All posts by Jeremy Calvert

For Students Archive

ITS Attack Simulation Training for students

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and ITS is going to be rolling out a testing for students using Microsoft’s Attack Simulation Training.

Phishing has existed in attackers’ toolboxes for decades, with threat actors posing as trusted contacts and then targeting unsuspecting victims through email or text messages to steal sensitive data. While malicious actors always attempt to craft legitimate-looking phishing communications, some cybercriminals excel at this more than others. Historically, phishing communications have often been easy to spot because of careless drafting, with a lot of spelling errors and incorrect grammar.

However, simply advising people to look for “traditional” attributes of phishing is no longer enough to keep organizations safe. Beyond investing in the right technologies, such as enabling spam filters and implementing multi-factor authentication, education can make or break efforts to safeguard organizations from phishing and ransomware.

Below is an email that you will be getting on Wednesday October 18th at about 10:00am.  It is from what appears to be a mail server advising you of two messages that could not be delivered because of the synchronization delay, and it wants you to click on the “View Returned Messages” to get them.

Notice who the email is coming from—it is coming from effecturellc Portal dUScj@effecturellc.com. This is not a legitimate Microsoft email.

When you receive this email, report it as attempted phishing. If you click on the “Report” button, then you can select the “Report phishing” tab.  This will allow you to report this email to Microsoft for review and they will be able to block future emails from getting into our system. It will also delete the email for you, so you do not have to do anything further with it.

You can read more at Report Phishing Button in Outlook (For Students Only). You are an essential part of keeping Drake safe and secure.

Check out this week’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month topic in OnCampus. Learn more about cybersecurity, watch videos, and become a part of Drake’s security culture at drake.edu/its/csam and take the cybersecurity quiz to win prizes.

For ITS assistance, submit a ticket at service.drake.edu/its, visit the lower level of Carnegie Hall, or call 515-271-3001.

— Jeremy Calvert, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Annual Survey of Administrative Services: Your feedback is needed

Every fall, we ask for your input on how we fulfill our commitment to elevate service excellence. Your collective input is reviewed and acted upon. For examples from last year, see the responses from Finance, HR, ITS, and others.

It’s that time of year again and thank you for your input in advance! Your voice helps shape continuous improvement in these areas across campus: Facilities Planning and Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Public Safety, University Communications & Marketing, and the SPARC (grants) office.

Click here to complete this year’s survey by Halloween, 10/31. It is completely anonymous and often takes less than five minutes to complete. You will only be asked to provide feedback on the areas you work with regularly.

The survey was developed by the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment in collaboration with each area on the survey. Continuous improvement efforts such as this drive intentional and strategic action.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

— Nate Reagen, Chief of Staff, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Student Success Spotlight

We are excited to kick off a brand-new feature that spotlights the people and resources that make a difference in the lives of Drake students. Each week, we’ll shine a light on the outstanding individuals and initiatives that contribute to the success and growth of our community.

This Week’s Feature: The “Don’t Cancel Class” Program

Ever found yourself in a personal or professional travel dilemma, unable to conduct your scheduled class? We have the perfect solution – don’t cancel! Introducing the “Don’t Cancel Class” program, your one-stop solution to ensure your students continue to learn and engage, no matter where you are.

This week, we want to give a huge shoutout to the dedicated Drake staff members who have come together to support this program. They are ready and eager to step in, sharing their expertise on a wide variety of topics to ensure your class remains on track. Whether you need someone to host a discussion or facilitate a workshop, our team has you covered.

Key Benefits of the “Don’t Cancel Class” Program:

  • Access to a pool of experienced and passionate staff members.
  • A diverse range of subject areas to choose from.
  • A seamless, no-hassle solution for maintaining the continuity of your course.

If you’re interested in utilizing this program or learning more about it, please check out the list of presenters, or click here to submit a request.

Is there a person or program you would like to recognize?  Please email Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Student Success, to share your stories of success!

— Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

Campus Announcements Archive

National Pronoun Day is Oct. 18

National Pronoun Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of respecting and using correct pronouns to create an inclusive and welcoming Drake for all. Making it a habit to share pronouns with one another when we gather allows us to create an environment in which we learn not to assume, based on someone’s appearance, gender, or how they want to be referred to in the third person (what pronouns they use). Whether or not any one of us might ourselves be worried we will be misgendered, sharing pronouns proactively regardless, is a meaningful practice for cultivating a community of inclusion and belonging.

Why Pronouns Matter 

Pronouns are an essential part of a person’s identity. Using the correct pronouns for someone shows respect, validates their gender identity, and contributes to a more inclusive environment.

Imagine you met someone whose legal name was Robert but he went by Bob. Would you still call him Robert or would call him Bob?

Imagine if you had a friend who got married (or divorced) and they changed their last name. If they asked you to use their new last name—would you still use their old name?

The answers here are pretty obvious. Use this same logic for pronouns. If someone tells you they use certain pronouns—that’s what you should use. Misusing pronouns is not just disrespectful, it can be hurtful and undermine a person’s sense of self.

Using Pronouns Respectfully 

1. Ask and Share Pronouns

Ask: When meeting someone new or at the beginning of a class or meeting, consider asking for and sharing your pronouns. For example, “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and my pronouns are [Your Pronouns]. May I ask what pronouns you use?”

Normalize: Make it a routine to include pronouns in your introductions and email signatures. This helps create an inclusive atmosphere.

2. Use Correct Pronouns

Once you know someone’s pronouns, make an effort to use them correctly. If you make a mistake, apologize briefly and move on. Dwelling on the mistake can make the person uncomfortable.

3. Respect Privacy

Keep in mind that not everyone may be comfortable sharing their pronouns. Respect their decision, and don’t pressure them.

4. Educate Yourself

Familiarize yourself with gender-neutral pronouns like “they/them” and be open to using them when appropriate.

5. Singular ‘They’

Use “they/them” when referring to someone whose pronouns you don’t know or when someone explicitly prefers these pronouns. This represents another step in the evolution of how we use pronouns. It used to be that “he/him/his” was the default—and you still see that in older laws and literature—the unidentified person was always presumed to be male. It was only a few decades ago, we saw a shift to be more inclusive by switching to: “he/she” and “his/her.” And now we are simply taking another step to be even more inclusive by adopting they/them.

Make Your Pronouns Known at Drake 

Faculty, staff, and students may self-select a pronoun from the list provided on the Personal Information page in Self Service.  If a pronoun is selected, it will be viewable by members of the University community in Starfish, Blackboard, Zoom, and class lists. Pronouns can be updated in Self Service at any time.  The list of possible pronouns will be subject to periodic review. You can contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion to inquire about the review process or the Student Pronoun Policy.

You can also include your pronouns in your email signature block and you can also add them to your name display in Teams and Zoom meetings.

On Wednesday, October 18, we invite all students, faculty, and staff to stop by the Breezeway at Olmstead from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM to pick up a pronoun pin/sticker to show your support for gender diversity and inclusion and share your identity with others. 

National Pronoun Day is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity by acknowledging and respecting everyone’s pronouns. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a more welcoming and respectful community where individuals of all gender identities feel valued and accepted. Remember that learning and growing in this area is an ongoing process, and your efforts to use correct pronouns make a positive impact.

— Terrance Pendleton, Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion

For Students Archive

Funding available for students to attend regional or national conferences with global focus

The Drake Principal Center for Global Citizenship is excited to be providing funding for Drake students to attend regional and national conferences that focus on global or international topics.

Applications may be funded up to $500, depending on costs and the level of student participation. Priority may be given to applicants who have an active role in the conference (e.g. the applicant will be presenting a paper or serving as a discussant). Funds may be used to cover the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and registration fees. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is open to all current undergraduate and graduate-level students enrolled in any Drake degree program and who are in good academic standing.

Applications for funding will only be accepted using the online form and should include the following. Applications that fail to address all of these items will not be considered.

  • Major(s) and Expected Graduation Year at Drake University
  • Title, Location*, and Dates of the Conference
  • Conference Website
  • Conference Registration Fees (if applicable)
  • Mode of Transportation to the Conference and Expected Costs
  • Plans for Lodging and Expected Associated Costs (if applicable)
  • Other financial assistance the student is receiving for the conference (such as from the student’s academic department, an outside grant, etc.) (if applicable)
  • One brief paragraph explaining how the conference relates to the student’s academic and/or professional goals, how it connects with global or international topics, and what form of participation the student will engage in at the conference
  • Supplemental documentation to support your application, such as the abstract/proposal submitted to the conference organizers (if applicable)

*Virtual conference participation is also eligible for funding to cover the cost of registration.

Conference funding applications are considered on a rolling basis. We ask that applications be submitted at least thirty days prior to the scheduled start of the conference to allow sufficient time for review and response, and to ensure the student can make further or alternate funding arrangements if needed.

If you have any questions, please contact global@drake.edu.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Tune in to Everclass with Sandy Marshall, AS’96, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Hear from Sandy Marshall, AS’96, a distinguished Drake University alumnus, and current Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During a Q&A facilitated by Drake University’s Vice President of University Advancement, John Smith, AS’92, GR’00, Sandy will discuss his unique path from Drake University to writing, producing, and educating.

Join us on October 24th at 7:00 PM CT to delve into Sandy’s experiences – from his role as Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to his contributions at Chicago’s renowned comedy institution, The Second City. Sandy’s diverse background, including co-founding the acclaimed “REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids,” provides a unique perspective worth exploring.

This is a virtual event and it is open to alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Register here.

Questions? Reach out to Mady Nachtman at mady.nachtman@drake.edu.

For Staff Archive

Staff chili lunch and dessert bake-off

Join other staff members for a spooky and sweet Halloween chili lunch and dessert bakeoff.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 31

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Pomerantz Stage, Olmsted Center

Cost: $5 (includes chili, drink & desserts)

Sign up for the bake-off!

  • Two categories: Spooky Desserts & Cozy Fall Desserts
  • The top three desserts in each category will be recognized with a prize
  • Sign up by Oct. 27 by going to this SignUp Genius page!

— Elissa Johnson, On behalf of All Staff Council

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Wellness conference Oct. 25 open to faculty, staff, and students

We invite students, faculty, and staff to register for the Drake Wellness Conference Oct. 25 from 3–6 p.m. in Olmsted Center. Register today.

We are committed to extending our services to our community to help ensure the best possible outcomes for your times spent at Drake, no matter your role.

We will be offering a variety of learning opportunities to better understand the dimensions of wellness and offering tools that are immediately actionable to help increase self-agency and now and through the future.  

We will have the following wellness resources and sessions available:

  • Intuitive Dietitian – Eating and Body Image 
  • Drake Dietitian – Nutrition and Health 
  • Tables from the seven dimensions of wellness 
  • Department of OT, movement opportunities 
  • Therapy Dogs 
  • Rec Services 
  • Massage Therapists 
  • Access and Success 
  • Prevention Education 
  • Meditation 
  • Financial Health 

Kayla Bell-Consolver, Broadlawns Drake Counseling Center