All posts by Carla Herling

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Blackboard Learn Ultra Instructor Orientation Training: Modules 8 and 9 now available

We know that the end of the semester is a busy time, so these will be the final modules released during the spring semester. Module 8 is focused on Bulk Editing and Communication Tools and Module 9 (optional, but highly recommended) dives deeper into best practices for course design including Accessibility and Accommodations.

If you want additional resources beyond the instructor orientation self-paced course, there are more training options available:

  • Design Dialogues: Design Dialogues cover topics around Learn Ultra and will be held during spring and summer. These sessions are led by Drake Online and Continuing Education and are held every other Thursday. Visit the “Design Dialogue” Upcoming Events page to see future topics and/or register. Recordings of Design Dialogues will be available on the Faculty Resources. Scroll down to Online Design Dialogue Recordings.
  • Blackboard Instructor Webinar Series: Additional training courses are available from Blackboard, but they might not exactly match Drake’s implementation. Sign up for the live or recorded Blackboard Instructor Webinar Series. If you are unable to attend, they will email you a link to the session recording.

As a reminder, we are providing these training opportunities now to allow you sufficient time to prepare your Fall 2021 courses in the Ultra Course View. You are expected to complete the self-paced training well before Fall. If you wait until just before the semester, it will be challenging to get your questions answered. In addition, you must complete the self-paced training prior to participating in any advanced training opportunities.

— Karly Good, ITS

For Students Archive

Apply for a J-Term 2022 travel seminar

Reminder: Apply for a J-Term 2022 travel seminar today! The priority deadline is April 15. 

Visit the J-Term 2022 Travel Seminars webpage for detailed information on the available travel seminars and courses. Then, be sure to apply in Terra Dotta, our online application system. 

After April 15, applications will be reviewed and students will be notified of their application status (accepted, waitlisted, denial) by May 1. Please carefully review the following information if you are interested in participating in going abroad or on a domestic program for J-Term 2022:

Deposits and Independent Withdrawals: After acceptance, to secure your spot on a travel seminar, you will need to commit to the program in Terra Dotta, pay your $500 deposit, and complete Terra Dotta post acceptance steps. Given the impact of COVID-19 on students and families, we have temporarily revised our deposit refund policy. If you choose to independently withdraw prior to Sept. 15, your deposit will be refunded. Withdrawals must be done in writing to nathan.jacobson@drake.edu. If after Sept. 15 you decide you want to withdraw from the program, you will be subject to Drake’s withdrawal and refund policies. Because of this, we strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with our withdrawal and refund policies which can be found in Terra Dotta.

Please be assured that your health and safety is of utmost importance. Given that this is an ever-evolving global situation, applicants will be notified if we make a change to the policy regarding J-Term travel seminars. Should you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu.

J-Term 2022 Application Timeline:

— April 15: Priority Deadline

— May 1: Accept/waitlist Students who applied by April 15

— May 15: Students Commit in Terra Dotta and pay a $500 Deposit to secure their place in the program

— April 15–Sept. 15: Students can still apply if travel seminars have openings; deposits are due within two weeks of acceptance

— Sept. 15: Final day to apply and final day for deposit refunds

Nathan Jacobson, Education Abroad Coordinator

For Students Archive

Wellness is hiring

GroupX Instructor: Looking to workout, encourage, and guide others to reach their exercise potential? GroupX instructors have the opportunity to teach a variety of formats, including HIIT, Cardio Kickboxing, Yoga, Pilates, Hip-hop, and plenty more! We offer flexibility in choosing which format you would like to teach. Our instructors teach 1–2 times each week depending on your availability. Prior experience is not required for this position, instead, each instructor undergoes a thorough training program before teaching independently. CPR certification is required but can be completed through Drake Recreational Services.

OA wellness: This office assistant position encompasses all things wellness. A large part of this role is helping organize the GroupX schedule and tracking weekly attendance for these classes. Along with this, the OA administers body composition tests and fitness assessments. This person will be recording wellness tips, weekly workouts, and other social media updates as needed. Other miscellaneous responsibilities include, reservations on EMS and Fusion, organization and inventory needs, upkeep and cleaning of the fitness studio, and answering any questions sent to the wellness email. This position is around 10 hours/week with flexible hours and requires no prior experience.

Personal Trainer: Gain some experience in personal training by working here at Drake! As a trainer you will work with the office assistant to learn more about the client, the number of sessions they are interested in, and what their personal training goals are to tailor each program to the client. After an inquiry is filled out, clients are assigned based on availability overlap with the trainer. After the client has paid for the sessions, the trainer has flexibility to reserve space in the fitness studio whenever is needed, aside from during Group Fitness class. This position requires a personal training certification, but no prior experience.

OA personal training: This office assistant position focuses on personal training at Drake. After receiving personal training inquiries, this position is responsible for reaching out to the client and gathering waivers, and matching the client with a trainer. This person is responsible for all communication with the client about payment and once the client has paid, you will work with the trainer to reserve space on Fusion. This position is around 1–3 hours/week with flexible hours and does not require prior experience or personal training certification.

— Emily Madsen, Recreational Services

For Students Archive

Seeking applications for residence hall desk assistants

The Office of Residence Life is looking to hire a team of students to serve as desk assistants in each of the seven residence halls, as well as in the Office of Residence Life, in lower Olmsted, for the 2021–2022 academic year.

Access the application. Applications are due Sunday, July 18, at 11:59 p.m.

Desk assistants will be employed starting Aug. 1* with preseason** ending Aug. 31.* Regular academic year employment will begin Wednesday, Sept. 1* ending Saturday, May 14* at the end of spring term. You will be asked to indicate whether you are interested in serving during preseason, preseason and academic year, or academic year only on the application. Academic year virtual orientation will be Monday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m.* *subject to change.

Contact Sara Schilling with questions at sara.schilling@drake.edu.

— Randy E McMullin, Office of Residence Life

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

ICYMI: Watch the faculty/staff ‘Smile Slideshow’

Thank you to everyone who contributed a photo for Drake’s Smile Video Slideshow.

A collaboration between Human Resources and the All Staff Council, this short video showcases what has made Drake persevere through all the challenges and changes this past year—YOU!

Take a moment to enjoy your colleague’s smiling faces. Behind those smiles are dozens of stories of strength and community for family, friends, and neighbors. As we cautiously allow ourselves to feel a sense of optimism going forward, there will still be difficult days. On those days, let this short video give you a smile, and know that your Drake family is here.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

New Spanish minor for the medical and health professions

The Department of World Languages and Cultures is pleased to offer a new minor in Spanish for medical and health professions beginning in Fall 2021. The minor assists students interested in pursuing careers in medicine and various health professions, including public health, pharmacy, and other areas in developing linguistic and cultural competencies related to Spanish and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. These competencies will assist them in providing services to Spanish-speaking patients and co-workers. The new minor will require 18 hours, include a core of 12 hours and six hours of electives.

The minor is available to students in all colleges and schools. This is not a common program in the U.S. and will aid students in seeking employment after graduation due to the features of the curriculum.

For more specific information or any questions, contact worldlanguages@drake.edu or a WLC faculty member.

— Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, World Languages and Cultures

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

April phishing education

Recently, Drake has seen an increase in phishing emails designed to look like they have been sent by senior administrators, such as President’s Council members or Deans, to members of that person’s staff.

Often these messages indicate that the supposed sender needs the receiver to take some sort of discrete action and specifically requests that the receiver not call them, but respond via email. The body of a recent message of this type said simply:

“Do you have a moment? I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am going to a meeting, no calls so just reply to my email. I will be glad if you reply to this email as soon as it gets to you.”

They often appear hastily written and urgent, and ask the receiver to take immediate action. These are the signals that should remind you to slow down and take a closer look.

Before taking any step, use another channel to confirm the request is from the person who appears to be the requestor. Manually type the presumed sender’s email address in another email message (rather than just replying to the initial email) and ask for confirmation. Using the chat feature in Microsoft Teams or sending a text message, if you have the person’s cell phone number, are also effective alternate-channel communications.

Messages that ask you to take urgent action should be treated with caution. Cyber criminals want you to feel pressured to move quickly and they are skilled at creating a sense of urgency. Your best response is to be cautious of unexpected or out of character email messages and confirm their legitimacy before taking action.

ITS will be continuing phishing education this month using emails that mimic real attacks. A short training lesson will be assigned to any faculty and staff who repeatedly click links or open attachments in phishing emails, simulated or not.

For additional information on how to report phishing emails, please see the IT Service Portal guide, Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

— Information Security, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake MSLD leadership conference

The Drake University Masters of Science in Leadership Development (MSLD) community is coming together (virtually) for a first annual conference Friday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a social hour Thursday, April 29, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The conference is free and open to anyone who is willing to learn more about leadership.

Register here

The program will be designed to serve emerging and aspiring leaders in business, industry, and non-profit organizations who are interested in developing both their leadership ability and leadership capacity in others. The theme this year is leading change.

The conference is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and brought to you by MSLD graduate students.

Visit the website to learn more. For questions, contact Carissa Popp at carissa.popp@drake.edu.

— Carissa Popp, P3,GR