All posts by Taylor Johnson

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Law Establishes Sabrina Ray Endowed Fund to Advance Children’s Rights Advocacy

Drake University Law School has received a $300,000 gift from the Sease & Wadding Law Firm to support the Children’s Rights Clinic, in memory of Sabrina Ray, a 16-year-old whose death in 2017 reinforced the need for continued evaluation and improvement of Iowa’s child welfare system.

The donation is part of a $4.175 million settlement between the State of Iowa and a sibling of Sabrina Ray. This gift has established the new Sabrina Ray Endowed Fund for the Children’s Rights Clinic at Drake Law School. The fund will support two key initiatives that honor Sabrina’s life and strengthen legal advocacy for vulnerable youth:

  • The Ray of Hope Award, presented annually at the Drake Supreme Court Celebration Banquet, will recognize a student in the Children’s Rights Clinic whose advocacy on behalf of children in the juvenile court system inspires hope for a better future.
  • The Sabrina Ray Justice for Children Summer Fellowship will support rising second and third year law students who secure internships with non-profit or government agencies specializing in juvenile law. The fellowship includes a stipend for summer living expenses and funding to attend a national child welfare training or conference. It aims to remove financial barriers for students entering the field and expand the pipeline of future child advocates.

“Finances are often a barrier for law students interested in public interest legal work on behalf of children,” said Professor Nickole Miller, Director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights. “I am particularly excited about the creation of the Sabrina Ray Justice for Children Summer Fellowship which will provide generous summer funding for Drake Law students to intern at children’s rights organizations and attend child welfare-focused law conferences. The fellowship, together with the new Ray of Hope Award recognizing student excellence in the Children’s Rights Clinic, build strong children’s attorneys and envision a future where all children are safe, supported, and empowered.”

The Children’s Rights Clinic provides direct representation to children in child welfare and juvenile justice proceedings. The endowed fund strengthens Drake Law’s mission to train practice-ready attorneys while advancing justice for society’s most vulnerable.

“Sabrina Ray deserved a strong legal advocate and safe and loving home. These funds will be used to honor the life and legacy of Sabrina Ray by supporting and celebrating the next generation of children’s rights attorneys and giving them the tools and experiences needed to be zealous, child-centered advocates,” said Professor Miller.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Campus Announcements Archive

You’re Invited to Celebrate Griff II’s 7th Birthday

Griff II will be celebrating his 7th birthday at the NEW Black Cat location in Valley Junction (134 5th Street, West Des Moines) from 1–3 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. All are welcome—please join us! There will be a special birthday-themed ice cream flavor in honor of the occasion, and, instead of gifts, we invite you to bring donations (non-perishable food and personal hygiene items) for the Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood. There is no better way for Griff to celebrate his special day than to help the community in his honor. We’ll see you there!

— Erin Bell, University Communications and Marketing

Campus Announcements Archive

Cooling System Work at Johansen Student Center

In July, the University will be working with the building contractor on warranty repairs for the heating and cooling systems. To complete this work, the cooling systems of one floor must be taken offline, one at a time, for a one week duration. The sequence of repairs will be as follows:

1st Floor : July 7 thru July 11

2nd Floor :  July 14 thru July 18

Ground Floor : July 21 – July 25

3rd Floor : July 28 – August 1

While repairs are being made on one floor, the cooling system will remain operational on the other three floors.  Students and staff will have the options to: work remotely, remain in their uncooled (warm) office and meeting spaces while contractors occupy the space and work is being conducted on the respective floor, or temporarily office in one of the many JSC conference rooms or open areas throughout the building.

— Heather Winslow, Capital Projects – Project Administrator

Campus Announcements Archive

Join the Move-In Crew

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help welcome our newest students on Wednesday, Aug. 20, as part of the Move-In Crew.

Move-In Crew Sign Up

This is your chance to bring the energy, ease the stress, and create a warm first impression for first-years and their families as they settle into campus life.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Sign up for a 2-hour shift anytime between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM
  • Stay for one shift or sign up for multiple. You are welcome to come and go as your schedule allows.
  • Tasks include curbside check-in, unloading cars, moving items, offering directions, and sharing that signature Drake spirit.

Once you register, you’ll receive an email on Monday, Aug. 18, with everything you need to know, including where to check in and what to expect on the day.

Let’s give our new students the warmest welcome yet!

Move-In Crew Sign Up

— Lynne Cornelius, Associate Dean of Students

Campus Announcements Archive

Expended Mental Health Support for Students

Drake University is now partnering with TimelyCare to deliver a new virtual health and well-being platform for students. Through either a mobile app or your desktop, TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to virtual care from anywhere in the United States at no cost.

As part of our commitment to providing a wide breadth of services that meets the needs of every student on campus, Drake University has partnered with TimelyCare to offer students free and equitable access to mental health support. TimelyCare replaces our previous provider, UWill, and will serve as an extension of our campus health and counseling center resources. This partnership aims to enhance student well-being, engagement, and retention by ensuring timely and comprehensive support for all students.

Whether you’re feeling under the weather, anxious, or overwhelmed, you can talk to a licensed provider to get the care you need via phone or secure video visits.

How can I access TimelyCare?
Visit TimelyCare or download the TimelyCare app from your app store and register with your Drake email address. You can then start visits from any web-enabled device  smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop anywhere in the United States.

Who can use TimelyCare?
Any enrolled student.

What services are available?

  • TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support.
  • Self-Care Content: 24/7 access to self-care tools and resources, such as meditation
    and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.
  • Peer Community: An anonymous and judgment-free space where you can connect with, react to, and support other students going through similar situations.

How much does a visit cost?
TimelyCare services are available at no cost to Drake University students.

The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to a report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, 69% of students in bachelor’s degree programs who considered dropping out cited emotional stress as their reason.

Through TimelyCare on a phone or other device, Drake University students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors in all 50 states (at no cost and without the barrier of traditional insurance) including:

  • On-demand mental health and emotional support (TalkNow)
  • Care navigation
  • Peer support community
  • Digital self-care content

The partnership with TimelyCare allows Drake University to deliver a hybrid model of care in collaboration with on-campus resources. Benefits to students include:

  • Convenient 24/7 care: Physical and mental health issues often present themselves outside regular business hours, and TimelyCare makes seeking support or treatment easy and convenient as making a video or phone call.
  • Diverse provider network: TimelyCare’s diverse and culturally responsive provider network reflects and is proud to serve students who embody diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, religion and worldview, language, health, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and immigration status, and more. More than half of mental health providers identify as people of color. The platform also offers professionals who identify as LGBTQIA+, speak multiple languages, and translation services to support more than 240 languages. Students scheduling services can choose to meet with a specific provider or select the first available.
  • Peace of mind: TimelyCare is a safe, secure, URAC-accredited and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows campus-specific protocols to facilitate care coordination and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.

TimelyCare licensed providers are available to offer emotional support via phone or secure video visits. If you have questions, visit TimelyCare or email your campus representative – lynne.cornelius@drake.edu.

— Lynne Cornelius, Associate Dean of Students

Campus Announcements Archive

Parking Passes for Sale for Upcoming Academic Year

Parking permit sales for the upcoming academic year will begin on Tuesday, July 1.  Please visit Public Safety’s parking page and select “Online Parking Registration” to register for your pass. Please make sure to have your license plate number available at the time of registration.

Permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and we ask that all permit sales be done online.  An email confirmation will be sent to you when your pass is ready to be picked up at the Student Services Desk in the JOHANSEN CENTER (temporary space for summer/early fall). Please bring an ID for verification.

  • Resident passes: $400 (blue, 24/7 parking)
  • Premium passes: $290 (yellow, Olmsted lot; red, Ray Promenade lots)
  • Perimeter passes: $130 (all orange and purple lots)
  • Evening/Weekend passes: $100 (valid from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends)

Passes are valid from August to August and will be available to pick up in the Student Services Center (Johansen) in August.

Please visit drake.edu/map to see where the lots are located, and contact studentservices@drake.edu for questions.

— Sara Heijerman, Finance & Administration

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Call for Participants: FYS Writing Pedagogy Group, Fall 2025

This group will focus on writing instruction, activities, assignments, and assessments for First-Year Seminar. Instructors who participate in this project will have a one-semester commitment that will include:

• Working with the Director of Writing, Megan Brown, on the development of a writing assignment, writing activities, or a writing project for their FYS.

• Attending an individual meeting at the start of the semester (or during the summer if preferred) to work on writing assignment ideas.

• Attending meetings of all participants in the program in August/September, at approximately midterm, and at end of Fall 2025 semester. These meetings may be structured as two sessions each time, with half of the participants at each session, in order to facilitate more in-depth discussion.

• Requiring all students enrolled in their FYS to attend tutoring sessions at the Writing Center at least twice during the semester.

• Submitting samples of student writing and a brief critical reflection at the end of the semester.

After the initial meeting(s) with the Director of Writing to develop a writing assignment or writing project, participants will receive a stipend of $250.

Participation is limited to 10 individuals. Instructors who have not taught FYS in the past will be prioritized. You are also welcome to enroll if you’ve taught FYS before, participated in this group before, or would like to discuss writing for first-year students in courses other than FYS.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Kendra Colbert (kendra.colbert@drake.edu) by June 30. (Note: if you miss this deadline and you want to participate, please check anyway—summer is not necessarily the best time for getting people signed up.)

If you have questions, contact Megan Brown (megan.brown@drake.edu).

— Megan Brown, College of Arts & Sciences

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