The Office of the Deputy Provost has restricted and endowed funds available to help support faculty research, faculty enrichment, and project-based hiring of undergraduate assistants.  The deputy provost’s office also administers the process by which university-wide professorships are named – such as the Troyer Research Professorship, as well as the Madeline Levitt Mentor and Teacher of the Year awards.

Drake Research Grants are intended to support research and creative activity that is not already funded by other sources, to jumpstart proposals for external grant seeking and to provide supplemental funds to ongoing projects, as necessary.  Drake Research Grants offer up to $3,000 per project to underwrite the direct cost of faculty conducting advanced research or creative activity, including expenses like: travel, materials, services, and student research assistants.  Applications for these grants are accepted on a rolling basis; an interdisciplinary group of Drake faculty, in consultation with the deputy provost, make determinations on these proposals.

Faculty Development and Enrichment grant proposals are also accepted on a rolling basis; determinations are made at the discretion of the deputy provost.  These grants are available to support a variety of development and enrichment activities related to teaching, professional development, leadership development and collaboration.  We prioritize funding that benefits teaching and pedagogy, involves community partners, or engages faculty in developing skills and capacities.

Drake Undergraduate Student Assistantships facilitate departmental and faculty-led hiring of undergraduate student assistants.  These paid student assistants receive mentorship from faculty, while contributing in significant ways to departmental and faculty projects.  These assistantships are funded through matching funds – half comes from your department or college/school, the other half is provided by Student Financial Aid.  Applications for these assistantships are due to your college/school Dean by March 18; the deans will rank these applications and forward them to the deputy provost for collaborative determination (with Student Financial Aid) of funding.

Finally, please begin thinking of nominating your colleagues for our distinguished university-wide research, teaching and mentoring awards: the Troyer Research Fellowship, the Madelyn M. Levitt Teacher of the Year Award, and the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.  The deadline for nominations for the Teacher and Mentor Award, as well as for applications for the Troyer Award is Friday, February 17.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

Deputy Provost 2:10 (two articles with a read time of 10 minutes) is a communication series by Deputy Provost Renée Cramer sharing important scholarship, teaching, and development opportunities.

Last spring, nearly everywhere I turned in higher education journalism, I saw articles about The Great Faculty Disengagement. Spurred by this piece from The Chronicle of Higher Education, scholars from a wide range of disciplines and university-types chimed in, openly sharing about high levels of burnout, stress, frustration and uncertainty.  Coming so close on the heels of the radical transitions necessitated by the height of the global pandemic, these testimonies made sense to me – and they confirmed what I was seeing in my friends and colleagues (and feeling for myself, even though I was not in the classroom last year): high levels of exhaustion, feelings of hopelessness, and a reluctance to engage.

This year, I’ve seen fewer of these types of pieces.  Even Chronicle coverage with headlines about how junior faculty are “leaning out,” is really about the ways that faculty are taking care of themselves, in order to continue to provide an excellent education for their students; and I appreciate that, a year out from the earlier reporting, we have pieces that look at structural inequality around workload and burnout.  This shift in reporting, coupled with increased participation in development opportunities my office is sponsoring, and the kinds of hallway and Painted Street conversations I’m having – makes me think that attitudes about our work seem to have leveled out.  They are, perhaps, even improving.  From my office in Howard Hall, I see a renewed energy and vibrancy around student learning, and heightened collegiality.

Have we, indeed, begun to ‘re-engage?’

If we have – if things related to work are returning to manageable – how can faculty and staff continue to adjust, and to adjust in ways that foster our well-being and thriving?

I rather stridently do not believe in work-life balance. In fact, I think work-life balance is a myth that only makes those of us who are juggling multiple responsibilities (Caregiving! Teaching! Needs of self! Research and Creative Activity! Committee work! What else?!) feel worse about our inability to juggle them all well.  So I almost hesitate to share this set of resources from THE Campus, because they do talk about how to strike and hold this balance – they also, usefully, discuss the various ways we can approach our work and non-work life wholeheartedly, integrally, and intentionally.  I especially appreciate the ideas around sequencing and prioritizing in the piece by Professor Lucas Lixinski from University of New South Whales, and the one by Prof. Stephen Harmon (Georgia Tech) about how his hobbies make him a better scholar – even though they’re unrelated to his academic work.

It’s in this spirit – the spirit of giving us time to talk about our teaching, breathe a little bit, think about our work, and share about our lives – that I host much of the faculty development that I do.  So, please start to plan ahead and endeavor to join us – in March and April we’ll be discussing The Great Upheaval on Thursday afternoons, and Air and Light and Time and Space on Friday mornings.  We can use that time to problem solve and brainstorm, share and celebrate.  And, if we haven’t re-engaged, if things don’t feel any more manageable – we can talk about that, too!

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

Deputy Provost 2:10 (two articles with a read time of 10 minutes) is a communication series by Deputy Provost Renée Cramer sharing important scholarship, teaching, and development opportunities.

All Staff Council is holding a Bulldog Connect networking lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Special Events and Community Service Committee is hosting this month. Enjoy learning what staff on this committee focus on throughout the year. Anyone is welcome to come for a $5 lunch at Hubbell. Look for the table with the Drake swag and a special Bulldogs Connect table tent in Hubbell.

Also a reminder that All Staff Council invites you to share any suggestions, concerns, or other feedback you’d like us to look into using this form. (If you’d like us to respond to your feedback directly, please include your name and contact information, otherwise let us know your thoughts anonymously.)

— Megan Franklin, On behalf of All Staff Council

Drake is excited to announce DU England: Harlaxton as our second cohort-model semester study abroad program. The program will be offered each fall, starting Fall 2023, with Professor of Psychology Maria Clapham as the inaugural Drake Faculty-in-Residence teaching on the program.

Harlaxton College is one of the most unique study abroad locations in the UK based at a Victorian Manor and has been operating for over 50 years.  Set in 300 acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of England, Harlaxton allows our student cohort to enjoy the British Midlands with the ability to be in London in about an hour.  The Drake cohort-model program will include the Harlaxton semester experience, with students taking classes taught by British and visiting faculty members, as well as additional specialized activities and excursions exclusive to Drake courses.

Campus visit from Harlaxton representative on Feb. 20 & 21

A representative for Harlaxton College, Jordan Hall, will be visiting Drake University on Monday, Feb. 20, and Tuesday, Feb. 21. She is available morning through the evening.  If you are interested in learning more about Harlaxton, we would love to set up a meeting with you and Jordan to get more in-depth information on this exciting new program.  We can schedule:

• Classroom presentations where Jordan can visit your classes to speak to students for 5-10 minutes about the program.
• A meeting to learn more about the program so you are able to advise students on this Drake experience abroad.  This can be one-on-one or with others in your department.
• A meeting to learn more about teaching on the Harlaxton program.  We will have a Drake Faculty-in-Residence position available every fall semester.

In addition, you are invited to attend a Faculty-In-Residence information session on Monday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. in Olmsted TMR132 to learn about teaching at Harlaxton.

If you have questions about DU England: Harlaxton, please reach out to Maria Rohach, director of education abroad at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement

Drake Honorary Degree and Drake Medal nominations are being accepted through March 31, 2023. There is a new form for nominations. Completed nominations can be sent to Carrie Koenigsfeld, committee chair, at carrie.koenigsfeld@drake.edu.

— Madison Bemus, Provost’s Office

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Mary Alice Hill, retired human resources director. Mary Alice passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 26, at her home in Clive. Mary Alice was a valued, dedicated, respected, and talented member of the Drake community who will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of calling her a colleague and friend.

During Mary Alice’s time at Drake, she led enhancements to several HR programs, including staff recognition, professional development, and employee wellness. However, it is her kindness, thoughtfulness, positive attitude, and smile that will be remembered most. 

Scott Raecker, executive director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center, said it best: “Mary Alice was the epitome of our Drake Core Values in action. She always brought her best self to work, assumed the best in everyone, was always looking for All In opportunities for our campus, and had a tremendous commitment to our mission. Mary Alice transformed lives and strengthened not only our Drake community but the broader Des Moines community.”

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines. The service will be livestreamed from http://hopeonline.tv/specialevents.

Please share your memories of Mary Alice at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com as hearing stories about her is greatly appreciated by her family. Or, if you are attending the service, please bring a written note. You can read Mary Alice’s obituary here. 

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value All in This Together will be recognized at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Cline Hall Atrium beginning at 4 p.m.

To nominate a colleague, please use the Qualtrics form. Feel free to fill out multiple forms. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display at the event.

What do we mean when we say we’re All in This Together at Drake? We look for colleagues who embrace robust communication, and who value transparency, collaboration, and teamwork.

When you nominate colleagues, be prepared to describe how each colleague meets these descriptions. Several nominees will be chosen at random for prizes.

Refreshments will include wine, beer, soft drinks, and an assortment of light snacks. This is a family friendly event. Please feel free to bring your children and partner!

— Madison Bemus, Provost’s Office

Drake Intercultural Community Exchange (DICE) is excited to launch the Spring 2023 application for hosts and community members.

This volunteer program matches faculty and staff (and their families) with incoming international students for a term (or longer), with the goal of fostering meaningful connections beyond the classroom.

DICE hosts would be expected to reach out to their student two or three times a semester to grab a meal, participate in a shared interest, or meet up at DICE/ISSS-sponsored events. Participating as a DICE volunteer is open to ALL Drake faculty and staff. The only requirement is that you have a strong interest in developing an inclusive community and the desire to make our international students feel welcome.

If you are interested in becoming a DICE host, please complete our online application: http://drake.qualtrics.com/DICE_HostApplication

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, Feb. 16.

If you have any questions about the program, please send inquires to Jorona Johnson, international student advisor, at jorona.johnson@drake.edu.

— Jorona Johnson, Global Engagement

Nominations are being accepted for the Principal Global Citizenship Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to global engagement and internationalization efforts on the part of faculty or staff. The selected awardee will receive a plaque, up to $3,000, and will be announced at the 2023 Global Citizen Forum in March. A screening committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the Provost.  Nominations should be submitted to Bonnie Ehler at bonnie.ehler@drake.edu by Tuesday, Feb.14, 2023. 

A letter of nomination should be submitted recommending an individual for the award and explaining the context and manner in which the nominator has come to know the faculty or staff member. This letter should speak to the following qualifications:

Pursuant to the University’s mission to develop “responsible global citizens,” explain how the nominee has made outstanding contributions at Drake toward realizing the following:

1. Support Drake University as a global institution by creating linkages to global partners in local, national, and international settings;
2. Develop and/or actively support global and intercultural learning opportunities for Drake students;
3. Develop infrastructure, resources, and partnerships to support internationalization and global engagement.

The nominee must be a faculty or staff member with at least four years of service at the University. The nominee cannot have won this award within the past five years. Faculty and staff members who report directly to Global Engagement are ineligible.

Nominees who indicate a willingness to be considered will be invited to submit a resume or C.V. and a statement discussing their contributions to the above goals. Up to three letters of support from unit or institutional leadership, faculty, staff, or students will be accepted (this is optional).

Any individual who was nominated for the award in 2022 may be re-nominated if the nominator resubmits a letter offering the individual for consideration this year. Files of previous nominees are maintained for one year. If a faculty/staff member is re-nominated, the nominator will be invited to review the file from the previous year to ensure that the nomination is as current as possible.

Past recipients include:

2022 – Debra Bishop, Professor of Practice in Management & International Business

2021 – Sally Haack, Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Sciences
2020 – Jody Swilky, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Professor of English/Writing Workshop
2019 – Pramod Mahajan, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
2018 – Tim Knepper, Professor of Philosophy/Comparison Project Director
2017 – John Rovers, Professor of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
2016 – Ellen Yee, Professor of Law/Director of International Programs

Nomination letters are due by Feb. 14, 2023, and should be sent as an attachment to bonnie.ehler@drake.edu. Questions may be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, at annique.kiel@drake.edu.

— Bonnie Ehler, Global Engagement