All posts by Drinda Williams

Campus Announcements Archive

Called to be True Blue

Ann Guddall and Marietta Jackson were surprised with True Blue awards by the All Staff Council Recognition Committee this month.

Ann Guddall, budget manager, Academic Affairs, was recognized for “being reliable and generous with her time and expertise. Ann leads the academic budget officers and does so with thoughtful and clear communication. She is always direct and always professional. She has fostered so much teamwork among the BOMs.” Ann is a true example of We are All in This Together. She was nominated by Drinda Williams.

Marietta Jackson, Sodexo manager, was recognized for “always having a smile on her face and being happy to go the extra mile to make sure everything goes smoothly at the register and behind the counter. Marietta is the pentacle of customer service and is very welcoming to all.” Marietta is a true example of Joyful Accountability. She was nominated by Teresa Downs.

If you would like to recognize a staff member for being True Blue, visit our webpage to learn more and submit a nomination.

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Law School’s Laurie Doré and Mark Bennett selected for Supreme Court task force

The Supreme Court’s task force to review the Iowa Rules of Evidence will include Laurie Doré, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law, and the Honorable Mark W. Bennett, director of the Drake University Law School Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen established the Iowa Rules of Evidence Substantive Review Task Force to evaluate and recommend substantive updates to the Rules of Evidence. The task force is charged with comparing the Iowa Rules of Evidence to their federal counterparts, identifying differences, and providing input to the Supreme Court regarding conforming changes.

Professor Doré is an expert on Iowa evidence and civil procedure. She has authored the Iowa Practice Series, Vol. 7: Evidence (West) since 2009. She has taught Evidence at Drake Law School since 1992.  Hon. Mark W. Bennett (ret.) served a total of 28 years on the bench as a U.S. district court judge in the Northern District of Iowa (1994-2019; chief judge 2000-2007) and U.S. magistrate judge in the Southern District of Iowa (1991-1994.) He has presided over more than 300 jury trials in six federal courts spanning the Middle District of Florida to the District of the Northern Mariana Islands and has authored numerous articles on improving trial practice.

“We are proud of the experience and expertise Judge Bennett and Professor Doré offer this process,” said Jerry Anderson, Dean of Drake Law School. “They will be invaluable assets to the important work of this task force.”

— Theresa Howard, Law School

For Faculty Archive

Community Engaged Learning faculty conversations

This fall the Office of Community Engaged Learning is facilitating a Community of Practice focused on Changemaking.

Changemaking has become the umbrella term we are using to inspire a culture of students with a bias toward action—whether as an entrepreneur or engaged citizen—to challenge prevailing social issues. It is also the theme of our spring Global Citizen Forum and one of the priority themes of our next comprehensive campaign.

If you missed our first Changemaking 101 session, a recording of the session is available on the CEL website. (Select the Community of Practice drop down).

 Our second session, “Moving from Direct Service to Social Innovation: The Drake Way,” is scheduled for Oct. 5 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Building upon our Changemaking 101 session (slides attached, review the recording by clicking the Community of Practice drop down) we will dig into what Changemaking can look like in practice at Drake and continue to explore the Grinnell Service and Social Innovation model in context to Drake’s culture and campus. We will also introduce the Pathways of Civic Action and Social Change, explore Drake examples in action, and provide room for you to share current social change projects you and your students are working on.

Please contact Renee Sedlacek Lee, director of Community Engaged Learning, at renee.sedlacek@drake.edu to register.

— Renee Cramer, Provost’s Office

For Staff Archive

Task force for remote and flexible work update: The home stretch

If you have been monitoring our updates, you already know that the task force has been busy examining options for staff policies addressing remote work and flexible work arrangements. The task force is currently putting its recommendations in writing and finalizing some related draft documents. At present, the task force remains on track to complete its work in the first week of October.

From the perspective of the task force members, this has been a really interesting journey, but not necessarily an easy one. We are trying to think about a post-crisis landscape, while we still navigate through the existing pandemic. We also recognize that Drake is a complex organization and options that may work beautifully in one unit may not be feasible in another. We do not want to make recommendations that are so broad that they are useless, yet they cannot be so specific that they lack the flexibility to be applicable across the institution.

The task force has come to appreciate that Drake made some adjustments—and possibly even some compromises—during the darkest days of the pandemic because we had to. In examining practices for long-term adoption, we must apply a different lens. For purposes of the task force’s work, we have focused on sustainable change and modernization of how the institution can manage and engage staff.

Nevertheless, the task force is optimistic about what lies ahead. “From the survey results to industry articles, it is clear that employees desire increased flexibility and autonomy in determining how they accomplish the tasks of their role. While this requires a needed shift to assessing performance based on productivity versus presence, I believe we can collectively excel,” observes task force member Andy Verlengia, director of Alumni Relations.

In the end, we hope our hard work and recommendations will help the institution take an important and lasting step forward. We would like to think that this is an example of positive change and meaningful collaboration stemming from a most challenging time—a silver lining for both the institution and its staff.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

Strategic Updates Archive

Great Colleges To Work For: Focus on communication

In last week’s OnCampus, the Drake community reviewed highlights from the 2021 Great Colleges To Work For (GC2WF) survey. Based on themes in survey responses, three focus areas have been identified for the year. As a reminder these are:

  1. Ensure a consistent and robust cascade of communication;
  2. Facilitate re-connection and attend to our culture; and
  3. Leverage internal, professional development opportunities for leaders.

While the GC2WF survey results are insightful and enlightening for big picture purposes, we need to drill deeper to identify concrete opportunities for improvement for each of these three focus areas. Your targeted suggestions and specific ideas for change and innovation in each area are what we need now. From there, we will work on pulling together proposals and initiatives for concentrated efforts in each these areas.

For the next few weeks, we’ll focus on idea-gathering relating to the first priority. Please share your ideas on ensuring a consistent and robust cascade of communication is shared with and accessible to faculty and staff.

How can you contribute?

First, you can complete this short survey. It consists of 3 questions asking for your ideas, suggestions, and observations about communication. The survey should only take a couple minutes, but it will be of tremendous help to us. This survey is open now and will be open through Oct. 5.

Another option is to attend one of two virtual brain-storming sessions. In these sessions, we will first talk a bit more about the GC2WF survey, review existing communication practices, and then we’ll share ideas for how to improve communication practices:

  • Communication Brainstorming Session 1: Thursday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join via Teams.
  • Communication Brainstorming Session 2: Friday, Sept. 24, from 2–3 p.m. Join via Teams.

In future OnCampus issues, we’ll share your feedback and focus on what actions can be taken to ensure there is a consistent and robust cascade of communication. Once we feel we have a firm plan of action addressing the first priority, we’ll move on to the second priority focusing on connection and culture.

Quick Note on Pulse Surveys: Drake regularly relies on surveys to gather ideas and feedback. As a reminder, the GC2WF survey in the spring and the Administrative Services survey in the fall are the two primary annual surveys used to gather regular and general feedback from campus. Some colleges and departments conduct targeted annual surveys as well.

You should also expect to see periodic invitations to respond to short, pulse surveys—such as the one linked above—designed to solicit either quick feedback or diver deeper into a narrow topic. While we expect employees to participate in the GC2WF and Administrative Services surveys and comply with college or department expectations for responding to targeted surveys, pulse surveys are optional, even if participation is encouraged and helpful.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources, and Nate Reagan, President’s Office

For Faculty Archive

Curriculum, croissants, and conversation

The Deputy Provost’s Office will be hosting a series of open meetings for interdisciplinary conversations about how to make sure our curriculum delivers on its promises. We’ll announce a full schedule soon; some of these meetings will be focused on particular areas of the curriculum, some will be meant to help departments and units collaborate across institutional boundaries. All of them will be open-ended and meant to help faculty ask good questions, know where to find good answers, and think across disciplines.

This first conversation is wide open, and especially welcoming of department chairs and associate deans who want to talk about leading curricular change. We will meet in person in Howard Hall in the Academic Affairs conference room (2nd floor) on Thursday, Sept. 23, from 3:30–5 p.m. There will be croissants from La Mie. No need to sign up—just show up—but feel free to email renee.cramer@drake.edu with questions or thoughts prior to the gathering.

— Renee Cramer, Provost’s Office

Strategic Updates Archive

Get your flu shot on campus now through Oct. 15

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is partnering with Hy-Vee Pharmacy to offer flu vaccinations on campus at the Harkin Center, 2800 University Avenue, for Drake University faculty, staff, and students.

Step 1: Sign up for an appointment
Appointments will be offered on Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Fridays, 12 to 3 p.m., from now through Oct. 15.

Step 2:
IMPORTANT: Two to three days prior to your appointment (and not earlier than two weeks prior), please complete the online Hy-Vee vaccination consent form and enter your prescription insurance information at: https://tinyurl.com/HyVeeFluForm .

  • Please note on the Hy-Vee online form: You will be asked to select an appointment time, so please select the same day/time you selected for your scheduled appointment on this Drake sign-up form you are completing now.
  • You must complete this online consent form at least 2 days prior to your scheduled the flu clinic appointment.

Prescription insurance is required for this flu vaccination clinic. (We are unable to accept cash/credit card payments for services at this clinic). Most insurance plans cover the cost of a flu vaccination.

For individuals without prescription insurance, flu vaccinations are available for $25 at the Drake Student Health Center. Contact the Drake Student Health Center to make an appointment at: 515–271–3731.

— Nora Stelter, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Faculty and staff affinity groups begin

The Office of Campus Equity and Inclusion is glad to support faculty and staff affinity groups. Please see the following descriptions, schedules, and contact information for existing and emerging groups. If you are interested in starting an affinity group that aligns to further Drake’s stated institutional mission for diversity, equity and inclusion, please reach out directly to Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion Jennifer Harvey.

The AAPI Faculty and Staff Affinity group welcomes all AAPI faculty and staff to join. You will be able to connect and network with other AAPI faculty and staff on campus. Please come to our visioning meeting on Monday, Sept. 27, at 3:30 p.m. We will meet outside at the covered space just east of Colliers-Scripps to determine how we can support the AAPI campus population. We will plan meetings and events based on what serves AAPI faculty and staff best. Please contact Maureen Yuen (maureen.yuen@drake.edu) with any questions and also  if you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to be included in AAPI Affinity communications and future events.

The Black Faculty and Staff Affinity group welcomes all Black faculty and staff to join us for our virtual Brown Bag Lunch Fellowship on Microsoft Teams. You will be able to connect and network with other Black faculty and staff on campus. We will meet on the first Friday of each month starting Oct. 1. We will hold space between 12 and 1:30 pm. You may join us from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 pm or anytime in between. To receive a Teams invite, email brandi.l.miller@drake.edu.

The Jewish Affinity group: Shalom and welcome to a new school year at Drake! Jewish faculty staff are welcome and encouraged to join Drake’s Faculty and Staff Jewish Affinity Group. The group supports each other—and Jewish students on campus—at many times of the year. In the past, Jewish faculty and staff have noshed together on bagels, enjoyed Shabbat dinner and Passover Seders with Drake Hillel, and more. Affinity group members will also be on our email list for future communications. Please email Lilianna.bernstein@drake.edu to join our group.

The Latinx Affinity group is a space for LatinX faculty and staff to get to know one another socially and provide support for each other. We will be planning an outdoor gathering later this fall. Please email marina.verlengia@drake.edu to be included on our distribution list and to get information about our fall gathering. We also have a Facebook group, please click here to join.

The Office of Campus Equity and Inclusion is particularly interested in exploring whether faculty and staff with disabilities and/or who identify as lgbtq+ would like to form an affinity group to provide mutual support and connection. Please reach out directly to Jennifer Harvey if you would be interested in facilitating such a group.

— Jennifer Harvey, Campus Equity and Inclusion

Campus Announcements Archive

Get a taste for these new chefs’ culinary skills

Meet Executive Chef Angela Shultz
Chef Angela is originally from Hancock, Iowa, and received her AAS in Culinary Arts from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids—but it wasn’t long until her education and pursuit of her craft took her to the pacific northwest where she gained extensive experience in everything from fast-food to fine dining.

She’s been with Sodexo for seven-plus years now, and recently moved from Seattle to get back to her Iowa roots with the Drake Dining team, and we’re thrilled to see chef in action at Hubbell Dining Hall. “I love new challenges,” she said. “We have so much diversity in our kitchen and I can’t wait to work alongside our team and learn their food and culture. I’m so excited about all the possibilities this new dining hall can offer.”

Chef Kevin Fletcher
Chef Kevin was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, where he cut his teeth and honed his culinary skills in fast-paced casino kitchens and healthcare systems where high-volume food production was the name of the game. He joined the Drake Dining team in Spring of 2020. Chef Kevin’s favorite ingredient to work with is lamb, but also loves to experiment with different types of chocolate.

He’s eager to flex his culinary chops in the newly remodeled Hubbell Dining Hall, and says, “I’m most excited to show the new, innovative and fun ideas that we’re cooking up for the new school year!” Look for Chef Kevin next time you dine at the Hubb!

— Casey Morgan, Dining Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Outdoor movie events to benefit Varsity Cinema

The Des Moines Film Society will be hosting outdoor movie events on September 17 and 18 at the corner of 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue, just steps away from the Varsity. All proceeds go to the redevelopment and reopening of the Varsity Cinema.

Popcorn, snacks, and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Bring a chair or blanket, sit on the lawn, and enjoy the show! Limited tickets are available. Advance purchase is recommended.

The Friday, Sept. 17, show will be Moon Rise Kingdom. A pre-show DJ set from The Dust Bros., inspired by the music of Wes Anderson, will begin at 7 p.m.

The Saturday, Sept. 18, show is a special advanced screening of Storm Lake. There will be a post-screening Q&A with the film’s directors and Art Cullen, editor of the Storm Lake Times.

Find more information

— Ryan Arnold, Director, Community Engagement