Latest news with #BrooklynDraisey
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Des Moines University forms faculty development academy with alumni gift
Des Moines University is creating a faculty development academy with the donation from a DMU graduate and his wife. Shown here, Des Moines University students celebrated Match Day on March 21, 2025, when they learned where they'll serve medical residencies. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is utilizing donor dollars to expand the knowledge and skills of faculty with a new development initiative. The private medical university announced Wednesday the launch of the Dr. Robert and Brenda Good Faculty Development Academy, a campus-wide initiative to 'advance excellence in teaching, educational research and leadership among its faculty members,' according to a news release. 'This is a bold, forward-looking initiative designed to support faculty throughout their professional growth,' said DMU Assistant Vice President for Academic Innovation and Enhancement Nehad El-Sawi in the release. 'From peer-led consultations to faculty workshops on cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence and enhanced preceptor development, the academy fosters a collaborative ecosystem for academic excellence.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the release, the initiative will focus on six areas relating to faculty training and development, including improving onboarding, offering continuous professional development, encouraging educational research, furthering collaboration across campus and bettering teaching skills. El-Sawi said in the release this initiative will help the college invest in the future of health care by investing in its own faculty. A gift from 1977 DMU graduate Robert Good and his wife, Brenda, is funding the program, the release stated. DMU Director of Marketing and Communications Denise Lamphier said in an email the university is not providing the gift amount at the request of the donors. The Goods said in the release DMU needs to give the students who will eventually be caring for Iowans and others the best start they can, and a way to do that is to ensure faculty have the best training and skills to pass onto their classes. 'Their generosity will ripple through future generations and help prepare the health care heroes our world so urgently needs, including rural physicians, groundbreaking researchers and compassionate therapists,' said DMU President Angela Walker Franklin in the release. 'This is more than a gift. It's a promise of hope and innovation. The entire DMU community is grateful to the Goods for believing in our mission and investing in its future.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
University of Iowa launches digital accessibility initiative for online content
The University of Iowa has launched a new initiative to improve digital accessibility across its online content. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) After forming a task force to make changes to its digital offerings, the University of Iowa has launched a new initiative to ensure its compliance with federal accessibility standards. The UI announced the 'Accessible Iowa: The Countdown to Digital Accessibility' initiative, a campus-wide drive to review all digital content and ensure the university is in line with changes to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to a news release, public entities must come under compliance with the new rule, which states websites and other digital content must have accessible options and information for people with disabilities, by April 24, 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Meeting these digital accessibility standards is not just a legal obligation, but it's the right thing to do,' said Tiffini Stevenson Earl, Office of Civil Rights Compliance senior director and ADA coordinator, in the release. 'We are committed to giving all Hawkeyes access to the content and tools they need to succeed.' The 15-member UI Accessibility Task Force, formed in December, is working to develop resources, training programs and policies to help better digital accessibility, according to the release. Some work has already begun, according to the release, with the UI already having 65% of all online courses accessible through Anthology Ally, an accessibility tool. Other goals of the initiative include finding and fixing accessibility issues in the university's 'most critical digital systems,' training all UI employees to utilize accessibility tools and practices when creating daily content and achieve at least a 94 accessibility score for all UI websites with SiteImprove, a website quality assurance program. The university currently has a score of 92. The release stated these efforts align with more than just federal law, but the UI's own 2022-2027 strategic plan, which includes removing barriers felt by students, staff and faculty with disabilities. 'This initiative is a major undertaking,' said Maggie Jesse, executive director of the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology and co-chair of the task force's teaching committee, in the release. 'With our combined efforts, we can create a more welcoming digital environment. The training and tools we're developing will help everyone at UI play a part.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A ‘time of fear' for international students amid chaotic federal actions
University of Iowa and Iowa State University students protested at the April 23, 2025 Iowa Board of Regents meeting, asking for support and protection for international students. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Kate Zanger has worked in higher education for 49 years, more than half of that time at Clarke University in Dubuque. The vice president for student life is set to retire at the end of the spring semester. In her career working at universities in Washington, D.C., and New York, Zanger said she has never seen actions taken against international students like the mass changes to Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) statuses and visa revocations that swept across the U.S. This is a 'time of fear' for international students, said Zanger, the principal designated school official at Clarke working with the Student and Exchange Visitor program. While many students' statuses have been restored at this point, officials working with impacted students say there will be social and economic consequences down the road. 'For U.S. citizens, this time is kind of frightening, because of everything that you hear that's going on with the government,' Zanger said. 'Imagine being an international student trying to figure this out.' Of the 40 Iowa public universities, community colleges and private institutions contacted by the Iowa Capital Dispatch and the 28 that responded, 13 acknowledged having some number of university students or recent graduates with changed SEVIS statuses. The only state university to provide specific numbers of international students was the University of Northern Iowa, reporting two students with terminated — and reinstated — SEVIS statuses. Representatives from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University both stated there were students at their institutions who have seen their status change, but declined to say how many students and how many have been reinstated. At least four UI students have been impacted by student status revocations, and are suing the Department of Homeland Security for the actions taken against them. According to reporting by the Iowa State Daily, at least two ISU students have seen their visas revoked. Other colleges confirming impacted international students include Coe College, Clarke University, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Mount Mercy University, Luther College, Graceland University, Des Moines Area Community College, Southeastern Community College and St. Ambrose University. All respondents saw either one or two student statuses change, and all but two students across all of the institutions have seen their statuses restored. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Some students have also seen their visas revoked with much more aggressive language than in the past, said Karen Edwards, Grinnell College dean for International Student Affairs and principal designated school official. Grinnell College refused to give specific numbers of impacted students, however, Edwards said around 20% of the student body, or around 340 students, are international, and some have seen both their SEVIS status change and their visa canceled. While Edwards said F1 student visa revocation as a result of criminal activity is nothing new, and because these visa holders have 'duration of status benefits,' they are not required to immediately leave the country if their visa is revoked, but they will have to reapply for a visa if they do travel abroad. In the past when students were notified of their visa revocation, Edwards said information would be included explaining all of this. Now, language on these notices is 'harsher,' she said, warning the holder that they are subject to detention or deportation to a country not their own. Edwards said the termination of SEVIS records is incredibly troublesome, as it is the record giving international students lawful status to study and complete other requirements and enabling information access and sharing for universities when needed. 'When a SEVIS record is terminated, for example, someone who's here can't record their address update, or can't reduce their course load in their final semester, or can't submit other applications, a transfer to a new program or graduate level,' Edwards said. 'So it really does immediately mean they can't function as a lawful F1 student here.' Even alumni who have continued to stay in the U.S. lawfully under their visa and SEVIS status have been impacted, Edwards said. Moving away from campus. Trying to find legal representation. Missing a commencement ceremony and having to figure out how to retrieve an earned degree. These are some of the hardships endured by international students with terminated SEVIS statuses and revoked visas, according to university officials. At St. Ambrose University in Davenport, two students saw a change in their SEVIS status and chose to leave the campus. Ricki Grover, international student advisor and study abroad coordinator, said in an email the university provided financial support to the students through its student emergency fund, helped them connect with legal resources and ensured they'd be able to complete their coursework over the summer. While these statuses have now been reinstated, Grover said the students have not returned to campus. Some universities have legal experts on hand to help impacted international students, Zanger said, but smaller colleges like Clarke don't. She said she reached out to larger institutions to see if an attorney would be available to represent the one Clarke student who saw their status terminated, but no one had the time. It can be difficult to find an immigration lawyer who has the expertise to work with students, she said. Students have told her they're choosing to stay in the U.S. for the summer out of fear that they won't be let back in to finish their studies, and Zanger said she's recommended all international students carry with them the correct documents when traveling. Others have said if they can't reenter the country, then they don't really want to be here anyway. 'We try to assure them that we want you here at Clarke, we want you to graduate from Clarke, you bring a lot to our campus community,' Zanger said. The one student at Graceland University in Lamoni who saw their visa revoked was supposed to walk in the university's commencement ceremony on April 27, but couldn't, despite their visa being reinstated that weekend. Graceland spokesperson Shane Adams said in an email the university will work with the student to ensure they still receive their degree. 'We were disappointed that the student was not able to walk with their classmates on Sunday,' Adams said in his email. International student enrollment in U.S. universities has been increasing over the past few years, with the 2024 Open Doors Report citing an increase of more than 25,000 students between the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years. The U.S. has traditionally been viewed as a welcoming and supportive space for students, which Edwards said has made the country a higher education destination for those wishing to study abroad. She worries about how actions taken against international students will impact what she called the country's fifth-largest export — higher education. 'I think right now, given the climate in the U.S. … if I was coming from another country, I might think twice about studying in the U.S.,' Zanger said, 'which is very sad, because our international students bring a lot to each of the campuses they are part of.' According to data from nonprofit NAFSA: Association of International Educators, in the 2023-2024 academic year alone, international students supported more than 378,000 jobs and contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy. International students in Iowa have contributed nearly $272 million to the state economy and close to 1,900 jobs. Beyond any economic impact these actions could have, Edwards said the diplomacy, goodwill and innovations that come with international students and the global perspectives and connections they bring will most likely be damaged. 'If we are less viewed as an education destination, that really places our whole way of thinking and learning at risk and it turns us into an isolationist space, as opposed to a global space with thinkers from all over the world,' Edwards said. 'That's what drew me to the field. That's what makes me passionate about what I do and I see it at work here, because students from all over the world sit in the same classroom, (and) whether they're talking about English literature or whether they're doing a science project, it just brings a new voice to the table that helps everybody.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Board of Regents considers study, policy changes reflecting legislation
The Iowa Board of Regents discussed changes to policy and progress on a study Wednesday driven by state legislation. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Legislation proposed during this year's session drove some updates on academic program study and policy changes heard Wednesday by the Iowa Board of Regents. Iowa Board of Regents Chief Academic Officer Rachel Boon provided an update to the board on efforts to review academic programs at each state university to examine their alignment with state workforce needs. Board President Sherry Bates directed staff and state universities in the board's February meeting to commence a study of all academic programs across the three institutions with the goal of compiling a report determining whether each program should be changed, eliminated or kept the same when looking at workforce alignment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House File 420, which Bates referenced in her directive, would have directed universities to complete the same study for presentation to the General Assembly. The bill passed out of the House Higher Education Committee but did not see House debate. 'We have a significant amount of information and expertise that we're already amassing and will continue to do so,' Boon said. University students speak out against anti-DEI actions at Board of Regents meeting A team formed to plan and conduct the study includes board staff and representatives from the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University, Boon said, and it has met several times already to determine how to compile data and set the parameters for what programs they should scrutinize. Beyond internal processes, Boon said the team is also working to get in touch with the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Workforce Development and community colleges to learn more about education and labor needs in the state. The team also plans to connect with the Iowa Business Council and other external partners, Boon said. Boon said she doesn't expect to have updates for the board at every one of their meetings before the full report is presented in November, but work on the study will be ongoing. 'The work is underway, and we feel good about being on target to have a really good product to bring forward to you for the November meeting, and (we're) happy to take questions at any time between now and then,' Boon said. Regent Christine Hensley said she was especially happy to hear that board staff will work with the Iowa Business Council, which opens up an opportunity for more collaboration between the council and full board. 'This is great information,' Hensley said. 'I really appreciate hearing (about) all of the activity and the collaboration you're working with everybody on, so I'm excited to see what comes back.' The board also recommended approval for changes to its policy manual, adding language complying with legislation referred back to the House Higher Education Committee after failing to be taken up in House debate. House File 270 would have state universities post online certain syllabus information. The board's Governance, Evaluation and Human Resources Committee provided initial approval to add language to its academic affairs policy requiring institutions post online syllabi information for most undergraduate courses, including course topics, materials and more. Changes were also proposed for the board's business and finance policy, adding a section stating the board will not set a rate of tuition increase that exceeds 'the average of the three most recently established' Higher Education Price Index inflation indexes, according to the policy. The price of equipment that institutions must include in their inventory would also increase from $5,000 to $10,000 in the proposal. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ISU Center for Cyclone Civics receives initial Board of Regents approval
Iowa State University plans to transform its civics education initiative into a full center with approval from the Iowa Board of Regents. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa Board of Regents gave initial approval Wednesday to Iowa State University to establish a new center for civic education, completing another directive set by the board in 2023. Pending full board approval at its April 24 meeting, ISU Provost Jason Keith said what started as the Cyclone Civics Initiative will transform into the expanded ISU Center for Cyclone Civics, which will work with internal and external partners to improve civic literacy and skills across Iowa. 'The proposed center will work to promote civic education and free speech principles across campus, and will work with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to share programming across the state as well,' Keith said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In its current form as an initiative, Keith said Cyclone Civics has already started its work on campus, assessing civic knowledge among the student body and hosting a professional development conference for ISU staff and faculty. With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence coming up in 2026, Keith said the initiative is planning a year's worth of programming, including guest lectures. The new center would have a home in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, according to the center proposal, and be staffed with a part-time director and one part-time staff member, with one of their responsibilities being the oversight of interns. ISU has allocated $250,000 to the center annually over the next five years, according to the proposal, and will seek $122,000 each year from grants, donations and other sources. 'I would highlight that having a board-approved center will be helpful in attracting external funding from foundations and individual donors to support our efforts,' Keith said. The University of Northern Iowa received approval for its own civic education center in September, following the ninth of 10 directives approved by the board in November 2023 on diversity, equity and inclusion programming. The directive stated universities must 'explore a proposal, including cost, to establish a widespread initiative that includes opportunities for education and research on free speech and civic education.' Iowa lawmakers have passed legislation to require the University of Iowa to establish its own 'center for intellectual freedom,' which would include education and programming on civic education and civil discourse. The bill awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds' signature. Keith said there have been discussions about future collaboration among the three centers as well as other centers named in the proposal, including the Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College and Ron and Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy at Drake University. Regent Christine Hensley said she'd like to see information from ISU about how people can donate to the center and if there could be incentives like naming opportunities for certain donation amounts, as it could help in fundraising efforts. 'I'm really excited about this program and appreciate all the work and effort that's gone into it,' Hensley said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
