Applications to become a Peer Mentor/Academic Consultant (PMAC) are due Feb. 14. Apply today. Visit the PMAC website to learn more about the program.
An informational session will be held on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. (CST) via Zoom. Register for the info session.
PMACs leave a lasting impact on incoming first-year students. They aim to assist new first-year students in feeling welcome, comfortable, and connected at Drake.
Contact pab@drake.edu with any questions.
— Kyle Tekautz, JO’21
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 Layana Sariah, junior at Drake and president of the Coalition of Black Students.
What is the Coalition of Black Students (CBS)?
The Coalition of Black Students is an inclusive multicultural organization that seeks to unite, empower, and educate the Black/African American Student Community through top quality social, cultural, and academic programming initiatives.
How did you get involved with CBS?
I got involved with CBS my first year at Drake within the first few weeks of school. I began attending events and most if not all of their events were something, I enjoyed so I just continued to attend events. With this most of my friends were apart of CBS as well.
What has it meant to you during your time at Drake?
CBS has been very influential in my Drake experience. Majority of my favorite memories are from CBS events or with CBS members. This organization has always made me feel comfortable with being myself and has provided the familiarity and home aspect that I was looking for on campus. This organization was essential in my adjustment to the Drake community and assisting with my comfortability on campus.
What does a robust and active CBS mean to the Drake community?
A robust and active CBS means that all of Drake’s Black students are being taken care of. They have a regular space that they can be themselves and feel like they are getting support. Having an active CBS ensures that Black students on campus feel more comfortable in the Drake Community. Being Black in the world today especially at a predominately white institution it is vital that these students feel supported but also a place where they can get away from the stressors the world or campus can provide.
How, if at all, does your role as President of CBS connect with your studies at Drake or your future career plans?
I am studying psychology in hopes that I can have a private practice as a psychologist. Along with that I want to start a nonprofit that offers patient catered therapy. I especially would like to focus on improving and changing the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community. Mental health issues are ignored in our community, and in my career, I would like to bring more awareness to it and normalize it. I will do that by becoming a mental health professional which add to the amount of people that look like us in the mental health field. As the CBS president, I am able to host events that can contribute to improving the mental health of Black students on campus. I do this through my role as president by checking in and connecting with my members but also through our events. We host events where our members can have the space to participate in various forms of self-care. We also have events that bring attention to mental health problems specifically in our community. One way we have done this is through a mental health panel. At this panel, we had all Black individuals with various backgrounds in mental health come together and talk about mental health and self-care in our community and this aided in bringing awareness to it but also normalizing it.
What are you excited about for the future of CBS or the Drake community more broadly?
I am very excited for CBS to grow. With how vital CBS is on Drake’s campus I am excited to hopefully spread the same influential experience that CBS has had on me to other students. Since my first year, I noticed a small increase to the number of Black students on Drake’s campus and so with that growing I am really excited to how that can impact CBS.
Who have been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
One of my mentors on campus is Debra DeLaet. She has been my mentor since my first year and it was through the Crew Scholars program that we got connected. She has been very supportive of me and my Drake experience.
What would you like the broader Drake community to know about CBS?
I would like the broader Drake community to know that CBS is very important to Drake’s campus. We may not be big in numbers like other organizations but that does not make us any less important. We are vital to the Drake community and we should not go overlooked or unnoticed. Along with that I would like people to know that although we contribute to helping our members feel supported and welcomed on Drake’s campus, we are not the only ones who should be doing the work. Our goal is to unite, empower, and educate Black and African American students on this campus, but membership in our organization is open to anyone. Anyone is able to come to our events and learn how to be an advocate for the Black community.
The Drake women’s basketball team will host its annual Pink Game presented by MercyOne Medical Center Des Moines during the upcoming Southern Illinois series, Feb. 11–12. The team will wear pink jerseys for each game and fans are encouraged to wear pink to the games as well.
Traditionally, every year Drake Athletics recognizes cancer survivors on court at halftime of the Pink Game. Since Drake Athletics is limiting court access to essential personnel, we will honor those people who have fought or are still fighting cancer with a special recognition on the video board. Please complete this questionnaire for you or someone else to be a part of this special digital recognition that will take place at halftime of the Friday, Feb. 12, game against the Salukis. All submissions are due by midnight on Feb. 9.
— Aimee Lane, Athletics
Drake Track and Field is looking to hire a student manager to work alongside Head Coach Asha Gibson for on-field data collection and processing, practice set-up and/or breakdown, and occasional video recording. The student manager would work directly with the sprints, hurdles, horizontal jumps, and relay events. The student manager must comply with set guidelines, rules, and regulations of Drake University, the NCAA, and the Missouri Valley Conference.
To apply, submit cover letter and resume to Asha Gibson, head track and field coach, at asha.gibson@drake.edu.
Required Qualifications
Current Drake student
Schedule that aligns with track and field practice times (3 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)
Preferred Qualifications
Proficient with Microsoft Excel (or equivalent)
Prior track and field/athletic experience
General digital and/or social media experience or working knowledge
Job Description
— Attend select practices to assist with practice set-up and/or breakdown, document practice results, and record select practice sessions.
— Attend track and field competitions to assist with the above mentioned.
— Attend track and field competitions and perform special duties assigned by the Head Track and Field Coach, Coordinator of Operations, and/or Director of Track and Field.
— Strong communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and student-athletes having a range of backgrounds, interests and perspectives.
Time Commitment & Compensation
Candidates are expected to commit up to 3–10 hours per week. This includes practice sessions and travel for competition (extended hours may be necessary). Drake University realizes that candidates may have additional school and job constraints; these conflicts will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. This is a volunteer position. Starting on or before Feb. 15, 2021.
— Brette Jensen, Women’s Track
The Harkin Institute is looking for undergraduates interested in public policy research, communications, or graphic design to join our student team. The Harkin Institute offers a unique professional experience to Drake students and is a great way to develop existing skills alongside other students. The Harkin Institute conducts policy research and programming in four focus areas, including disability policy, labor and employment, retirement security and wellness and nutrition. These positions are open to all students and you do not need to be pursuing a career in politics or research to apply.
Applications can be found on Handshake by searching The Harkin Institute and are due on Feb. 19 at 11:55 p.m. Please email kasey.springsteen@drake.edu with any questions.
— Kasey Springsteen, JO, AS’21
Terry Hartle is one of America’s most effective and experienced advocates for higher education. At the American Council on Education (ACE), where he has served for more than 20 years, he directs comprehensive efforts to engage federal policy makers on a broad range of issues including student aid, government regulation, scientific research and tax policy. Register here.
— Kayla Jenkins, Office of the Dean of Arts & Sciences
Are you a Drake male student who is looking for a scholarship which recognizes your achievements inside and outside of the classroom? Our organization is offering multiple scholarships—up to $500—for the Balanced Man Scholarship.
The Balanced Man Scholarship rewards students who have displayed academic excellence, leadership skills, and a commitment to their health and well-being. Our organization believes in recognizing students who demonstrate an all around balance in their everyday lives. We are committed to helping Drake students develop the skills they need to succeed in the classroom, future careers, and social organizations.
These scholarships will be awarded to the applicants who exemplify being a balanced man in their everyday lives. The awards will be presented at the socially distant Balanced Man Scholarship Ceremony early in the semester of Spring 2021. After applying online, applicants will be notified if they receive an interview. Interviews will be with 1 or 2 members of the scholarship committee to be completed on zoom.
The requirement for this application is that you are a current first-year, or sophomore male student at Drake University. The application deadline is Feb. 14 at midnight—it only takes 5-10 minutes to apply!
If you have any questions about the scholarship, please don’t hesitate to contact Jay Dichter via phone or email:
Phone: (651) 270-9099
Email: drakebalancedmanscholarship@gmail.com
— Jay Dichter, BN’23
Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.
We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.
We highly encourage you to attend our final information session being offered via Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. Sign up.
You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position. Learn more about the position and how to apply.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.
— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs
Drake Women’s Rowing is hosting an informational Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. No prior rowing experience is necessary to join the team. We welcome all women who wish to join an NCAA Division I sport, train with amazing teammates for conference championships, compete in a fun and challenging atmosphere, and increase physical fitness.
Please fill out our Google Form if you are interested in joining the team.
The link to the Zoom meeting will be available on the University Calendar.
Contact Drake Rowing Head Coach DiSilvestro with any questions: charlie.disilvestro@drake.edu.
— Ryli Smith, Athletics
After the switch to Teams calling, old phone handsets are no longer needed for individual extensions. Boxes are being placed in all campus buildings to collect these phones and recycle them.
Look for a cardboard box near your building’s mailboxes marked PHONE E-WASTE and recycle your phone handset before Feb. 26.
If you’re not going to be on campus before then, please work with your building manager or a colleague to ensure your phone handset is recycled properly.
—Chris Mielke, ITS
