All posts by Bret Sikkink

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Panel discussion on generative AI: Navigating Student Use

The Center for Teaching & Learning will host panel discussions about generative AI topics this fall. The panelists will be Drake faculty members who are using generative AI in their classrooms and for their research. Come learn more about this transformative technology from your colleagues across the University.

The first panel, “Navigating Student Use of Generative AI”, will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Howard Hall, Room 212. The panelists are Alanah Mitchell (Zimpleman), Amy Letter (College of Arts & Sciences, English), and Dan Chibnall (Cowles Library).

Later this semester, we will be discussing how to use generative AI for instructional use, and how to use generative AI to further your research and scholarship.

The sessions are informal and you can come and go as your schedule allows. To give us an idea of how many to plan for, please open the event on the Campus Calendar and click on I’m Interested.

— Bret Sikkink, Faculty Development Specialist

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council fall bake-off and costume contest

All Staff Council is holding a fall bake-off competition and costume contest on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 12–1:30 p.m. by the Pomerantz Stage in the Olmsted Center. You are welcome to participate in one or both contests, or just come for the event and cheer on your colleagues. And for just $5 you can also get a chili lunch.

Bake-Off: Calling all bakers to another sweet bake-off competition. Bring your “A” game with your most delicious and decadent fall inspired dessert baked goods to be judged in this spirited competition. Judging will start at 11:45 a.m. with the goal to have samples of the desserts ready (while they last) for those enjoying the chili lunch.  The top three winners will receive prizes. Click HERE to register.

Costume Contest: Do you like to get spooky for Halloween? Do your kids always have the best costumes on the block? Do your pets love/hate you for dressing them up? To enter the costume contest, simply take a picture of yourself, your kids, and/or your pets and send it to Tiffany Hach at tiffany.hach@drake.edu no later than 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Pictures will be displayed in a slide show during the bake-off contest/chili luncheon for all to enjoy. Winners will be announced in OnCampus, and prizes awarded in two categories: 1) Adults and 2) Kids/Pets. Recent pictures only, and they must be appropriate, but have fun with it!

Chili Lunch:  In addition to the contest, please come enjoy community building and a chili lunch (plus dessert samples while they last) for $5.  If you’re not interested in the lunch, but want to attend and support your competing colleagues, please feel free to join us at no charge.

— Linda Feiden, On behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive

Call for Applicants: Faculty Success Program

The National Council for Faculty Development & Diversity’s most popular program is the Faculty Success Program, an intensive session that includes individualized coaching, weekly training, and cohort-based community. The Center for Teaching & Learning has one fully-paid scholarship seat in the 2025 Program which runs from Jan. 27 to April 6. For more information about the Faculty Success Program, visit the NCFDD website.

To apply for the 2025 scholarship, complete the form found here by end of day Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

— Bret Sikkink, Faculty Development Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Theatre Presents “First Date: The Musical”

Join Drake Theatre for a night of laughter and love as we present First Date: The Musical. Follow Aaron and Casey’s journey into the chaos of a blind date that takes unexpected turns, filled with catchy songs and relatable moments.

📅: Thursday, Oct. 3 – Sunday, Oct. 6
🕒: Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
📍: Fine Arts Center Coleman Studio Theatre

Don’t miss this hilarious and heartfelt journey through love’s first steps. Grab your tickets now and get ready for a night to remember.

For tickets and more information, visit https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/drakefinearts/6865.

— Amber Hussain, Arts & Sciences

Campus Announcements Archive

Pickleball with KKG

Join Kappa Kappa Gamma in a friendly pickleball competition on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12–4 p.m. at Valley View Park, 225 88th Street, West Des Moines. All proceeds go to our three philanthropies: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, and Children’s Cancer Connection. Reach out to abigail.axell@drake.edu with any questions or concerns.

https://kkg.crowdchange.co/42153

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IHxMF3tPE8GYyvmXY5Me0vLDh6Pulcl1dLX5xKVF2R8/edit?usp=sharing

— Abby Axell, PH,BN

Campus Announcements Archive

Law School to offer free financial and medical powers of attorney, living wills, and simple wills clinic

Drake Law School and Dickinson Bradshaw will offer a free community clinic to help individuals prepare powers of attorney, living will, and simple will documents on Friday, Oct. 25. Participants may choose from three convenient sessions: 9–10:30 a.m., 12–1:30 p.m., or 4–5:30 p.m.

Each session will consist of a 45-minute overview about powers of attorney, living wills, and simple wills, followed by a one-on-one appointment with a licensed Dickinson Bradshaw attorney and/or Drake Law student to complete the required documents. Attorneys will be available to answer additional questions. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain signed and notarized documents for their files.

The clinic will be held at Drake University Law School, Cartwright Hall, 2621 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, in room 201.

The clinic is being held as part of Drake Law and Dickinson Bradshaw’s recognition of Cady Day of Public Service. Cady Day of Service brings the community together to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court Mark S. Cady.

The clinic is free but advanced registration is required. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/powers-of-attorney-living-wills-and-simple-wills-clinic-tickets-1003704315627?aff=oddtdtcreator)

For more information contact Theresa Howard at theresa.howard@drake.edu.

— Theresa Howard, Law School

HR Information Archive

Workplace Illness and Injury Policy update

 Drake changed workers compensation carriers effective July 1, 2024. The shift to a new carrier, United Heartland, provided an opportunity to carefully review our workplace illness and injury policy. The revised policy is posted for comment. The policy revision requires a first report of injury within 24 hours of the incident giving rise to the illness or injury. In addition, the policy now includes details about how pay and benefits are handled during any related absence consistent with past practice and Iowa law. Finally, the policy also shifts responsibility for the policy and its administration to Human Resources. The office of Environmental Health and Safety will remain involved in investigating workplace accidents and working to improve safety on campus, while Human Resources will be responsible for managing claims, working with employees to secure care, and assisting employees and managers with return to work and workplace accommodations.

 — Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Self-Awareness and Emotion Regulation Workshop Series

WHERE: Pomerantz Conference Room, Olmsted
TIME: All sessions held from 11–12 p.m.
DATES:
September 25
October 9
October 23
November 6
November 20
December 4
December 18

The goal of the Self-Awareness Workshop Series is for participants to develop insight into the variables that make-up and impact their internal word; how the external world interacts with that internal world; and the formation and consequence of self and identity.

Benefits of Attending:

  • Improved insight into your inner world
  • Better understanding of your emotions
  • Develop skills to respond to stressors in the external world
  • Stronger sense of identity and self-concept.

Contact John.Roarick@drake.edu with any questions.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Drake Student Counseling Center

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library October featured collections

Join us at Cowles Library this month as we celebrate two vibrant cultural cornerstones: jazz music and America’s favorite pastime, baseball!
Immerse yourself in the rich history of jazz with our curated selection of books and DVDs that explore the genre’s evolution and its profound cultural impact. Be sure to browse our LP record collection, where we’ve highlighted iconic jazz titles for music lovers to enjoy.

Celebrate the World Series with our baseball display, where the excitement of America’s pastime comes to life! Dive into the legacy of the sport with stories about legendary players, unforgettable moments, and the game’s influence on American culture. Whether you’ve been a lifelong fan or new to the game, there’s something here for everyone!
Visit us in the library or explore our Featured Collections page online to discover more. We can’t wait to share these exciting collections with you.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Be your own cybersecurity superhero: Strong passwords and MFA save the day

It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM), and you have the power to protect your accounts like a superhero. October was established as CSAM in 20024 and gives us the opportunity to reinforce the importance of practicing smart habits to better protect ourselves against cyberattacks and identity theft. 

We’re also excited to announce the annual CSAM quiz – because every hero needs to test their skills. The first 150 people to complete the quiz will get a $1 coupon to use at the campus Starbucks in Olmsted.

So how can you be your own Cybersecurity Superhero? 

First, establish your secret identity by using strong passwords. Just like a superhero’s secret identity, your password should be unique, tough to guess, and well-guarded. Need some quick tips for creating a “bulletproof” password? Check the tip sheet on our Internal Site for suggestions. 

Next, make sure to activate your superpower by using multi-factor authentication (MFA) as much as possible. MFA is like having an extra superpower – it provides an additional layer of defense against villains (aka hackers). Our Internal Site has a tip sheet with steps to enable MFA on all accounts, personal and professional. 

Finally, protect all your bases by applying the strongest security everywhere. You wouldn’t protect only your hero HQ – make sure all your accounts (personal and work) have strong defenses. Consider using a password manager – it’s like your trusty utility belt. What’s a password manager? Visit our Internal Site to learn more.

Your digital world is safer when you’re a cybersecurity superhero. Stay vigilant, create strong defenses, and don’t forget to take the CSAM 2024 quiz to level up your hero skills.

— Becky Klein, ITS