It’s the end of the month before commencement and the end of the term! Make sure you’re up to date on what’s been completed and is in the works at Drexel — like finished construction projects on the University City Campus and a list of faculty and staff who won the 2018-2019 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Awards and Provost Awards for Teaching, Scholarship, and Professional Service.

Here’s what was heard around campus this month:

Institutional Effectiveness Survey Update

Earlier this year, the Institutional Effectiveness Committee asked for faculty and staff to complete a survey on day-to-day and overarching issues at Drexel and suggestions on how to fix them. Over 1,130 ideas for ways to improve the University were ultimately gathered, according to a May 20 email sent from the committee, and 19 top areas were chosen for the committee to focus initial improvement efforts. You can be regularly updated on developments on  the Institutional Effectiveness Committee page, and you can also sign up to possibly serve on one of the action planning committees.

The May 20 email also encouraged faculty and staff to check out these below concerns that were included in the survey and can be addressed with existing or updated resources:

• University Policy Directory: This searchable directory lists and links to all active, University-wide, academic and administrative policies, including the issuing department.
• Facilities work requests: Anyone can submit a general maintenance work request (e.g. replace lightbulb, bathroom issues, heating issues) through the Real Estate and Facilities website. Select the appropriate campus button to submit the issue.
• Current construction and third-party funded projects: This page makes it easy to stay up-to-date on Drexel's current, major construction projects, including third-party funded projects such as the Arlen Spector US Squash Center and the College of Medicine location at Tower Health. Look for regular updates published in DrexelNow's Heard Around Campus feature and in Drexel Quarterly.
• DrexelOne Employee tab: The Employee tab will soon get a facelift thanks to your feedback. The revised page will feature streamlined content that is more focused on the information you seek when logging into DrexelOne.
• University-wide systems/applications list: With the multitude of systems being utilized at Drexel, it's hard to keep track of which system does what. This soon-to-be released list will provide an overview and a department contact for each system/application.

Are You Ready for the 10th Annual Employee Olympics?

Drexel’s 2019 Employee Olympic Games will be held from 2–5 p.m. on June 18.

You can sign up to play:

• Baggo (Bean Bag Toss)
• Basketball (5 on 5)
• Beach Volleyball
• Dodgeball
• Fun Walk (non-competitive)
• Squash
• Table Tennis

Registration information and details on each event are available on the Employee Olympics webpage. You can register for the Employee Olympics via the Employee Olympics webpage by June 11. Please obtain permission from your supervisor before registering to participate. 

Check Out These Recently Completed Projects

Several projects providing improved spaces for study, instruction, research, recreation and community have been completed on Drexel’s University City Campus over the past few months. Take a virtual tour of these spaces via the slideshow below, and for a complete update on major campus projects, visit drexel.edu/facilities/design/currentProjects/. Next month’s Construction Update will explore the projects that will be in progress throughout the summer.

College of Computing and Informatics at 3675 Market Street.

“Designed to create a student-centric environment that will stimulate collaboration and engagement across disciplines, our new home at 3675 Market brings all CCI faculty, students and professional staff under one roof for the first time,” said Yi Deng, CCI Dean and Isaac L. Auerbach Professor. “With its state-of-the-art classrooms and research labs, abundance of natural light and plentiful open and shared spaces and meeting rooms, this vibrant new space sets the stage for our college to fully realize our aspirations to serve as a growth engine for Drexel University, a leading provider of tech talent and next generation information and technology leaders, a preeminent home for ground-breaking multidisciplinary research, and a hub for collaboration and innovation with our partners at Drexel and across industries throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region.” Read more about the space here.

Fabric Discovery Center at 3101R Market St.

In collaboration with Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Drexel is establishing a statewide "Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center" in renovated space at 3101R Market St., in the heart of Schuylkill Yards and adjacent to recently created spaces for Drexel’s engineering programs. Construction is complete, staff have moved in, and they’re receiving and setting up equipment to get the center up and running.

Renovated Lab in Bossone Research Enterprise Center

The A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute opened a newly renovated 7,400-square-foot laboratory on the third floor of Bossone in mid-May. “The larger space opens great opportunities for collaborative efforts with researchers from other groups at Drexel and elsewhere. I look forward to new scientific breakthroughs and important discoveries coming out of this lab,” said Yury Gogotsi, the Charles T. and Ruth M. Bach Distinguished University Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and the founder and director of the nanomaterials institute. “This is certainly one of the best-equipped research labs you can find anywhere in the world, and it will attract world-class researchers to Drexel.” Read more about the space here.

Market Street Public Realm Improvements

You may have noticed that the former Firestone property has received a facelift, with inviting tables and chairs provided at the corner of Market Street and JFK Boulevard for the public to enjoy during the warmer months. The portion of Lancaster Avenue directly in front of Firestone is completely closed to vehicle traffic, and a new traffic light at 32nd Street and Lancaster Walk makes the entire area more pedestrian friendly.

Armory Exterior

Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services has completed the exterior improvements to the Armory, which included masonry restoration, window and roof replacement. US Squash is currently in the process of designing its plans to convert the interior of the Armory into the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, with a planned fall 2020 opening.

Buckley Bubble Infrastructure

It’s not apparent to the naked eye, but construction of the permanent components for a new, seasonal, air-supported structure over Buckley Recreational Field is complete. First inflation of the “bubble,” which will allow for year-round use of the field, is expected in late fall 2019. “This project will allow us to expand our recreational athletics offerings and keep pace to accommodate our students’ growing demand for activity space,” said Athletics Director Eric Zillmer.

2018-19 Drexel Research, Scholarship and Creativity Awards & Provost Awards for Teaching, Scholarship, and Professional Service

The Office of Research and the Office of Faculty Affairs recently announced the recipients of the 2018-2019 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Awards and the 2018-2019 Provost Awards for Teaching, Scholarship, and Professional Service:

Provost Award for Outstanding Scholarly Productivity 

Early Career

• Jordan Hyatt, PhD, Assistant Professor, Criminology and Justice Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jonathan Purtle, DrPH, Assistant Professor, Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health

Mid-Career

• Ekaterina Pomerantseva, PhD, Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
• Jichen Zhu, PhD, Associate Professor, Digital Media, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design | Computer Science, College of Computing and Informatics

Career

• Peter Baas, PhD, Professor, Director, Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine
• Michel Barsoum, PhD, Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering

Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence 

• Chuck Galli, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences

Allen Rothwarf Award for Teaching Excellence 

• Elea McDonnell Feit, PhD, Assistant Professor, Marketing, LeBow College of Business

Barbara Hornum Teaching Award 

• Christopher Weyant, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering

Evidence Based Teaching Award in STEM 

• Patricia M. Gallagher, PhD., P.E., Associate Professor, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering

Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching

• Jonson Miller, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor, History, College of Arts and Sciences

Harold M. Myers Award 

• Abioseh Porter, PhD, Professor, English and Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences

The Sixth Annual Drexel University Assessment and Pedagogy Award 

• P. Mohana Shankar, PhD, Allen Rothwarf Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, College of Engineering

Dr. Mark L. Greenberg Distinguished Faculty Award for Community-Based Learning

• Stacey E. Ake, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor, Director of Medical Humanities Program, English and Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences

Donna M. Murasko Distinguished Faculty Award for Innovation in Civic Engagement

• Jonathan Deutsch, PhD, Professor, Center for Food and Hospitality Management, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Collaborative Instructional Design Excellence

• Robert J. Brulle PhD, Professor, Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Susan S. Kilham, PhD, Professor, Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, College of Arts and Sciences
• Abigail Kelly, M.S., Senior Instructional Designer, Instructional Design and Multimedia Services, Drexel University Online  

Online Teaching Innovation and Excellence Award  

• Jane Greene Ryan, CNM, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Bridge Funding Support for Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty

• Dov Jaron, PhD, Professor Emeritus, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
• Hualou Liang, PhD, Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Faculty Summer Research for Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty

• Jennifer Adams, EdD, Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Management, School of Education
• Debjani Bhattacharyya, PhD, Assistant Professor, History, Global Studies and Modern Languages, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jennifer Blazina, MFA, Professor, Art and Art History, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
• Evangelia G. Chrysikou, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jane Clougherty, ScD, MSc, Associate Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health
• David Gefen, PhD, Professor, Provost Distinguished Research Professor, Decision Sciences, LeBow College of Business
• Andre Kurmann, PhD, Associate Professor, Economics, LeBow College of Business
• Jade Lo, PhD, Assistant Professor, Management, LeBow College of Business
• Harrison Quick, PhD, Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health
• David Velinsky, PhD, Department Head and Professor, Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science, College of Arts & Sciences
• Ezra Wood, PhD, Associate Professor, Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
• Erjia Yan, PhD, Assistant Professor, Information Science, College of Computing and Informatics
• Jennifer Yusin, PhD, Associate Professor, English and Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
• Asta Zelenkauskaite, PhD, Associate Professor, Communication, College of Arts and Sciences

Scholarly and Creative Activity Awards 

• Mary Ebeling, PhD, Associate Professor, Global Studies and Modern Languages, College of Arts & Sciences
• Jacqueline Kilmartin, MS, Assistant Teaching Professor, Fashion Design & Merchandising, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
• Deirdre McMahon, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor, English and Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences
• Diana Nicholas, MFA, Assistant Professor, Architecture & Interior Design, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
• Delia Solomons, PhD, Assistant Professor, Art and Art History, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
• Jennifer Yusin, PhD, Associate Professor, English and Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences
• Andrew Zitcer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Urban Strategy, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

Scholarly Materials and Research Equipment for Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty

• Evangelia G. Chrysikou, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences
• James E. Connell, Jr., PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D, Associate Professor, Clinical Director, Special Education, Applied Behavioral Analysis, School of Education, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
• Antonios Kontsos, PhD, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, College of Engineering
• Catherine Von Reyn, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight: Drexel University Online

Drexel University Online teams, including Enterprise Technology Operation (ETO), Marketing, Strategic Communications, Student Experience, and Instructional Design and Multimedia Services (IDMS), further enhance the organization’s culture of inclusiveness by ensuring that all digital content for prospective and current online students is readily accessible, regardless of ability.

• IDMS uses universal design guidelines and standards in developing online coursework.  Moreover, the entire team is trained in accessibility standards, so that when working with faculty and administrators, they can ensure full compliance with local, state and national laws, using such mandated enhancements as, for example, closed captioning for multimedia and written transcriptions of audio content.
• The Marketing and ETO teams support this effort as well, by periodically reviewing the organization’s website and conducting end-user testing for usability, readability and accessibility across multiple devices and for diverse audiences.
  
• Additionally, the Strategic Communications, Marketing and Student Experience teams regularly collaborate around audio, written and visual digital content that addresses distinctive communications preferences and behaviors among prospective and current online students. In 2018, the Strategic Communications team released a series of faculty-focused podcasts called Drexel’s 10,000 Hours, to take full advantage of the “podcast craze” that continues to gain momentum among student populations recruited for Drexel’s online graduate programs.       

This Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight was excerpted from the FY2018 Inclusive Community Review, an annual report celebrating the diversity and inclusion-related achievements of each of Drexel’s academic and administrative units. For general questions about diversity and inclusion initiatives at Drexel, please contact the Office of Equality & Diversity at oed@drexel.edu.