Later this month, Drake University will welcome Tim Bono to campus as the keynote speaker for the 2019 Sussman Leadership Conference, where he’ll speak to undergraduate student leaders about his research regarding college student well-being, happiness, and their connections to student success.

Bono is a faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis, where he studies positive psychology, wellbeing, and happiness among college students. Bono’s book, When Likes Aren’t Enough, discusses 10 evidence-based strategies proven to increase college student well-being, and is used in the Adams Leadership Institute curriculum.

As part of his visit to campus, the Adams Leadership Institute is hosting a faculty/staff development session with Bono.

Title: “The Psychology of Mindset and Resilience: A faculty/staff development workshop.”

When: Monday, Oct. 28, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
(light breakfast will be available beginning at 9 a.m.)

Where: Levitt Hall (no RSVP required)

Failure and setbacks are part of any successful person’s path. But how can we muster the strength to persevere when times are most trying?

Join us for a presentation highlighting the latest research and perspectives from positive psychology on the of mindset and resilience. We will discuss resilience as a life skill, misconceptions about self-esteem, and practical strategies for rebounding from adversity, both for our students and for ourselves.

Please share the events details with your colleagues and networks.

— Kristin Economos, Director, Student Leadership Programs

Provost Sue Mattison will hold her second “Open Office @ Cowles” on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 9–10:30 a.m. Faculty and staff are welcome to stop by the Coffee Shop with questions, ideas, or just to say hello. The Provost will hold open office hours twice per month.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), and ITS is sharing information on cyber security topics all month long. Using technology safely and securely doesn’t need to be overwhelming or confusing. Regardless of what tech you’re using or how you’re using it, here are some simple practices to keep you and your devices secure. 

Passphrases: The old eight-character password is outdated and vulnerable. Instead, create a long and unique passphrase using a series of words strung together. Length is the key component, not numbers or symbols. Make sure each site has a unique passphrase, so that if one is compromised, your other accounts remain safe. Can’t remember them all? Use a password manager. Most also include features like auto-fill, update reminders, and multi-factor authentication. 

Updates: Make sure your computers, devices, and apps are running their latest versions. Attackers are constantly working to exploit bugs in consumer and enterprise software. By installing updates promptly and restarting the devices after those updates, you make it much harder to be attacked. To stay current, enable automatic updating whenever possible. This rule applies to almost any connected technology, including smart TVs, security cameras and doorbells, home routers and modems, game consoles, even your car. 

Backups and recovery: Despite following most security advice, you may still find yourself the victim of an attack. When that happens, often the only way to restore documents is through data backups. Back up tax returns, receipts, health documents, and other important information regularly, preferably to cloud storage.  

You: Technology alone cannot fully protect you; you are your best defense. Attackers know that the easiest way to get what they want is to target you rather than your devices. If they want your password, financial information, or identity, they’ll usually try to trick you into voluntarily giving it away, often through a sense of urgency. The best way to thwart their efforts is by slowing down. Carefully review emails for red flags, like an unfamiliar email address, or unexpected request, or just a gut feeling. Improper grammar and typos are no longer accurate indications. 

ITS will continue to simulate phishing attacks in October and will assign training to individuals who are routinely susceptible to attacks. For more information on how to report phishing emails, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to). 

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS 

Plan to attend a Town Hall meeting prior to the Provost’s Drake Social at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Shivers Hospitality Suite. The Town Hall will include the premier of the promotional videos for the 2019 Campus Climate Assessment and provide some great information on how you can be a part of this important effort to DU What Matters. The first 15 people to arrive will receive a special incentive. The Provost’s Drake Social will begin immediately following the Town Hall at 4 p.m.

— Erin Lain, Associate Provost, Campus Equity & Inclusion/ Associate Professor of Law

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value Joyful Accountability will be recognized at the upcoming Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4–6 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite.

To nominate a colleague, please fill out a Qualtrics form. You can nominate up to five colleagues on each form. Feel free to fill out multiple forms. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display.

— Drinda Williams, Academic Support Specialist, Office of the Provost