Drake’s insurance carrier for workplace injuries is United Heartland.

Seek Care If Recommended: UnityPoint Occupational Health is our Work Comp partner for employees working & living in the Des Moines Metro Area. This means an employee must seek care at the UnityPoint Occupational Health location – not just any office location. For Employees outside of Des Moines, Nurse Triage and the Risk & Insurance Office will work together to ensure you get seen for care at the right place.

Follow Your Treatment Plan: Your medical provider will provide a treatment plan for you. You may be instructed to take time off work, work with modified duties, or follow-up with a care provider. Please be sure to keep your supervisor informed of your treatment plan! Your medical team will work with Drake staff to ensure you are able to follow your treatment plan.

Work Comp incidents can be disruptive and uncomfortable, but please remember: your team is here to support you before, during, and after any workplace injury. Please contact durisk@drake.edu with any questions or concerns!

Drake HR’s Workers Comp site has additional details

— Jordan Kauffman, Human Resources

Campus Announcements

Governor Ray Day Ice Cream Social Sept. 25

Celebrate the legacy of Governor Robert D. Ray with an ice cream social on Friday, Sept. 25, from 2:30-4 p.m. on The Ray Promenade outside of Collier-Scripps Hall. Ice cream novelties will be served. The rain location will be inside Collier-Scripps Hall on the lower level.

Governor Robert D. Ray, Drake University’s 11th president and Iowa’s 38th governor, made an impact that reached far beyond the state, touching lives around the world. Best known for his humanitarian efforts and transformation of state government, his legacy continues through the work of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University.

The Ray Center invites the entire Drake campus community to join in celebrating Governor Ray Day in the state of Iowa.

To learn more about Governor Robert D. Ray’s life and legacy, click here.

— Emily Brown, Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

For Faculty, For Staff

Drake Athletics Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game Nights

Cheer on the Bulldogs and take advantage of a special offer just for Drake faculty and staff. For select Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game Nights, Drake employees can claim one FREE ticket and purchase additional tickets for family and friends at a special discounted rate. Come out, show your Bulldog pride, and enjoy a great night of NCAA Division I athletics with the Drake community!

https://godrakebulldogs.evenue.net/promotions/STAFF

— Tim Tesar, Athletics

Campus Announcements

Writing Center Opens Sept. 8

WHAT WE DO: The Writing Center’s trained peer tutors advise and assist students at any stage of the writing process:

  • Understanding instructions/prompts
  • Generating ideas and ways to develop ideas
  • Outlining and organizing
  • Writing, expanding, revising, and/or copyediting a draft

We are a free service for all Drake students, including graduate students and those in professional programs.

HOW TO SIGN UP TO VISIT: We use Starfish for scheduling. Please go here to book an appointment with a tutor.

Appointments are approximately 30 minutes, and students can sign up for more than one session if they wish. They may also request that a tutor keep a regular time slot available for them if they would like to come in each week. If you cannot attend your scheduled appointment, please remember to cancel and reschedule.

WHERE WE ARE: The lower level of Cowles Library—please follow the signs. We offer hours daily, from mornings to late afternoon/evening (including weekends). Students with health concerns can request an appointment on Zoom.

FOR FACULTY AND STAFF: If you refer a student to the workshop or require all students to visit, please let us know via email (jeanette.tran@drake.edu). Ask students to bring their assignment prompt/instructions to the Writing Center, as well as any writing they have done so far. When students are referred, or required, to visit, the tutor will email you to let you know that your student has attended and briefly describe what work was done. When students attend on their own, we do not inform professors unless they specifically ask us to do so. Note: please contact jeanette.tran@drake.edu for instructions on how to ascertain if a student has attended a Writing Center appointment.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS please contact Prof. Jeanette Tran, Director of Writing (jeanette.tran@drake.edu).

We look forward to working with you this semester!

— Jeanette Tran, Associate Professor of English

For Students

Drake Law School Prospective Student Open House Oct. 16

Prospective students are welcome to attend the Drake Law School Open House on Friday, Oct. 16, starting at 1 p.m. Our open house is intended for students that are looking to enroll in the Fall of 2027 or 2028. During this event students will hear from the dean, admissions staff, and current students. If you are looking to learn more about Drake Law School and get a tour of our facilities, we encourage you to register for our event.

— Jill Costanzo, Law School