Category Archives: For Staff Archive

FYS lunch/discussion Nov. 1

The third Friday FYS lunch/discussion is Friday, Nov. 1, at noon in TMR 133.  While these meetings are designed for those currently teaching FYS, we also welcome those with an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future. It is too late to order a lunch, but you are always welcome to attend without ordering a lunch.

— Art Sanders, Associate Provost

October’s featured digital faculty member: Megan Brady

Each month, a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. October’s digital faculty member of the month is Megan Brady, assistant professor of athletics training/coordinator of clinical education, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Read an interview with Megan below:

Which course do you use this technology in? Human Anatomy labs

What type of technology do you use? zSpace and Visible Body, 3D human anatomy dissection

In what context do you use this technology? Lab setting. Students “dissect” the human body to look at anatomical structures using the zSpace systems and Visible Body software. Students work in pairs, two students per zSpace system.

How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy? The human anatomy labs are very hands-on, so students learn by doing. My teaching pedagogy is surrounded by hands-on learning experiences, which I feel are very beneficial to learning.

Where did you get the inspiration to make a change? The zSpace systems and Visible Body software were introduced to me by a colleague. In years prior to my arrival at Drake, human anatomy labs were taught using anatomical models. The zSpace systems and Visible Body software provide students not only with visuals of the anatomical structures, but also added information related to each structure, as well as pathologies of each structure. The zSpace systems and Visible Body software provide students a solid foundational learning and understanding of human anatomy.

How long did it take for you to implement this technology? The zSpace systems and Visible Body software were purchased during the Fall 2016 semester, and we implemented them into the human anatomy labs in the Spring 2017 semester.

Did Drake ITS assist you in implementing this technology? Yes definitely. Anthony [Squire] has been an integral member of the zSpace systems/Visible Body software team. He set up all of the systems, ensured they were all working properly, and conducts regular updates and maintenance on all of the systems. If we have any hardware issues, Anthony also takes care of those. Our human anatomy labs would not be successful if Anthony were not a part of them.

Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.

—Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS

Honor Your Colleagues for Generosity of Spirit

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Generosity of Spirit will be recognized at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 4–5:30 p.m. in Cowles Library Reading Room.

To nominate a colleague, please use this 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.

How do we define Generosity of Spirit? We look for colleagues who trust, empower, and presume the best of each other; who practice civility, caring, and respect; who are committed to equity and inclusion. When you nominate colleagues, think about referencing some of these descriptions. From amongst those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes.

The November Drake Social will be preceded by a Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. regarding International Education Week. Several of our international partners will be in attendance.

Refreshments will include wine, beer, soft drinks, and light snacks. This is a family-friendly event.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

New URL for online orders of Drake gear

  • For online employee discount pricing, custom departmental items, and bulk orders for Drake gear, the Advanced Online site can now be found at drake.merchorders.com(formerly shop.drake.edu) 
  • As a reminder, employees enjoy 20% off Drake branded items. This discount also applies to applicable purchases at the University Bookstore in Olmsted.
  • For reference, the online University Bookstore site (yes, a second site!) has been greatly improved and can be found in a variety of ways, including shop.drake.edu.

— Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services

How to declutter your life

We’ve all got clutter.  It is one of those things that we think about and put on a list to tackle, but we just never seem to find time.  Besides the obvious benefit of decluttering, did you know that getting your stuff organized can actually improve your physical and mental health?

Join Cindy Torvik from Straighten Your Paths, on Oct. 24 from 2–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 & 311, as we “dig” into this topic. Not only will you get valuable decluttering tips, but one lucky person will win a prize!

Register on Eventbrite.

— Linda Feiden, Wellness & Recognition Specialist, HR

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lunch Oct. 25

The second Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunch is Friday, Oct. 25, at 12 p.m. in TMR 133. These discussions are opportunities for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one, to almost complete, or those simply curious about SoTL—to share ideas, seek advice or ask questions of colleagues engaged in this process. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are still welcome to join us, and bring your own.

— Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost

The Psychology of Mindset and Resilience: A Faculty/Staff Development Session with Tim Bono

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

Many honored by colleagues for Joyful Accountability

More than 80 Drake faculty and staff were honored by colleagues for exhibiting the Drake Core Value of Joyful Accountability. These individuals were honored at the Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, Oct. 17. Four individuals were selected at random to receive prizes.

  • Christine Urish, premiere parking spot for 1 month
  • Niki Smith, lavender bread
  • Michael Nelson, afternoon office treats
  • Scott Raecker, St. Kilda gift card

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify Generosity of Spirit will be honored at the next Drake Social, Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Switch to eduroam wireless network, DUFacStaff going away

This semester, ITS launched eduroam (education roaming), a new wireless network at Drake. Students, faculty, and staff can access the eduroam wireless network at any eduroam-participating institution worldwide. By connecting to eduroam on campus, using your Drake email and password, you will be able to use the eduroam network whenever you travel to an eduroam-participating institution. In Iowa, that includes University of Iowa, Iowa State, and University of Northern Iowa.

The eduroam network is available in over 1,000 locations in 100 countries, so if you lead a J-Term course, or attend a conference, you may be able to take your wireless network with you.

The eduroam network is replacing DUFacStaff on Dec. 31. You must log into eduroam using your Drake email address, rather than your Drake ID number. This ensures that your credentials are passed securely anywhere you connect to eduroam.

Learn more about eduroam on our FAQ page and make the switch today.

— Carla Herling, ITS