Celebrate our reaccreditation report!
Thanks to all of the students who helped with the preparation and publicity for, and participation in, the SJMC’s recent reaccreditation visit. The site team reviewers passed along their appreciation and thanks. And they left us with a draft report that recommended that SJMC meets compliance on all nine accreditation standards!
Some of the strengths cited in the report:
- A hardworking, productive and dedicated faculty who are passionate about teaching
- Award-winning students who are professionally oriented and partake in multiple internship opportunities
- The “Drake way” system of advising which focuses on lifelong mentorship between students/alumni and faculty
- Focus on diversity imbued throughout the curriculum
- Connectivity and partnerships with Des Moines and Iowa business and professional communities
Suggestions for improvement: Continue working on updating the Meredith Hall facilities and increasing diversity among faculty and students.
The site team’s recommendation will be reviewed by an Accrediting Committee that meets in Chicago on March 25, and that recommendation will receive a final vote by the Accrediting Council on April 29.
Join us for treats in the back lobby of Meredith today to celebrate this achievement by our faculty, staff and students!
Congratulations to award-winning ad students
Four Drake SJMC advertising students have won individual awards in the Des Moines chapter of the American Advertising Awards competition. Details of the awards will be announced at the AAF banquet on Feb. 25. The student winners are Kelsea Graham, Jeff Hersheway, Brooke Vaske and Bailey Zander.
“Designing I Do: An Evening with Michael McCormick”
Michael McCormick, Drake alumnus and design director of Martha Stewart Weddings, will deliver the E.T. Meredith Visiting Professional 2017 lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. Reception following the lecture. Please RSVP on our event page.
Extended Meredith Hall access for SJMC students
Beginning this semester, SJMC majors have extended access to Meredith Hall public spaces and labs, 7 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. If the building is locked, SJMC students can access the building during those hours by swiping their IDs; students can also remain in the building after it closes. SJMC students who need access to the building outside of 7 a.m.-2 a.m. should see administrative assistant Shari Tenney in Mer. 118 to be put on a “late pass” list that is submitted to Drake Security.
Meredith Hall open hours:
Sunday 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
IRIS coordinator sought for 2017-2018
Drake University’s Office of Community Engaged Learning is looking to hire a student for the 2017-2018 academic year to serve as the student coordinator for a daily reading program with IRIS (Iowa Radio Reading Information Service).
This Service-Learning Ambassador position is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is passionate about increasing access to information for Iowans who cannot read the printed word because of blindness, visual, or physical impairment or learning difference. Currently, Drake students volunteer to read The Daily Nonpareil, the Council Bluffs newspaper, which is broadcast as an hour in IRIS’s 24/7 programming, daily meditations, seasonal readings, and the potential for other opportunities for reading. The student would work 6-7 hours per week coordinating the schedule of student volunteers and deepening integration of the partnership between Drake University and IRIS.
If interested in applying, please send a cover letter of 500 words or less stating your interest in the position and resume to Amanda Martin at amanda.martin@drake.edu by 9 a.m., Feb. 27, 2017.
Each applicant must list on their resume one reference, either a faculty, staff, or community partner who can speak to your organization/management, teamwork and professional skills. Pay is $8.25/hr.
QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary
- Self-motivated, dedicated
- Willing to work on a flexible schedule based on volunteer and class availability
- Organizational skills in order to schedule and assign volunteers
Desired
- Journalism major
- Experience with recording a story for IRIS
- Previous service opportunities and/or community engagement work
- Current first-year, sophomore, or junior standing
- SLA will need to be available for SLA Orientation August 24-26, 2017 (Thursday-Saturday)
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
IRIS Programming
- Present to Journalism school classes and potentially other groups about IRIS
- Coordinate the schedule of student recordings
- Train student volunteers and provide technical assistance to students
- Lead reflection activities for student participants
- Serve as a liaison between Drake University and IRIS
- Design and connect Drake students to additional volunteer opportunities with IRIS
- Identify audio description projects
- Participate in fundraising and event planning for IRIS
- Track quantifiables including number of students participating, number of hours read, etc.
- Coordinate publicity measures with SLA graphic design intern
Administrative
- Work a total of 6-7 hours a week, minimum of 2 professional office hours held in the Community Engaged Learning Office (hours will be scheduled between 8am-4:30pm M-F)
- Attend bi-weekly staff meetings
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development with the Office of Community Engaged Learning
- Support other Service Learning Ambassador’s events and initiatives
- Lead service-learning trainings and reflection activities for classes and student organizations
- Represent the Community Engaged Learning Office at various recruitment events
Alumni note
Emily Abbas, JO’97, MCL’09, chief marketing and communications officer for Bankers Trust, has been promoted to senior vice president and named to the bank’s executive committee.