All posts by Karen Williams

Campus Announcements Archive

Spring 2024 study abroad opportunities, scholarships, and application

Drake students are invited to join the DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville with Professor Matthew Hayden for the Spring 2024 semester in Seville, Spain. Students will enroll in one Drake course, as well as courses at a local university in Seville. Students don’t need a background in Spanish to participate in the program, as both university partners offer courses in Spanish and English.

We’re also excited to share that students will receive a $2,000 scholarship from our program partner, API. This means the non-tuition fees (room & board, including excursions, and international health insurance) will be reduced by $2,000. Students can apply for additional study abroad scholarships for the spring 2024 semester through the Drake Global Learning Scholarship application found within their program application. Apply for a scholarship by August 15!

Students need to apply here and complete their spring 2024 study abroad application by Friday, September 1. More information about the coursework, including Prof. Hayden’s course titled, “Cultural Diffusion: Values in Art & Architecture,” can be found here. Courses taken in Seville cover a broad range of academic areas, including business, communications, humanities, international relations, psychology, sciences, and Spanish language and culture. Courses can be pre-approved to count toward your major(s), minor(s), concentration, and/or AOIs. Students also have access to their Drake financial aid while studying abroad on this approved program. Students can access the study abroad course approval form online.

Additionally, some J-Term 2024 travel seminars are still open and accepting applications. All affiliate and exchange programs will be open until the deadline of Aug. 15. The list of all open and available programs is on our website.

Questions? Email studyabroad@drake.edu or read more on Drake’s study abroad website: drake.edu/global/studyabroad.

— Karen Williams, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Mental Health First Aid course June 16

Christine Urish, professor of occupational therapy, and Sarah Grady, professor of pharmacy practice, will teach a Mental Health First Aid course on Friday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Fitch Hall, Room 102. If you are interested in attending, email Sarah Grady at Sarah.grady@drake.edu.

Mental Health First Aid is an international, evidence-based program that teaches people to identify, understand, and respond to the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

— Sarah Grady, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

HR Information Archive

Ways to break mental health stigmas

As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness month, how can we continue to shine a light on this important topic and break the stigmas surrounding it? Here are some ways to create more understanding and positive action.

Learn more about mental health.  Read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or attend webinars on various topics related to mental health.  NAMI Iowa and the Healthiest State Initiative’s Make it OK campaign are good resources, as well as Employee & Family Resources.

Spark conversations and support others.  Initiate open, compassionate dialogue about mental health with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Create a safe space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and struggles. Show others that you care and support them by listening to them without judgement, offering encouragement and empathy, respecting their boundaries and privacy, and helping them find resources and assistance if they want it.

Don’t contribute to mental health stigmas. Unfortunately, our society still has a lot of stigma and discrimination around mental health.  This can prevent people from seeking help or speaking opening about their issues.  You can help break the stigma by educating others about mental health facts and myths, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, and fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding. Mental health is health—just like diabetes, hypertension, or other health related conditions.

Check in with yourself and prioritize self-care. To help others, you must also help yourself.  It is important to take some time every day to check in with yourself and notice your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Embrace self-care as a crucial aspect of mental well-being.  Discover activities that bring you joy, peace, and rejuvenation. Practice them regularly to replenish your energy and nurture your emotional balance.

Seek support.  If you are navigating your own mental health journey, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.  Drake health plan participants can access mental health services and take advantage of virtual care visits with Broadlawns providers. Broadlawns Medical Center offers a comprehensive delivery system for mental health services in Central Iowa. Virtual Care Visits provide a safe and convenient way for you to access care through your existing provider or to establish care with a new healthcare provider. Broadlawns also offers Outpatient Mental Health Services.  And Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources, including free confidential counseling, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.  EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit available to Drake employees and anyone living in their households.

Let’s create a culture that fosters empathy, understanding, and support—where everyone feels valued and empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Learn how to lead with your best self in this one-hour virtual class

Being a leader can be hard. Most managers and supervisors are so busy with several responsibilities to juggle, that it can be difficult to bring their best self to work every day.

To address this challenge, Employee & Family Resources (EFR), Drake’s employee assistant plan provider, is offering a virtual 1-hour presentation for Drake managers and supervisors on Wednesday, May 31, at 1 p.m. titled Leading with Your Best Self.

During this session, Lars Peterson, a licensed psychotherapist, consultant, and trainer for EFR, will go over some of the tools you may need to help you lead with your best self, making good decisions, communicating effectively, and staying focused and energized.

To register for this session, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

DART bus updates

The DART bus service is expanding transit options this June with the addition of two new DART On Demand zones in north Des Moines and West Des Moines. DART will also once again extend D-Line service on Saturdays through October for the Downtown Farmer’s Market, beginning at 8 a.m.

As a service reminder, there will be no DART bus service on Monday, May 29, in recognition of Memorial Day.  Regular weekday service will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

The federal loan payment pause is ending soon

Since March 13, 2020 repayment on most federal student loans have been paused with a 0% interest rate. The student loan payment pause will end 60 days after the litigation over the student debt relief program is resolved OR August 29, 2023 (whichever is sooner). More information about the payment pause and the status of the student debt relief program is available at www.studentaid.gov.

Included below is content that was designed to aid borrowers who will begin/resume repayment later this summer.

Drake’s Financial Aid Office is available to assist with questions related to federal student loan repayment. Contact us if we can be of service!

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Des Moines Corporate Games: Please join!

Don’t be fooled by the name, the ‘corporate games’ are a great way to have fun with co-workers, celebrate your health, skills, and knowledge, and represent Drake while doing so! Here are the events we need broad participation in:

  • Yoga
  • Cycling tour ride
  • Cross country races (4K & 8K)
  • Road race (5K)
  • Duathlon
  • Triathlon
  • Blood donation
  • Meals from the Heartland

You don’t need to be an elite athlete to participate in any of the above.

For those of you looking for athletic competition in a team setting, we still need people for:

  • Women’s 3 on 3 basketball (register by May 24th!)
  • Pickleball (co-ed, women’s) (register by May 24th!)
  • Track & field events (by age bracket, don’t worry!  Even 60+ age brackets!)
  • Dodgeball
  • Bowling (co-ed, women’s, men’s)
  • Golf (men’s & women’s)

Sign-ups are easy – just email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu if you are interested in signing up for any (or many!) of the events above.

We’ll see you out there!

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council election results

The All Staff Council Governance Committee congratulates each of the newly elected members of the Drake University All Staff Council!

Governance/Policy Committee

  • Suzanne Wisslead

Recognition Committee

  • Madison Bemus
  • Kristine Plagman
  • Amber Welsh
  • Betsy White

Special Events/Community Service Committee

  • Dillon Beckmann
  • Ellie Bullock
  • Tiffany Hach
  • Lila Johnson
  • John Kippes

Special Interests Committee

  • Kris Brewster
  • Teresa Downs
  • Mady Nachtman

Chair Elect

  • Kevin Saunders

— Sara Schilling, On behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

How summer facilities projects will impact campus

Facilities Planning and Management has scheduled several summer projects which will impact various high-traffic areas of campus. Please take note of the following projects as well as the areas that will be affected by construction in the coming weeks and months. The attached image showcases other projects not mentioned here.

Parking Lot 1 – Upcoming Closure for Resurfacing, Landscaping
Lot 1 (across 25th Street from Fine Arts) will be closed for the duration of the summer (June 1–July 20) for resurfacing and new landscaping. With the forthcoming Mediacom Stadium opening this fall, this upgraded lot will serve as a key welcoming point for campus visitors.

Herriott Hall Masonry and Painting – Herriott Circle Closure
The circle drive at Herriott will be closed for the duration of the summer to allow contractor access for an extensive masonry and painting project. This work will include masonry and tuckpointing repairs, interior and exterior painting, and repainting of the fire escapes and balconies to the north and south of Herriott.

Quads Bridge Closures – to Carpenter and Crawford
The pedestrian bridges at the south ends of Crawford and Carpenter Halls will be closed to foot traffic at various points this summer. The concrete pad and ramp at Carpenter followed by concrete step replacement and repairs to a retaining wall near Crawford will take place June 19-23. In July, both bridges will be cleaned and repainted in preparation for the new academic year. Specific closures will be announced once the contractor completes interior work in other buildings.

Performing Arts Hall Roof Replacement – Carpenter Avenue Closure
The upper and lower roofs of Performing Arts Hall as well as the vestibule roof over the east entrance to the Anderson Gallery will be replaced in August. This will result in the closure of Carpenter Avenue at 24th Street from August 1-18 to allow for crane placement to unload and load material onto the roofs. If you park in a reserved space on Carpenter Avenue, please seek alternate parking between August 1–18.

— Colin Atkinson, Facilities Planning and Management

Campus Announcements Archive

High School State Track parking and road closure info May 18–20

Drake University will host the Iowa High School State Track & Field meet on campus Thursday, May 18, through Saturday, May 20.

The State High School track meet brings a large number of high school athletes as well as guests to campus. This is a reminder that parking and travel on and around campus will be significantly impacted.

It is highly recommended that if you are coming to campus that you use public transportation, if at all possible. If you do plan on driving, the Olmsted Lot (lot 16) will be held for Drake Permit holders only from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. You are free to park in any other open Drake lot with a valid Drake permit on Thursday and Friday at no charge, but only the Olmsted lot will be held for permit holders from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. With the large number of guests expected, parking will be difficult to find on campus. Please remember that cars that are parked on the grass, illegally in handicap spaces, or blocking operations will be towed without notice.

In addition to parking lot use, please note the following closures and restrictions:

  • Forest Avenue will be closed from 27th Street to 29th Street Thursday – Saturday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • There is NO PARKING on Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 29th Street on those days from 7 a.m. –7 p.m.
  • There is no parking on Clark Street between 27th Street and 24th Street
  • School buses will be parked on Forest Avenue throughout the event between 27th Street and 24th Street.
  • Lot 18S (Studio Arts) will be closed from Tuesday, May 16, through Saturday, May 20 for the concessions area.

Check out the schedule for this year’s state track meet, and more.

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services