Giving a shout-out is a great way to recognize your colleagues for their hard work, talent, support, and creativity during a very challenging year, and it can simply brighten their day. 

As part of Staff Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging every staff member to submit a shout-out (formerly called Spotlight Stories) for a fellow colleague. Simply post a message on Twitter and Instagram using #DrakeBulldogs or submit a sentence of appreciation to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Shout-outs will be compiled and shared in OnCampus at the end of the month as well as on the University’s social media pages. Giving a shout-out is quick and easy—simply write a sentence or two thanking a co-worker or team for a job well-done, going the extra mile, or showing support during an ever-changing year.

To help you get started, here are a few shout-outs I would like to give:

• Facilities Planning and Management team: Thank you for the wonderful job you have done this past year maintaining our campus and buildings during the pandemic. We appreciate everything you do!
• All Staff Council:  Thank you for your hard work this past year finding ways to support staff both on campus and remotely.  From coordinating water cooler events to organizing the Called to be True Blue program, you are the best!

As an added bonus, everyone who sends in a shout-out will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes. 

Please take a few minutes to post or send in a shout-out to show your gratitude for our amazing colleagues!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Over the last year, we collectively have been challenged to change everything we do—from educating students and maintaining campus operations, to how we go about our lives at home and in the community. One consequence of not gathering as a campus community, is fewer opportunities to recognize and celebrate the work of our colleagues.

Human Resources and the All Staff Council are encouraging everyone to join us in showing our appreciation for the contributions of Drake staff during the month of March (and beyond!). This is a good time to nominate an individual or team through the All Staff Council’s Called to Be True Blue program. This award recognizes those who go above and beyond expectations to serve students, colleagues, and the Drake community.

We are working on additional ways to spotlight some of our employees who have made extraordinary efforts during this past year’s pandemic.

Human Resources will provide additional recognition tips and resources throughout the month of March. Take some time to let others know you appreciate their efforts.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As our inspiration statement declares, our University strives to transform lives and strengthen communities. This inspiration is often embodied in the work and accomplishments of our graduates. One such graduate, was Ms. Catherine Gayle Williams who passed away last spring at the age of 105.

While working as an assistant stenographer for Polk County, Ms. Williams decided to pursue a Drake degree in sociology part-time. Following her graduation in 1961, she joined the Iowa Department of Human Services where she embarked on a 30-year career of firsts. Ms. Williams established the first foster parent group for children with developmental disabilities, provided the first statewide training program for foster parents, developed the first subsidized adoption program, and implemented Iowa’s first child abuse registry. Her efforts resonated on a national level with the creation of uniform standards for the delivery of foster care services.

When she retired in 1981 as deputy commissioner of the Iowa Department of Human Services, she was the highest ranking African American in the Iowa State government. Ms. Williams received many accolades for her incredible service including membership in the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame and the Iowa African Americans Hall of Fame. In 2019, she was inducted into the National Association of Social Workers Foundation Pioneers Program.

I met Ms. Williams in 2018 when she received Drake’s Alumni Community Service Award, having previously received Drake’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

When it was Ms. Williams turn to accept her award and address the crowd, she rose from her seat in Sheslow Auditorium. Instead of taking the stage, she spoke from the auditorium floor. Despite not taking center-stage, the audience listened with rapt attention. With few notes, Ms. Williams passionately advocated for the value of community service and the impact we can each have on one another. The insight in her words and spirt of her delivery were electric. In these polarizing times, Ms. Williams’ message of shared humanity coupled with her exemplary life lived in service to others continues to resonate with me and all who shared in that special moment.

Following Ms. Williams’ passing, Drake learned of her continuing commitment to others and her alma mater. Ms. Williams made an estate gift to Drake of nearly $600,000. This gift will further advance her legacy while providing countless opportunities for generations of students to attend Drake. While the scale of Ms. William’s gift is significant, her legacy looms even larger, inspiring each of us to live a life of purpose and in support of our communities.

— Marty Martin, President

It’s been my practice to share some thoughts with you at the start of each term typically focused on what ITS is working on, or projects that will be visible to the campus community. I’d like to take a slightly different approach for this message and focus on the actions and strategies of others outside the University and how they affect us, rather than on the activities of ITS.

Enterprise software is changing. We’ve all heard about “the cloud” and possibly even Software as a Service (SaaS), but what do these terms mean for Drake? Even five years ago, when I arrived on campus, new enterprise software was installed on physical servers in the Drake data center in Dial. Drake ITS was responsible for the physical computers, storage, power, cooling, emergency response, software updates, security, and everything else needed to ensure that the software was available to our users.

Today, we are more likely to license enterprise software that runs “in the cloud”. For cloud-based enterprise services, we no longer purchase or manage the physical devices, facilities, utilities, emergency response, or the software itself, but instead purchase a service that can be turned on or off as needed and is managed somewhere else.

Integrated, multi-purpose systems are giving way to purpose-built SaaS applications that are designed to meet the needs of a specific function or operation on campus, but that have no relationship or integration with other enterprise systems. Today, Drake ITS manages or supports more than 30 cloud-based enterprise applications including Blackboard Learn, Slate, Zoom, StarRez, Raiser’s Edge, Starfish, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, HireTouch, Principal eBenefits, and many others. We also manage complex data exchanges with more than 50 applications to ensure that the right data is available and current wherever it is needed. This rapid and massive shift from local to cloud-based enterprise systems forces ITS to change itself rapidly and we are working hard to ensure that the University is well-prepared.

You may only notice some of these changes if you regularly use one of these cloud systems, but in some ways the rapid shift to Software as a Service is affecting us all, in particular the move to continuous delivery.

Continuous delivery simply means that vendors update their software on a regular basis in a way that is beyond the control of the end user. You may have noticed that the Microsoft Teams and Zoom clients update automatically, or prompt you to download and install the latest version of their application. Even Microsoft Office is moving to a continuous delivery model to resolve issues and make changes rather than releasing major updates every year or two. Going forward, I expect to see even more vendors moving to continuous delivery models for updates and automatically installing updates on their schedule rather than at the convenience of the end user.

So, bottom line, what does this mean for all of us? In a word – change. Our applications will continue to evolve with smaller changes happening more frequently and without warning. In many ways this trend will benefit us, but it will also require us to adapt to ongoing changes in the systems we use. Continuous change is coming to nearly every software application we rely on and the pace of that change will keep increasing.

I am focusing on continuous delivery because I believe that recognizing and understanding what is happening in enterprise information systems as a whole, and on our campus, will prepare Drake to more effectively adapt to these changes. ITS will continue to play a leadership role in navigating and charting a course through change for our faculty, students, and staff. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the ITS team and let us know how we can help.

— Chris Gill, ITS

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.

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.

The forum is open to all faculty and staff.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

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.