Category Archives: 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

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

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

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

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

In Memoriam: Harold Dueker Swanson

It is with great sadness we share the passing of Harold Dueker Swanson, 91, of La Crosse, WI, who was a biology professor at Drake University for 35 years.

Harold was born in 1930 on a farm near Wichita, Kansas, to Simon and Ottilia (Dueker) Swanson, and grew up there. He died Jan. 1, 2022, and is survived by his wife, Wanda; children Kristin (Alan Hecht), Mark (Nancy Schoenberg) and Celia Swanson; grandchildren Nathan, David (Abby Sterling) and Karin Hecht, and Rachel (Emerson Hardebeck) and Benjamin Swanson.

Harold received his bachelor’s degree from Friends University, Wichita, his master’s degree from the University of Kansas, and his doctorate from the University of Tennessee. He also spent a year in Norway studying on a Fulbright scholarship, where he and Wanda spent the first year of their marriage.

One of his defining characteristics was his insatiable curiosity about the world, as well as the desire to share his fascinations with students, friends and family. Once retired, he and Wanda traveled the world, visiting all 50 states and all the continents except Antarctica.

Due to COVID restrictions, a memorial service will be postponed until a later date. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse are in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.

Find Harold’s complete obituary here: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/obituaries/dmr119380.

Reminder: MyDUSIS has been replaced by Self Service

As part of the project to update the former MyDUSIS system that began this past May (new My Information and Employee Dashboard screens), these changes were implemented last week:

On myDrake:

  • 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 navigation guide linked below)
  • The My Information link was removed from the Commonly Used Apps section (it is still in the HR section for faculty/staff and the My Drake Profile section for students)
  • Other former MyDUSIS-related links have been renamed or removed as Self Service has prominent links to access key functions

In Self Service (formerly MyDUSIS):

Please remember multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now required for accessing Self Service. Learn more about MFA and see links to guides on how to use it at Multi-factor Authentication Project (FAQ).

Kris Brewster, ITS

Call for nominations: Principal Global Citizenship Award

Nominations are being accepted for the Principal Global Citizenship Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to global engagement and internationalization of the campus and curriculum on the part of faculty or staff. The selected awardee will receive a plaque, up to $3,000, and will be announced at the 2022 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 Monday, Feb.14, 2022. 

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 2021 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:

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, 2022 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.

— Annique Kiel, Global Engagement

Call for nominations: Principal Global Practitioner/Scholar-in-Residence

The Office of Global Engagement invites nominations for the Principal Global Practitioner/Scholar-in-Residence Program for 2022–2023, seeking to attract talented individuals from academia or the professions who have outstanding international expertise to teach a course, mentor students, give public lectures, work on joint research with faculty, and aid the global capacity-building of the institution as a whole through fruitful collaborations. Nominations will be considered for fall, spring, or the full academic year.

Nomination Instructions:
Candidates should be nominated by faculty or administrators within the academic unit to which they will be attached. (Candidates must be non-Drake faculty or employees). Please submit the following supporting materials:

  • A nomination letter discussing the qualifications of the candidate and expected contributions to the department and Drake University as a whole
  • Candidate’s biographical information
  • A letter of interest from the candidate
  • A letter of support from the department chair and college/school dean

Nominations should be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, by Feb. 18, 2022. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with Annique prior to submission (annique.kiel@drake.edu).

Among the criteria to be considered for the nominee:
1. A record of recognized leadership in a global context and distinguished professional accomplishment in their field
2. A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship
3. An ability to bring global perspectives and experiences to the Drake community
4. A willingness and ability to offer a course(s) that complements the existing curriculum and meets rigorous academic standards.

In recognition of their contributions, Global Practitioners/Scholars receive a stipend, a travel allowance, an appropriate workspace in the host college/school, and access to university facilities. Global Practitioners/Scholars will be affiliated with an appropriate academic unit for at least one semester and offer at least one course per term.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Principal Center for Global Citizenship, housed within the Office of Global Engagement.

Annique Kiel, Global Engagement

Iowa Labor Commission not adopting OSHA ETS

On Friday (Jan. 7), Iowa’s labor commissioner announced that Iowa submitted official notice that it will not be adopting or enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).

The ETS requires employers of 100 or more employees to require vaccination or weekly COVID testing of their employees.

Iowa is among 22 states that have an individual state plan for workplace safety, which gives the state the option of writing its own workplace rules for public and private sector workers. But those rules can’t be weaker than what the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires. Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts said in a news release that the state has determined its existing standards “are at least as effective as the federal standard change.”

Also on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether to reimpose a stay of the ETS. The Court has not yet issued a ruling.

Because of the legal challenge and the position of Iowa’s labor commissioner, Drake will delay taking additional steps to comply with the ETS until there is greater legal clarity.

In the meantime, Drake strongly encourages all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine—including a booster shot—when advised. Employees who choose to get vaccinated should provide proof of vaccination through Drake’s secure online form. If you have previously provided proof of vaccination and have since received a booster shot, please upload a photo of your updated vaccination card, noting the completion of your booster, by selecting “submit proof of booster.”

Questions about the ETS or Drake’s decision to delay implantation can be directed to drakehr@drake.edu.

Maureen De Armond, Human Resources; Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety