Tag Archives: international

Featured Events Archive

Human Rights in Cultural Context

The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship invites all faculty, staff, students, and community members to attend the first event of the semester, “Human Rights in Cultural Context,” featuring Deslie Billich, a global expert on human rights, anti-corruption, human trafficking, victim protection, and gender assessments. The lecture will take place on Thursday, Jan. 28,  at 7 p.m. in Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center.

Billich’s talk will highlight how cultural norms play a role in human trafficking on an international level, both in developing networks and victims, and in hindering prosecution through corruption.

Billich is a scholar and attorney in South Australia who is widely recognized as an authority in international rule of law. She provides training to judiciary officials and attorneys, law enforcement, and victim service providers in legal aspects of human rights, trafficking in persons, and criminal justice. She has served as a consultant and presenter for national and international forums including the United Nations, Amnesty International, Red Cross, and the U.S. Department of State, and she is a member of the International Association of Prosecutors and the International Law Association.

The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship hosts a number of free and open to the public events each semester—see what’s planned for Spring 2016 here.

—Submitted by David Skidmore, Director, The Principal Financial Center for Global Citizenship

News & Achievements Archive

J-Term update

Leadership at Sea
On Friday, Jan. 8, Ambassador Mary Kramer (ret) spoke to the LEAD 100 Leadership at Sea class. Kramer is a well-known leader in Des Moines, having served as vice president of human resources for Wellmark and Younkers, as well as president of the Iowa Senate. In addition, she served as ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean during the George W. Bush administration.

During their trip to the Bahamas, the LEAD students will meet with and present gifts to Bahamian government officials and American Embassy employees. Kramer’s role as ambassador helped prepare the students for that experience by guiding them on the etiquette and protocol for those exchanges. She also spoke to the class about her book, More Than A Walk On the Beach: Confessions of an Unlikely Diplomat, which the students had all read.

—Submitted by Tom Westbrook, Professor of Leadership Studies and Director of Leadership Concentration


Families, Lifestyles, and Annuity Tables: Why Corporations are Interested in Chile
Thanks to one of the University of the Andes Journalism and Mass Communication professors, Alejandro Garcia, we spent the morning at Channel 13.  They are the largest TV station in Chile.

We had an extensive tour, witnessed the live broadcast of their morning talk show, and had many people from many departments explain the workings of the station.  Our students were very excited!

I’m sharing a few photos from the visit: Molly Longman and Katherine Rousonelos, both of SJMC, seated at the news anchor desk; all the students live and on the “big screen”; all of us on the set of The Voice – Chile.

MollyKath

studentsTV13

TheVoice

—Submitted by Dorothy Pisarski, Associate Professor of Journalism

If you want to keep up to date on other J-Term courses, check out @OnPaintedStreet on Instagram!

News & Achievements Archive

Drake news: Week of Jan. 11

Drake a best value among private universities
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has placed Drake at No. 36 on its list of the 100 best values in private universities for 2016. The ranking cites four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value. For the third consecutive year, Drake University is ranked in the top 40 nationwide and is the only Iowa university on the private universities list.


Drake Law to host the 2016 CLEO Pre-law Summer Institute
Drake University Law School has been selected to host the 2016 Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO) Pre-law Summer Institute June 5–July 2.

CLEO is committed to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities to minority, low-income, and disadvantaged groups.

The program recruits individuals who have a strong desire to join the legal profession, including students who have already been accepted into law school as well as those who may need placement assistance.

More than 300 students apply each year for 40 spots in the CLEO Pre-Law Summer Institute. The institute teaches students how to read and brief court opinions; prepare for law school exams; conquer the workload and stress in law school; establish productive study groups; and more. To learn more about the program at Drake, click here.


Drake signs MOU with University of Havana
Officials at Drake University and the University of Havana have signed a long-term agreement to enhance the academic experience and maximize the educational opportunities that arise from blossoming relations between the United States and Cuba.

The five-year, renewable Memorandum of Understanding between Iowa’s largest private university and Cuba’s largest public university builds upon 30 years research and collaboration between Drake and various groups in Cuba. The schools are now formally committed to ongoing partnership on special programs; research activities; and exchange of faculty, staff, and students. Read more in the Drake Newsroom.


Drake senior to live in retirement community
As students across the nation prepare to return to college campuses following a winter break spent with friends and family, one student in Iowa is getting ready to move in with some uncommon housemates. Drake University senior Haley Jenkins will spend the spring semester as a resident of Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale, in return for a little musical entertainment, thanks to a partnership between the Drake Department of Music and Deerfield. Learn more here.

Campus Announcements Archive

Nominate a Global Practitioner in Residence

The nomination deadline has been extended to Jan. 4, 2016, for The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship Global Practitioner in Residence. These experienced professionals will engage with the campus and community through teaching, public lectures, and joint research projects while drawing upon their professional networks to help our faculty, students, and the institution as a whole develop new and fruitful external collaborations.

Global Practitioner candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Nominations must be accompanied by appropriate supporting materials, including a nomination letter that discusses the qualification of the candidate and the expected contributions the candidate would make to the life of the University; biographical information about the candidate; a letter of interest from the candidate; and a letter of support from the dean. Nominations should be directed to the vice provost for international programs, who will review nomination packages in consultation with the Global/International Programs Academic Council. Upon the vice provost’s recommendation, the University president will send a letter of invitation to successful candidates. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship’s director, David Skidmore.

Among the criteria to be considered are:

  • A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in any field
  • A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship
  • An ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to bear in relation to engaging with Drake faculty, staff, students and members of the local community
  • A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standards

Nominations are due by Jan. 4. Additional information is available on the CGC site.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Students Archive

A message from public safety & student life

As we begin to wind down the semester, Chief Law and I ask that each of you keep the following in mind

Stay safe: Each and every one of us represents Drake University. Respect each other, respect yourself, and watch over each other during these last few weeks of the fall semester. If you plan to participate in social activities this weekend or next prior to finals, please do so in a manner that ultimately highlights the best of who you are and who we are as a University. Remember:

  • Take advantage of the Drake Safe Ride program.
  • Utilize the Drake Guardian App.
  • Be an active bystander: If you see a fellow Drake student at risk, intervene to help.
  • If you see something, say something by calling Drake Public Safety at 515-271-2222 or the Des Moines Police Department at 911.
  • If you choose to use alcohol, do so responsibly. Drake offers exciting and enriching social activities and cocurricular events throughout the semester that are alcohol-free alternatives.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings.

Enjoy the holiday break: If you will be going home for winter break, be sure to spend your time reconnecting with family and friends and recharging your batteries for what promises to be an exciting and eventful spring semester.

Get excited for J-Term: For those of you participating in J-Term travel seminars, please immerse yourself in the opportunity to further understand what it means to be a responsible global citizen. If you are taking an on-campus J-Term course, we hope you enjoy this educational experience.

Celebrate December graduates: To those whose journey here at Drake is coming to an end and who will be graduating on Dec. 19, congratulations! You are entering into an esteemed group of Drake alumni, and you will carry that honor with you throughout the rest of your life.

The Division of Student Life and the Department of Public Safety wish all of you and your families the very best as we move into 2016—good luck with your final exams!

—Jerry Parker, Acting Dean of Students, & Scott Law, Director, Public Safety

For Students Archive

Student travel scholarship available

Iowa Sister States is excited to announce the Jeff Zimpleman Iowa Sister States Scholarship. The scholarship, exclusive to Iowa students, is offered to further student interest in the world of international relations via one of Iowa’s nine Sister State relationships. The Sister States are:

  • Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (established in 1960)
  • Yucatán, Mexico (1965)
  • Hebei Province, China (1983)
  • Terengganu, Malaysia (1987)
  • Stavropol Krai, Russia (1988)
  • Taiwan (1989)
  • Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (1996)
  • Veneto Region, Italy (1997)
  • Kosovo (2013)

The scholarship is available for Iowa students enrolled in colleges and universities in the state of Iowa who are seeking a degree in international business or agriculture, international relations, language, or culture (including music, art, and film). Students participating in travel seminars, internships, conferences, or symposia reflecting these majors are also eligible to apply.

Iowa Sister States is proud to partner with the family of Jeff Zimpleman in the creation of this scholarship. Jeff’s love of exploring new places and his understanding of the importance of nurturing international relationships resonates with the very essence of Iowa Sister States’ organizational vision to “be a leader in integrating Iowans with the world community.” Iowan Jeff Zimpleman, a citizen diplomat, did just that. With this scholarship we offer you the same opportunity.

Complete details of the scholarship and the application are located on the Iowa Sister States website. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2016. Scholarship money will be disbursed in time for use during the 2016–2017 academic year.

—Submitted by Drake International

Campus Announcements Archive

Service-learning match grants

The Ronald and Jane Olson Endowment for Global Service-Learning is providing support for two $500 service-learning match grants for the 2015–2016 academic year. Applications are currently available with a due date of Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. Applicants will be notified by Dec. 22 regarding award status. Apply today!

The Olson Global Service-Learning Match Grant funds are designated to enhance global service-learning projects by providing additional funds that would otherwise not be accessible.

Requirements:

  • Funds or in-kind donations of at least $500 must have already been raised.
  • Projects must have a strong global service-learning emphasis.
  • Student applicants must have demonstrated faculty/staff support.
    Please note that we are NOT able to reimburse for individual’s mileage.

Direct additional questions to Maria Rohach, global learning program coordinator, at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Maria Rohach

For Students Archive

“How to Prepare for the Foreign Service Exam”

The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs presents “How to Prepare for the Foreign Service Exam” on Monday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 234. Drake alumna Lauren Garza, AS’05, GR’09, will present.

Lauren currently serves as a public diplomacy desk officer for West Africa in the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She joined the State Department in 2009. Prior to this, Garza served as a consular officer in Monterrey, Mexico, and Vancouver, Canada. Lauren graduated from Drake with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Politics, and French. She received her Master of Public Administration from Drake in 2009 while working as a foreign student adviser and study abroad adviser.

In addition to having lived in Mexico and Canada, Lauren studied abroad in Nantes, France, and served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Gumi, South Korea. She is married with a one-year-old and an adopted street pooch from Mexico.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Students Archive

Student events: Week of Nov. 16

Teach in China Program informational sessions
You are invited to an informational session about Drake’s Teach in China Program. Graduating seniors and alumni can hear from Drake graduates who have participated previously. All sessions are to be held on Drake’s campus, but we welcome remote participants via Skype for non-Drake applicants. Please contact Kirk Martin should you need to attend remotely at 515- 271-3035, kirk.martin@drake.edu, or WeChat: kirkdavidmartin.

Info Sessions
Wednesday, Nov. 18
3:30–4:30 p.m., Drake International offices in The Point
OR
7–8 p.m., Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Conference Room

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7–8 p.m. Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Conference Room

Thursday, Dec. 3, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Drake International

—Submitted by Kirk Martin, Director of Chinese Cultural Exchange Program

 

Orientation leaders information session
Want to help welcome new students to Drake University? Want to get involved? Want an on-campus job this summer? Consider becoming an orientation leader!

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 one of three information sessions:

  • Wednesday, Nov 18, 7 p.m.—Olmsted Center, Room 310/311
  • Friday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m.—Olmsted Center, TMR 132
  • Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, 12 p.m.—Olmsted Center, Room 310/311

You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position. Please visit www.drake.edu/orientation/orientationleaders/ to learn more about the position, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Marina Verlengia, Director, Campus Programming


Drake Recreational Services and APhA-ASP Operation Diabetes present the Diabetes Awareness Week Wellness Challenge!
Plan to exercise three of the six days from Sunday, Nov. 15–Friday, Nov. 20 AND sign up to participate in the 2K Glow Fun Run on Nov. 20—you will receive a prize! While exercising at the Bell Center or Drake Underground, sign your name at the front desk. Questions? Contact us at wellness@drake.edu.

Diabetes Awareness Week Wellness Presentation
Type 2 Diabetes is a serious health condition that has now reached near-epidemic levels. Understanding more about diabetes can help spread awareness to fight this disease. Join Drake Recreational Services on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Sussman Theater for an informational session about diabetes and what you can do to improve your lifestyle.

—Submitted by Ellen Lowe, Assistant Director of Recreational Services – Wellness