Human Resources and All Staff Council are putting together a Smile Slideshow and we need your help. We need a picture of you smiling! It can be a picture of you alone, or with your family, friends, co-workers, or pets. The only requirement is that the picture must include you and you must be smiling in the photo.
The smiling photos will be compiled into a slideshow and posted on myDrake for easy access when you need a break to see some smiles.
If you would like to help us out, please email a copy of your smiling digital image, by Friday, Feb. 19, to linda.feiden@drake.edu.
Sign up for an in-person GroupX class or attend a virtual on-demand class. In-person fitness classes began Monday, Feb. 15, but virtual on-demand classes are still accessible throughout the semester. Sign up on the Drake Rec App or imleagues.com/drake.
Don’t forget, when you attend 15 classes this semester you will earn a free T-shirt. Both in-person and virtual classes count toward your total.
Space is limited for in-person formats, so make sure you sign up early and remove yourself if you are no longer able to attend.
There is still time to submit your research for the Nelson Student Research Symposium!
The symposium will take place March 5 during the 2021 Global Citizen Forum, giving Drake students the opportunity to share their research related to international and global topics.
This year’s theme is “International Perspectives on Racial Justice.” While research presentations that support the theme are encouraged, all global topics from any academic discipline are welcome.
Submission details:
Submit your paper or concept via the online submission form for consideration. Deadline: Feb. 18, 2021.
Drake undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to present their research.
Information about past symposia is available on our website.
— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Partnerships Coordinator
Drake is partnering with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) to host the Global Citizen Forum March 3–5. This virtual conference will bring together educators, students, policy makers, and citizens from around the world to explore the struggles, strategies, and solutions for creating a more equitable and inclusive higher education field.
Registration is open! Faculty and staff are eligible to attend all three days of the conference free of charge by using the access code DUFACSTAFF at registration. Register now.
Undergraduate and graduate students may also attend free of charge by selecting the “student” ticket type. Register now.
Drake student opportunity We are still accepting submissions for the Nelson Student Research Symposium, taking place on the final day of the conference. This will be an opportunity for Drake students to share their research related to international and global topics. The submission deadline is Feb. 18.
— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Partnerships Coordinator
As departments and academic programs start to plan for possible summer youth programs, including camps, we are providing some tools to facilitate review of your planned activity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. All programs and campus must complete this process. The first step is to complete an online program description form aimed at collecting key information about the program and planned health and safety protocols.
This will prompt a review by appropriate individuals, including the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. This review will also help ensure that things like custodial and food service support are available, as these services require additional planning in light of COVID-19 protocols. Program sponsors can begin publicizing the program after this review is complete.
As with all things related to the pandemic, it is important to keep in mind that all youth programs and events are subject to change or cancellation if conditions change.
This Q&A is part of the story series Voices of Drake that highlights the diversity, ambition, and passion of the incredible people who make up our campus community. In honor of Black History Month, we will be sharing a collection of interviews to spotlight Black voices in our community. This week’s story introduces Brandi Miller, assistant director of new student programs.
Brandi Miller, assistant director of new student programs, has worked at Drake for almost 20 years. In addition to supporting Black faculty and staff, her favorite things about working at Drake include the flexibility, opportunities for professional development—working in an environment where you are encouraged to learn and grow—and of course the students.
Tell us about yourself. I am a native of Des Moines and a proud east-sider. I graduated from North High School. I am married to Kenan Miller. Together we have five adult children and eight grandchildren.
Tell us about your education. Where did you go to school and what did you study? I attended Grand View College (now University) on the east side of Des Moines. My undergraduate degree is in human services. I have a minor in psychology. I also earned my MPA with an emphasis in executive development from Drake.
How long have you been in the Drake campus community? I am assistant director of new student programs in the Office of Student Financial Planning. I work with new and prospective students. I have been at Drake for 19 years and Student Financial Planning for all of those years. Before hired full-time at Drake, I completed an internship with the director of student activities during my senior year at Grand View.
You are the organizer for Drake’s African American Faculty/Staff Affinity Group. How has the organization been important to you during your time at Drake? Being the Black Faculty and Staff Affinity Group Champion is one of my favorite things about working at Drake. I love meeting and connecting with new faculty and staff of color and learning about them and where they come from.
These aren’t normal times, but in normal times, what kinds of things does the African American Affinity Group do? We had one normal semester that included two small gatherings and a few regular meetings at the Black Cultural Center/House. We kicked off the fall semester with an ice cream social and ended with a holiday party. Then COVID-19 hit. We took Spring 2020 off. We resumed meeting in Fall 2020. We began having monthly virtual brown bag meetings, which allow us to check in with one another. This is a time of self-care for many of us. I leave energized.
How long have you been at Drake? What is your favorite thing about working at Drake? I have worked at Drake for 19 years. Nov. 1 will be 20 years for me. In addition to supporting Black faculty and staff, my favorite things about working at Drake have been the flexibility, opportunities for professional development—working in an environment where you are encouraged to learn and grow—and of course the students.
I have had some amazing opportunities that include serving our professional organization IASFAA (Iowa Association Student Financial Aid Administrators) and going on a study abroad site visit in 2003. I also really enjoy working with the students. Seeing students years later still in the Des Moines area, serving now their community, and showing love and respect toward me makes working at Drake special. Oh, and I can’t forget, my son graduated from Drake in Spring 2020. I am a Bulldog, and now I have a Bulldog.
What is your favorite thing about the Drake neighborhood? I don’t have just one favorite thing about the neighborhood, but our campus is beautiful year-round.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and what lessons did that person teach you? There are too many to mention. One that I think of often is Evelyn K Davis. She was my aunt and an activist in Des Moines. There is a park and building named after her. I remember her for the love she showed me and the words of wisdom that anchored me while going through college. I wish I could tell her I’m doing great. She probably wouldn’t be surprised. She seemed to see something in me when I couldn’t.
How do you like to spend your free-time? Tell us about your hobbies and interests. I love cycling in my free time. I enjoy running and hiking. I enjoy spending time with my family. I enjoy time with my grandchildren—we have eight and one on the way. In my spare time, I am Co-founder and President of Black Women 4 Healthy Living. We are a nonprofit that focuses on the wellness of Black women in the Greater Des Moines area. We work to see Black women well in mind, healthy in body, and strong in spirit. I am also a Girl Scout Troop Leader in the metro. If you need some Girl Scout cookies, we got you. I am the Troops Cookie manager.
This year is a year like no other. What advice would you like to give to a first-year student at Drake? Create a healthy routine and stick with it. This may take some adjusting, but work it out. Take control of your time. Don’t let time control you. Have a quiet time to refresh yourself daily. Take breaks to sharpen your ax. You will be able to cut down more trees and be more productive. Don’t push through. It is okay to take a break. Then get back at it. Take care of your spiritual and mental health. I am a person of faith and without God, I am nothing, could do nothing, and would be nothing. So, I make time with Him each day. Scheduled time for physical activity, self-care, and rest. Try to get some veggies and fruits in. Drink water. I cannot say it enough, rest. Last but not least, you can do anything, but you can’t do everything.
Join the Provost for a conversation on the political climate on Drake’s campus on Friday, Feb. 26, from 1–2 p.m. via Zoom. Visit the Campus Calendar for the link.
This session will provide some preliminary statistics on how faculty, staff, and students are perceiving the climate on campus, followed by a time to discuss challenges and brainstorm solutions.
Faculty: Please answer the Cowles Library survey and tell us what impact last summer’s cancellation of databases and journals has had on you. It’s a short survey, and we want to hear from everyone. Take the survey.
The University Bookstore is hosting a Graduate Fair March 3–4 and will include custom fitting for faculty regalia. For details contact Kyle McVay at kyle.mcvay@drake.edu.
The Adams Leadership Convocation is an annual, campus-wide event that celebrates the achievements of student leaders and organizations at Drake University. Each spring we honor students and organizations who have made valuable contributions to the campus community through their outstanding commitment to leadership.
This year’s Adams Leadership Awards nomination form has opened early in an effort to nominate students and student organizations throughout the spring semester.
Please see this full list of award categories and criteria and consider nominating Drake students and student organizations who’ve exhibited strong leadership and excellence throughout the 2020–2021 academic year using the link below. Nominations can be submitted by any Drake student, faculty, and/or staff any time between now and Sunday, April 4, 2021.
In addition to submitting your nominations, please save the date for this year’s Adams Leadership Convocation on Friday, April 30th (format to be determined by COVID-19).
Questions? Contact Kristin Economos (Director of Student Leadership Programs) at kristin.economos@drake.edu.
— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
