All posts by Maria Valdovinos

News & Achievements Archive

4+1 Program in Applied Behavior Analysis

The master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis has launched a 4+1 program (currently open to juniors who have met all the prerequisites: 3.0 GPA, junior standing, PSY60 and SPED153). Applied Behavior Analysis builds upon the science of learning and behavior to address and address and impact socially significant behavior change across various settings (e.g., clinical, school, organizational) with different populations (e.g., children with autism or other developmental disabilities, children who engage in challenging behavior, adults in residential settings, organizational behavior management). Below is a video that provides information on the ABA program at Drake. If you have questions about admissions or the admission process, contact Pamela Moore (pamela.moore@drake.edu). If you have questions about ABA, the curriculum, or career options within ABA, contact Dr. Valdovinos (maria.valdovinos@drake.edu).

ABA program informational video: https://drakeedu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/acad-as-aba/Ea4M2hG6qVRHg_eHpZJaAI8BAhx1yI52zEQvm5F4YMj-7Q

Report referenced in video: https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/US-Employment-Demand-for-Behavior-Analysts_2020_.pdf

ABA program website:  https://www.drake.edu/aba/

— Maria Valdovinos, Professor of Psychology

Campus Announcements Archive

Re-examining Pragmatism in Constitutional Interpretation: 2021 Drake Constitutional Law Symposium

The Drake Constitutional Law Center will host the 2021 Constitutional Law Symposium on Saturday, April 17, from 8:40 a.m. to 12 p.m. The program will be delivered virtually via Zoom. This year, speakers will examine pragmatism as a method of constitutional interpretation.

Pragmatism is considered the most significant contribution by the United States to global philosophy. Ironically, pragmatism is not considered one of the dominant methods of constitutional interpretation used by the Supreme Court. Originalism receives much public attention. Its focus is largely on what the Constitution’s framers would have wanted, though there are many variations.

This symposium is meant to re-examine pragmatism in constitutional interpretation from several different perspectives. These include feminist approaches, race-conscious views, Posnerian contexts, empirically grounded types, brand new pluralistic theories, and criticisms. It will also highlight the strengths, weaknesses, and relationships between constitutional pragmatism, and other interpretation methods.

The symposium will feature a slate of nationally renowned scholars discussing these important topics:

Interpretive Factions in a Pluralistic Constitutional Universe
Brian E. Butler, Professor of Philosophy and the Thomas Howerton Distinguished Professor of Humanities, University of North Carolina-Asheville

Legal Pragmatism and the Presidency
Daniel Farber, Sho Sato Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Center for Law, Energy, & the Environment, University of California, Berkeley

Incremental Meets Intersectional: Today’s (Feminist and Womanist) Pragmatisms
Linda E. McClain, Robert Kent Professor of Law, Boston University School of Law

Forms of Pragmatism
Robert L. Tsai, Professor of Law, Boston University School of Law

Constitutional Pragmatism and Abortion
Mark Kende, Director, Drake Constitutional Law Center, James Madison Chair Professor in Constitutional Law, Drake University Law School

Registration is free and open to the public. Register online at 2021-constitutional-law-symposium.eventbrite.com. Registrants may pre-order a copy of the Drake Law Review Symposium issue for $10.

If you have questions about the Symposium or need further information, contact Trish Trombino, 515-271-2988, theresa.trombino@drake.edu.

Learn more about the Drake Constitutional Law Center.

— Theresa Howard, Law School

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

‘Famous Last Words’ from this year’s retirees

On Thursday, April 15, we will honor six of our faculty colleagues retiring from Drake at the end of this academic year.

Professors Sally Beisser (Education), Ed Bell (Pharmacy), Ramesh Dhussa (Geography), Dorothy Pisarski (Advertising), Nancy Reincke (English), Michael Rieck (Computer Science), and John Rozycki (Finance) have amassed nearly 200 years of collective experience and wisdom about Drake and higher education. On Thursday, April 15, we’ll honor their service to Drake and mark their retirement at an online event co-hosted by the Office of the Provost and the Center for Teaching Excellence.

“Famous Last Words” will air from 3 to 5 p.m. and will allow us to spend some time with Sally, Ed, Ramesh, Dorothy, Nancy, Michael, and John. Drawing on their experience and observations over the years, they will briefly share their insights about how Drake, as an institution, can continue to thrive in the midst of new and pressing challenges to higher education in the U.S. Following their remarks, we’ll open the (virtual) floor for Q&A.

Too often, we have allowed our departing colleagues to take their wisdom with them. Please take advantage of this opportunity to hear this year’s retirees’ “Famous Last Words,” to learn from them one last time, and to wish them well.

Please register in advance. Login information will be sent by email prior to the event.

— Sandra Harris, Provost’s Office

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