All posts by Linda Feiden

HR Information Archive

Time to play HealthyU BINGO

Join us in July for HealthyU BINGO.  The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two), during the month, with healthy activities completed from a provided list, and then play some games of HealthyU BINGO for prizes.

To get started, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Deadline to register is Friday, June 27.  All participants will receive a packet that includes a list of HealthyU BINGO activities and a blank BINGO card.  You are welcome to make copies for your family.  This is a fun activity for everyone!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

 

News & Achievements Archive

Maria Valdovinos Receives Outstanding Mentor Award from the Association for Behavior Analysis International

Maria Valdovinos, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Psychology, was selected as a recipient of the 2025 Association for Behavior Analysis International Outstanding Mentor Award. The student committee shared the following regarding her selection:

“Dr. Maria Valdovinos exemplifies transformative mentorship through her resolute dedication to nurturing both academic excellence and personal growth in her students. Her mentorship extends far beyond traditional academic roles, creating enduring professional relationships that continue to flourish long after students graduate. Former mentees consistently highlight her remarkable accessibility and genuine investment in their success, noting how she remains a trusted advisor throughout their careers. What distinguishes Dr. Valdovinos is her exceptional ability to inspire passion for behavior analysis while providing practical opportunities for growth. This approach has created a powerful ripple effect, with an impressive 95% of her undergraduate researchers advancing to graduate-level education. Dr. Valdovinos’s impact extends beyond individual mentorship to systematic change. Particularly, she demonstrates a rare combination of academic excellence and compassionate mentorship that has transformed behavior analysis education and practice throughout Iowa and beyond.”

Professor Valdovinos and fellow recipients were recognized in May during the Presidential Address at the 51st Annual Convention of the Association in Washington, D.C.

— Maria Valdovinos, College of Arts & Sciences

News & Achievements Archive

Zimpleman’s Mary Edrington Named Thomas F. Sheehan Distinguished Professor

The Zimpleman College of Business is proud to announce that Associate Professor Mary Edrington has been appointed as a Thomas F. Sheehan Distinguished Professor. In her 39 years of service to Drake, Professor Edrington has amassed a documented record of exceptional performance in the three criteria for appointment as a Sheehan Professor: exceptional teaching effectiveness, notable contributions to her field, and outstanding contributions to the college and university.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Dean, Zimpleman College of Business

HR Information Archive

Reminder: Complete Your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form

As a reminder, employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to continue receiving the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026 need to complete a physical exam with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Dec 1, 2025.  This is an annual event, so if you submitted one last year, you need to do it again this year.

If you already had your physical since last December, please fill out the form and turn it in now.  If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Some physician’s offices require a long lead time for appointments. Also note that our Wellmark health plan allows for one physical per calendar year, so you should not need to wait a year and a day between physicals.

Those on Drake’s health plan who complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, and submit a completed form by Dec. 1, 2025, will qualify for the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2026, which is a savings of over $30 per month.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please contact linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Call for Applications for 2025–2026 Iowa UNA College Ambassadors

The Iowa United Nations Association is proud to offer students at colleges and universities throughout Iowa the opportunity to join our advocacy efforts in support of the United Nations’ work on human rights, global health, sustainable development, gender equity, and climate action. The Iowa UNA will offer up to 10 students the opportunity to serve as College Ambassadors. Selected students will each receive $500 as a stipend. During this academic-year program, ambassadors will work with the Debra DeLaet, Executive Director of the Iowa UNA, and other volunteer leaders to amplify our advocacy messages on their home campuses and through their social media networks.

The deadline for applying is June 30. Please contact Professor Debra Delaet (debra.delaet@drake.edu) for detailed application instructions.

— Heath Henderson, Zimpleman College of Business

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

New Episodes of SPARC Podcast

We are excited to announce two new episodes of SPARC’ing a Conversation.

Episode 2 Dr. Pramod Mahajan | SPARC’ing a Conversation

Our second episode features Dr. Pramod Mahajan. He speaks about his experiences with funding ranging from NASA dollars to state dollars. He also gives us a look into his future endeavors to expand pharmacogenomic education.

Episode 3 Dr. Klaus Bartschat | SPARC’ing a Conversation

Our third episode features Dr. Klaus Bartschat, Ellis & Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Physics. He discusses his future goals after retirement and provides his decades worth of insight with the National Science Foundation.

If any individual is interested in discussing their research projects/endeavors on the podcast, please reach out to preston.miller@drake.edu.

— Preston Miller, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Election Results

The All Staff Council Governance/Policy Committee extends its congratulations to the following newly elected members!

Governance/Policy Committee

  • Matt Johnson, Law School

Recognition Committee

  • Alicia Hilligas, Office of Advising
  • Michelle Laughlin, Access & Success

Events/Community Service Committee

  • Matthew Cooper, University Advancement
  • Toni White, Academic Advising, Zimpleman College of Business
  • Gail Witte, Recreation

Special Interest Committee

  • Sydni Jennings, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
  • Nikki Krabbe, Access & Success
  • Jorge Romero-Castro, Music

Chair Elect

  • Lauren McCarthy, Zimpleman College of Business

—Suzanne Wisslead, on behalf of the All Staff Council Governance/Policy Committee

For Students Archive

Apply for DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville

Apply for the DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville program through Via Global.

Priority deadline: Monday, September 1

Scholarship deadline: Monday, September 15.

Drake is currently accepting applications for DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville, where you can study abroad in Spring 2026 in the vibrant capital of the Andalusia region of southern Spain.

This upcoming spring, a cohort of Drake students will study at the University of Seville with Drake Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability David Courard-Hauri. Students enroll in one Drake course and round out their semester credits taking a variety of courses taught by Spanish and international faculty. University of Seville courses can be pre-approved to count towards your major(s), minor(s), concentration, and/or AOIs.

Drake course offered:

ENS 050: Sustainable Food Systems in Southern Spain (AOIs: Engaged Citizen or Scientific Literacy)

When studying abroad on DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville, students are charged Drake tuition and keep their financial aid package, making your experience abroad comparable in cost to staying right here in Des Moines. In addition, we award over $100,000 in global learning scholarships every year!

If you have any questions, please reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu or schedule a study abroad advising meeting through Starfish.

— Emily Erschen, Global Engagement