All posts by Alejandro Hernandez

News & Achievements Archive

CBPA Honor Roll for Social Impact wins the 2022 Innovation in Business Education Award

The Mid-American Business Deans Association has recognized the College of Business and Public Administrations’s Honor Roll for Social Impact with first place in its 2022 Innovation in Business Education Award in the New Ways to Achieve Student Engagement track. Dean Hernandez attended the association’s conference in Chicago to accept the award on behalf of the students, faculty, and staff who have made community service a priority at Drake.

As noted in the submission that generated this award: “To encourage, recognize, and celebrate the development of a social impact mindset and related service work, Drake University’s College of Business and Public Administration developed the CBPA Dean’s Honor Roll for Social Impact.” For a glimpse into the impact students are making across campus, see our group on DUgood, Drake’s online community engagement platform.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean, CBPA

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Black Law Student Association awarded the Iowa National Bar Association’s Journey Award

Drake University Law School is pleased to announce that the Drake Law School Black Law Student Association (BLSA) is a 2022 recipient of the Iowa National Bar Association’s (INBA) Journey Award. The Journey Award is presented to organizations or individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in Iowa’s legal community. The award was presented at the fourth annual Meeting at the Monument: A Celebration of Diversity within the Iowa Legal Community on Sept. 29, 2022. Marcus Coleman, immediate past-president of BLSA, accepted the award on behalf of BLSA.

BLSA was recognized for outstanding programming and initiatives that enhanced the experience of Black students at the Law School, and strengthened connections and commitments to the greater legal community. Some of the specific programs noted include increasing the availability of free and low cost textbooks to BLSA students and the student body through the BLSA Lending Library; hosting nationally acclaimed attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons for a presentation about his fight for victims of the Tulsa race massacre; maintaining representation with students in positions on the executive boards of the National and Midwest Black Law Student Associations; and increasing collaboration with the Law School Office of Admission and Financial Aid to improve efforts to recruit black students to Drake Law School.

Kaleb McKinnon, current president of BLSA, said, “I am proud of the accomplishments of the Drake BLSA in working to build relationships with the community and across campus. We are honored to accept The Journey Award, as it symbolizes all of the hard work we have done over the years. It is an honor for me and the current executive board to continue to move the needle forward for black law students at Drake Law.”

Dean Jerry Anderson, dean of Drake Law School, said, “BLSA has been a wonderful leader in enriching the fabric of Drake Law’s community in so many ways and supporting other students of color. I am really proud of the work they’ve done and pleased to see those efforts recognized by the Iowa NBA.”

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

For Faculty Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10: Time for conversation

Each Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

During the past two years, I’ve frequently felt disconnected—the move to remote instruction in the first semesters of the pandemic made it impossible to have the kinds of impromptu conversations that feel so nourishing.  With our return to more face-to-face interactions, I’m noticing that I still schedule my meetings as though they were on Team—ie: back-to-back-to-back, which also leaves little time for impromptu chats!

I’m working on finding ways to build time into my schedule for conversations, rather than meetings.  Here are some upcoming times and places to find me—no agenda!

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 9–10 a.m., Cowles Reading Room

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2–3 p.m., Collier Scripps, 1st floor

I’ll be hosting light breakfasts (pastries from La Mie, hot tea/instant coffee) in Howard Hall’s Academic Affairs suite, for FYS instructors in particular Oct. 14, and all faculty Oct. 20, both at 8:30–9:30 a.m.

New Faculty—and anyone who wants to meet them—are invited for a low-key meet-up in Howard Hall on the 20th, from 3:30—4:30 p.m.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10: Speaking Center open, resources for students

Each Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

The Speaking Center is open for both online and campus appointments for Fall 2022.

Drake University’s Speaking Center is here to support students, faculty, and staff in our shared efforts to develop and advance crucial skills in oral communication.

Students can book appointments to meet with a tutor or the director for help in preparing, composing, and delivering speeches and presentations—or even to get advice for initiating difficult conversations and participating in interactive discussions.

Please let your students know:

The Speaking Center will be holding appointments online through Blackboard and also in our new tutoring space downstairs in Cowles Library, room 039. Please follow the signs through the tutoring areas back to the SW corner to find our new location. Tutoring appointments are currently available Monday-Thursday afternoon.

To make an  appointment: Visit http://library.drake.edu/speaking to schedule a personal meeting with a tutor. Please enter a note specifying whether you prefer a virtual or campus appointment.

Virtual Tutoring Sessions are held on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra at the following link:

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/7989fbe8f9314fa98d680dca692582e9

Appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes each, and students are encouraged to schedule multiple times while preparing for a single event if they wish. Any questions or concerns should be directed to speaking-help@drake.edu.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

News & Achievements Archive

Christina Trombley awarded leadership award by continuing education association

Christina Trombley, executive director for Drake Online and Continuing Education, recently received the 2022 Central Region Sue Maes Outstanding Leadership Award from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).

The award recognizes one UPCEA Central Region professional member each year who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service. Trombley was honored at at the UPCEA Central Region Conference in late September in Columbus, Ohio.

The award recognizes leadership, service, and a commitment to adult and continuing education with the member’s institution and region.  A long-time UPCEA member, Trombley has presented and moderated a number of conference sessions at both the regional and national level. She has held several offices within the organization, including vice-chair and chair for the Central Region, and currently serves the region as regional representative.  In addition, she is recognized for her commitment to mentoring and supporting others at UCM, at other institutions and through numerous UPCEA connections.

For Students Archive

Register for the Sussman Student Leadership Conference

Register today! The Sussman Leadership Conference is an annual event that brings together Drake student leaders from all across campus to explore and gain skills in a particular leadership topic and theme. This year’s conference, “Confidence and the Comparison Trap,” will explore how to gain genuine and authentic confidence as a student leader and young professional. Conference registration is free for students (valued at $75 per seat!) including a gourmet brunch, nationally-renowned keynote speaker, and several breakout sessions. This conference gives Drake University student leaders a chance to gain leadership skills immediately useful to their academic, personal, and professional lives. All conference registration fees are covered by the Adams Leadership Institute. Space is limited, learn more and register by Nov. 1 at bit.ly/sussman22.

— Kristin Economos, Director, Student Leadership Programs 

Campus Announcements Archive

Family Weekend: Hoops Fest, football, volleyball, soccer, and more

Family Weekend kicks off Thursday, Oct. 6, with Hoops Fest in the Historic Court Avenue District.  Hoops Fest is from 5–8 p.m. and will feature the Drake Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams competing in various competition on a temporary court on Court Avenue. Along with the action on the court there will be giveaways, drink specials, food trucks, and much more!

Friday the volleyball team opens its home slate in a newly renovated Knapp Center at 6 p.m. It’s a “Blue Out” so there will be a T-shirt giveaway plus bring your Drake Hoops Fest mug and get in free. Saturday is Family Day as the football team welcomes San Diego at 1 p.m. followed by volleyball back in the Knapp Center at 6 p.m.

The weekend wraps Sunday at 1 p.m. as the Women’s Soccer team faces off against UIC at Drake Stadium.

For a full list of athletic events during Family Weekend visit, draketix.com/familyweekend.

A variety of other events such as a family game night, coffee social, campus and neighborhood tour, tailgate cookout, sweetheart sing, and a 5K and one mile run/walk will also round out the weekend. Learn more and view the Family Weekend schedule.

— Michael Admire, Athletics

For Students Archive

Bulldog Bootcamp workout program

Start off the fall season right with Bulldog Bootcamp. This is a 4-week free group training program from Oct. 17–Nov. 9 that will provide you with a fun, yet challenging experience. The program is completed with a small group of Drake students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. with the implementation of HIIT and strength training workouts. Sign up for fun workouts with your friends today.

Email recmarketing@drake.edu for more info and sign up by Oct. 10.

Campus Announcements Archive

Walk the Bulldog Mile Oct. 5 as part of Healthiest State Walk

Grab your walking shoes and join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 5.  For those working on campus, we invite all faculty, staff, and students to meet at noon at the start of the Bulldog Mile.  This one-mile path begins outside the Olmsted Center (just southeast of the building).  We will have a drawing for some prizes, and then follow the signs and giant paw prints on the sidewalk as we make our way around and through campus.  Bring a colleague or make it a team or department event.  If it is raining, we will move the event to the indoor track at the Knapp Center.

For those not on campus, we encourage you to take a break sometime during the day on Oct. 5 and go for a walk. Then send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for a chance at additional prizes.  Let’s get moving!

— Linda Feiden, HR

Campus Announcements Archive

Join Drake’s Walktober step challenge with DMU and Wesley Life

This is the fourth year of Drake’s Walktober step challenge with Des Moines University and Wesley Life.  Each site has won the challenge (and coveted trophy) once, which makes this the tie breaker year.  To bring the trophy back to the Drake campus, we need your help, by joining the Drake Walktober step challenge team.

You will receive a journal and instructions to track your daily steps both on and off campus during the month of October.  Any movement that records steps will count toward the total. Along the way, you will receive fun facts and have a chance at individual prizes.  This event is open to all faculty, staff, and students.  Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to register.  Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 30.

— Linda Feiden, HR