Category Archives: For Faculty Archive

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Applications for funding supporting True Blue Micro-Internships

Professional and Career Development Services is now accepting applications from departments for funding supporting True Blue Micro-internships for students.

What is a micro-internship?
Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional projects that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. These projects enable students and recent graduates to demonstrate skills, explore career options and build a network. Unlike traditional internships, micro-internships range from five to 40 hours of work. Micro-internships are common and used by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups. The scope of micro-internships is typically hyper-focused on a specific project, task, or deliverable.

Requirements:

  • Funding cannot be used to offset the cost of regular office student workers
  • Must be used to support a project-based experience
  • Projects cannot exceed 40 hours
  • Pay for the position is $9/hr (if selected PCDS will fund up to 20 hrs)
  • The experience must help develop the student’s True Blue Skills:
    • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
    • Collaboration
    • Personal Responsibility
    • Communication
    • Digital Proficiency
    • Leadership
    • Global/Intercultural Understanding
    • Innovation
    • Growth Mindset
    • Values Driven

This support is available as long as funding remains in the account.

To apply, complete the survey at: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNiFWfLl08b1MKa.

— Chrystal Stanley, Professional & Career Development 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Intercultural Community Exchange

The Office of Global Engagement is excited to kick off the Spring 2022 intake for Drake Intercultural Community Exchange (DICE). 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

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

For Faculty Archive

Faculty Writers’ Workshop Spring 2022: Virtual meetings, Fridays, 10–11 a.m.

Drake faculty members are invited to participate in a Faculty Writers’ Workshop (FWW) focused on working effectively on our writing and scholarship. We will meet virtually from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. on Fridays (Feb. 4, Feb. 25, March 25, April 22, May 13) to discuss issues with getting writing done and workshop work-in-progress, with optional additional meetings for writing quietly together.

Our goal will be to help set ourselves up to make progress on our scholarship over the semester. To the degree faculty are interested, we will read and discuss Joli Jensen’s book Write No Matter What. The session will also include discussion/workshop of the faculty members’ own scholarship and on-site writing time.

This writers’ workshop has been generously supported by the Provost’s Office, the Humanities Center, and the Dean of the College of the Arts and Sciences. There are spots for ten faculty participants. Should more than ten individuals express interest, priority shall be given to 1) Those who actively participated in the previous Faculty Writers’ Groups, 2) Tenure-track faculty who are not yet tenured, 3) Faculty who are members of groups under-represented. Participants who attend all five sessions will receive a stipend of $150 (approximately$109+38% benefits).If you are interested in participating, please fill out the interest form by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28.

If you have questions, please contact the co-facilitators of the FWW, Nate Holdren (nate.holdren@drake.edu) and En Li (en.li@drake.edu).

— Nate Holdren, Law, Politics & Society; and En Li, History Department

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10 – Spring development opportunities, Center for Teaching Excellence plus Deputy Provost’s Office

Every Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

In January, more than two dozen faculty gathered across three mornings for workshops on pedagogical problem-solving, syllabus construction and the scholarship of teaching and learning, and setting appropriate goals for scholarship/creative work plus service in the spring. You can access recordings of these development opportunities here, in the folder for the Center for Teaching Excellence on Drake’s Panopto page.

We have several more faculty development opportunities planned for this spring, through the Center for Teaching Excellence. Please keep your eye out in this space every week for Eventbrite links to sign up.

The opportunities include a Books for Breakfast series. We’ll read Kevin Gannon’s teaching manifesto Radical Hope in February, and Jennifer Louden’s creativity manifesto Why Bother? in April.  Sean Severe (Associate Dean in CBPA) and Natalie Bayer (Associate Dean in A&S) have agreed to co-lead two sessions on Nathan Grawe’s newest book on meeting the challenges of the demographic trends in higher education, The Agile College, in March.

You can sign up for the February Books for Breakfast here. We’ll chat about Radical Hope on Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 in Howard Hall (I’ll bring pastries, tea, and instant coffee) from 8:30–9:30 a.m. If you want to talk about Radical Hope, but cannot make this time work, please email renee.cramer@drake.edu and we’ll think about finding a supplemental time.

CTE will also sponsor lunches this spring to talk about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning—inviting our colleagues to share their research, and brainstorm about potential projects.  And, CTE will host faculty development relating to delivering on the promise of our AOI core curriculum, developed with help from the Drake Curriculum and Assessment Committee.

In May, we’ll have two-day workshops for new and aspiring FYS instructors, as well as for faculty interested in making sure their courses are absolutely accessible when they migrate to virtual spaces. Finally, keep your eyes out for a reprise of the goal-setting workshop. We’ll meet in community to plan a restful and productive summer for our 9- and 12-month faculty.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10 – Reminders about remote teaching and learning

Every Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

Welcome to the spring semester! As you know—because you’re in the midst of it—we have moved to two weeks of remote instruction to begin the semester. In coordination with Drake’s Office of Global Engagement, as well as Drake Online and Continuing Education, I want to share these six essential steps to making the first two weeks work well for you and your students.

  1. Use Blackboard Learn Ultra. Our LMS allows you to easily distribute course materials, share your syllabus and course schedule, provide resources for support, communicate with students, and manage attendance. When we all use one common LMS, students know where and when their courses are and will experience less confusion these first two weeks.
  2. Use Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom when you meet with your students synchronously. Both are available through Blackboard Learn Ultra within your course. Students simply click the appropriate link within the course to “attend.” Using these within the course will simplify your communication to students and lessen any complications to joining their course.
  3. Create simple modules within Blackboard. Creating one or two simple modules for the first two weeks will help direct students to the right materials, readings, schedule, etc. Setting up a module in Blackboard is straightforward, once you know the steps. Drake Online has a quick video that can walk you through the steps if needed; ITS has a knowledge base article on building courses within the LMS.
  4. Communicate with your students. Send an email to students to share your plan for the first two weeks. Include all information about where and how you will meet, about what your expectations are, and about your learning objectives. A good practice is to sign-post everything; another good practice is to over-communicate: have the same information in multiple places (in the syllabus, on the course Blackboard site, as part of your introductory comments in class, as an announcement that is emailed). And remember, clear communication isn’t haphazard—it isn’t useful to email students every time you remember something, rather, plan your communications.
  5. Build engagement during these first two weeks. Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, and Zoom all have features that help build engagement and a sense of community.  Use discussion boards, breakout rooms, and other online activities that will help build excitement for your class and the semester. Even if you don’t normally have a group exercise, adding something small during the first two weeks will help our students interact with each other. A good example might be to have small groups find what they have in common as a “introduction” exercise. This is even more fun if you tell your students the commonality can’t have anything to do with Drake or their majors—but center instead on a favorite food, or a common popular culture reference.
  6. Support your international students who are remote these two weeks. In support of Drake as global university and in the spirit of flexibility, faculty are asked to be mindful that during the two-week remote period, there may be international students joining your classes remotely from other parts of the world and therefore different time zones. In addition, some international locations may have less stable internet connectivity.  Please work individually with these students to ensure the right balance of synchronous or asynchronous learning.

Doing these things will help set up your semester for success during the first two weeks. They represent the minimum expectation of what we want our online and remote instruction to embody to ensure students are engaged and satisfied with their learning experience. Thank you for the work you do to make a Drake education an excellent education.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive

New Crew Scholars opportunities for Drake faculty

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is thrilled to announce that the Crew Scholars Program is expanding. Beginning Fall 2022 the Crew program will triple in size, growing from one entering first year cohort of 20–25 students, to three EFR cohorts of 20–25 students each.

Three Drake faculty members will be competitively selected, each of whom will work with one Crew cohort for the 2022–2023 academic year in partnership with the Director of Equity and Inclusion Jazlin Coley.

Position Description – Crew faculty will:

  • serve as the instructor of record, alongside Director of Equity and Inclusion, for two one-credit Crew courses (pass/fall; no grading), taught in each of fall and spring semesters during the 22-23 academic year;
  • Participate in Crew Days (pre-Welcome Week orientation): August 21-23, 2022;
  • Provide consistent weekly contact hours (standing and “as needed”) for one EFR Crew cohort (20-25 students);
  • Provide occasional communication to Crew Mentors, and otherwise support connection and relationship-building between Crew students and Crew Mentors (mentors trained and assigned by Director of Equity and Inclusion and Associate Provost of Campus Equity and Inclusion).
  • **During summer of 2022 a small number of communications to incoming students, as well as limited participation in summer orientation sessions will be ideal (mutually acceptable/feasible engagement will be worked out with Director of Equity and Inclusion).
  • This is a one year appointment.

Qualifications – Successful candidates will have:

  • served on the Drake faculty for at least three years and currently have an ongoing faculty appointment;
  • a prior demonstrated commitment to the success of Drake students who are historically underrepresented, as well as an understanding of Drake’s commitment to DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) and the ways the Crew Scholars Program reflects that commitment;
  • an unwavering investment in championing Drake students who both experience various barriers related to systems of inequity and injustice (especially as these correlate with racial/ethnic identities and socioeconomic experiences), but who are also ready, able and eager to thrive and lead as members of this campus community;
  • a willingness to learn, grow and collaborate with students, and equity and inclusions-committed Drake staff and faculty (especially affiliated with the Office of Equity and Inclusion), in a spirit of humility, commitment and creativity.

Compensation and support

  • Each Crew faculty member will be compensated a total of $5,000 over the course of the academic year (this rate reflects two 1-credit courses, each of which will be taught engaging with an existing curricular plan/schedule, as well as obligations to provide contact hours and mentoring responsibilities essential to the success of Crew Scholars).
  • Each faculty member will be directly supported by the Director of Equity and Inclusion who is responsible for the staff leadership of the Crew Scholars Program, as well as by the Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion under whose supervision/support the Crew Scholars Program resides.
  • The Associate Provost will work with Crew Faculty to ensure all necessary documentation and communication is executed to ensure this vital institutional work is visible and counted in faculty member’s unit evaluation/promotion processes.

Application process

  • Applications are due by Monday, February 14, 2022.
  • Please submit to the Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion, harvey@drake.edu, the following materials:
    • A statement of interest that
      • describes applicant’s qualifications,
      • articulates applicant’s commitment to the well-being and thriving of historically underrepresented students, understanding of Drake’s approach to DEIJ as an institutional value, any prior experience with the Crew Scholars Program and/or other initiatives pertaining to student success and institutional transformation,
      • and speaks to readiness and ability to incorporate the time and energy required in this role into 22-23 workload.
    • An updated c.v.
    • A brief statement of support from chair of department or appropriate unit leadership indicating support for this overload appointment.
  • Interviews will be conducted during late February with the goal of making appointments by early March 2022.

— Jen Harvey, Associate Provost, Campus Equity and Inclusion

For Faculty Archive

Applications invited for Troyer Research Fellowship

In 2009, the Board of Trustees of Drake University voted to create the Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Endowment for full-time faculty members in recognition of Dr. Troyer’s many contributions to Drake University during his tenure as Provost, 2000–2009.  In creating this fellowship, the Trustees particularly wanted to recognize Provost Troyer’s unwavering commitment to the support of faculty research and development at the highest level.

The Troyer Research Fellow receives a stipend of $5,000 in support of his/her scholarly work.  The funds may be used for a variety of research-related purposes, including support of research assistants, equipment, travel and materials, but may not be used to provide a stipend for the recipient.  The funds must be expended by the end of the fiscal year for which they are awarded.

The Troyer Fellowship is awarded annually on the basis of a competitive application process conducted by the Office of the Provost.  Selection of the Troyer Research Fellow from among the applicants is based on the applicant’s record of scholarly accomplishment and future promise as a scholar. Applicants must be full-time faculty who hold the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor and are in at least their fourth year of teaching at Drake University; faculty who have had a Troyer Research Fellowship in the past 10 years are ineligible to apply.

Applicants should submit a current curriculum vitae, a letter of application of no more than three pages, a preliminary budget suggesting how the fellowship dollars might be spent, and a one-paragraph abstract written for a non-specialist audience that summarizes the proposed research. The application letter should address the applicant’s record of scholarly accomplishment, future promise, how they will benefit and how the university will benefit if selected as the Troyer Research Fellow.

Please email applications to the Office of the Deputy Provost, via emails to both renee.cramer@drake.edu and  nicki.kimm@drake.edu on or before March 18, 2022. A committee comprised of faculty holding University professorships will review the applications, making a recommendation for the award to the Provost.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Back to campus ITS update

Welcome Back! Here’s what’s new over winter break from ITS as well as a reminder of what ITS offers and how to get assistance if needed.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) now required: ITS rolled out a new method of multi-factor authentication earlier this month. This means you’ll need to use Microsoft Authenticator to prove your identity every time you log into key campus systems including myDrake, Blackboard, Self Service (formerly MyDUSIS), and Touchnet. This will help keep your information, and campus information more secure. Learn more about setting up using the Microsoft Authenticator app or text messages or calls at Using Multi-factor Authentication (FAQ).

MyDUSIS is now Self Service: The MyDUSIS link in the Commonly Used Apps section of myDrake was changed to Self Service and takes you to a new landing page–see Navigating Self Service (How-to). Additionally, other former MyDUSIS-related links have been renamed or removed as Self Service has prominent links to access key functions. You’ll see new screens for faculty and advising functions and will need to use MFA to access all Self Service screens. Learn more about the changes in these Self Service Guides for Faculty & Staff.

ITS News & Announcements: Information on outages, new initiatives, and other news can be found at drake.edu/its, on service.drake.edu/its, or by following @DrakeITServices on Twitter. Want outage notifications texted to you? Opt in by texting DrakeITS2021 to phone number 226787. We also include regular announcements in OnCampus.

IT Service Portal: You can visit the IT Service Portal at service.drake.edu/its 24/7 to browse for tech guides, see what Drake ITS offers, or request assistance with a tech issue.

Support Center: The ITS support center is located in the lower level of Carnegie Hall but is not currently available for faculty and staff walk ins. Phone support is available 24/7 by calling 515-271-3001 or you can report an issue using the IT service portal.

Have a classroom emergency? Call 515-271-3002. There’s also an on-campus support technician Saturdays from 8–12 p.m.

Need online training resources? Check out our curated list at Technology Training Resources for Faculty & Staff.

New and not sure where to get started? Visit service.drake.edu/its/newfacstaff.

—Carla Herling, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

New: Email signature generator

University Communications and Marketing has developed an email signature generator to help faculty and staff easily create a personalized email signature. The tool contains two signatures to choose from: A standard signature with the Drake University logo and a campaign signature boasting The Ones logo. Faculty and staff are invited to use either design.

Note: The email signature generator links will require you to login with your University credentials.

The email signature generator can be found in UCM’s online toolkit.

— Kelsey Faybik, University Communications and Marketing

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

From the Deputy Provost: Student mental health (and ours)

Kayla Bell-Consolver, the director of Drake’s Student Counseling Center, shared this helpful document with me.  It was created by Amber Willis, a counselor with the center, primarily to help students as they study abroad this spring—but: I think it is very useful for faculty who may encounter student mental health concerns with from-abroad returning students, advisees who are abroad, and … well …. just about anyone on campus dealing with continual disruptions and stress (ourselves included). I hope you find these tips useful to share with students and colleagues alike.

Taking care of your mental health while studying abroad
Although studying abroad is an exciting time, it is a time of many changes and adjustments. The following is a list of warning signs that indicate that your mental health may need some additional attention. It is normal to not feel this way immediately. Many students experience these feelings after a few weeks/months of being in a new country. Following the warning signs are suggestions that will help you become aware of how you are feeling and ways to combat distressing mental health changes.

Warning signs

  • Sadness
  • Severe and persistent homesickness
  • Frequent crying
  • Nervousness
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in sleep
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability/Anger
  • Physical symptoms (headache, belly ache, etc.)

Ways to maintain/improve mental health

  • Check in with yourself every day! Rate your mood, ask how yourself how you are feeling.
  • Spend time with yourself journaling. Find time to not only reflect on your experiences, but how you feel and how those experiences impact you.
  • Maintain a routine as much as possible. Have the same morning routine, exercise every day, take time each night for self-care.
  • Maintain contact with friends and family on a regular basis. If you feel like this is difficult for you to do, communicate with them and encourage them to reach out to you regularly.
  • Eat healthy food/eat 3 meals a day. This is your fuel – treat this with a high priority!
  • Get no less than 8 hours of sleep each night. It is normal for your sleep habits/patterns to be different for the first week.  Do your best to have a nighttime routine to encourage healthy sleep habits.
  • Take care of basic hygiene – showering, brushing teeth, getting dressed. These are all things that can improve your mood.
  • Be physically active as much as possible – try to take a walk with a peer every day.
  • Download mental health app (Headspace, Snapshot, etc) to hold yourself accountable for personal check-ins.
  • Talk to a peer in your program about how you are doing. They likely are having similar experiences and can help normalize your thoughts/feelings.
  • Do things that have always made you feel better: warm bath, reading, calling a friend.
  • Take time to immerse yourself in new traditions (try new food, participate in native activities, etc)
  • Bring enough refills for medications.
  • Reduce drug and alcohol use.
  • Make a list of your own personal warning signs. What do bad days look like for you?  Compare this list to how you are feeling today.
  • If you are feeling suicidal, reach out to a peer or a suicide hotline.

It is important to remember that struggling with your mental health while studying abroad is normal. Being out of your regular routine and without your typical support system can cause feelings of distress, loneliness and feeling out of control. It is critical to employ these strategies to help you manage and make the most out of your study abroad experience.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost