All posts by Marina Verlengia

For Students Archive

Peer Leader Opportunities Info Sessions

Orientation Leaders

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 the information sessions being offered. Click here to sign up for a session.

  • Wednesday, February 5 at 8:00pm on Zoom
  • Thursday, February 13 at 5:00pm in Meredith Hall 102

Learn more about the position. For questions, contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

Peer Mentor/Academic Consultants (PMACs)

PMACs aim to assist new first-year students in feeling welcome, comfortable and connected at Drake. They do this by initiating communication with incoming first-year students in July, facilitating peer connections during Welcome Weekend and continuing to assist students as they navigate their first semester at Drake.

We highly encourage you to attend one of the information sessions being offered. Click here to sign up for a session.

  • Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30pm in upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 310-311
  • Monday, February 10 at 8pm on Zoom

For more information about the role and application, visit our website.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

Campus Announcements Archive

Student Services Front Desk: Services and Hours Expanded

 Welcome back, Bulldogs! We are excited to begin a new semester with expanded services and hours at the Student Services desk in Olmsted.  Hours at the SSC front desk (off the Olmsted Breezeway) are listed below, and in addition to our normal tasks, we’ll be taking over a few items that have traditionally been done in the Student Life Center, to assist as they transition to their new space in the Johansson Student Center.

Student Services Center Spring Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Contact Information:
studentservices@drake.edu
515-271-2000
www.drake.edu/studentservices

Basic Services:

  • Drake ID’s (Mobile ID) Assistance
  • Bulldog Bucks Account Assistance
  • Parking Permit Distribution
  • Parking Citation Payments
  • Student Employment Paperwork Collection
  • Student Employment Paycheck Distribution (12th of the month)
  • Key Distribution/Collection
  • Olmsted Bike Checkouts
  • GK Volleyball Court Reservations
  • Student Org P-card and Print Card Checkout
  • Olmsted Poster/Sandwich Board Approval

 — Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

Campus Announcements Archive

W-2 Forms Available on myDrake

W-2 forms are available online through myDrake’s Employee Dashboard. To access and print your W-2, look to the “Taxes” section of the Employee Dashboard. Within this section, click “W-2 Wage and Tax Statement” and select the tax year for 2024.  Instructions are available for your reference. If you have questions, contact Human Resources at 271-3133.

— Lisa Etnyre, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Get LinkedIn with Drake Alumni: A Networking Breakfast

Join Career Services and the Office of Alumni Relations for breakfast, networking, and a keynote address from Drake alumna and Senior DEI Associate at the Weitz Company, Shekinah Fountain, on using LinkedIn as a tool for professional networking and career engagement. The event will take place Friday, Feb. 28, in the Olmsted Student Center, Parents Hall South, from 8:30–10 a.m.  

Did you know?

  • With over 830 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the “cornerstone of professional networking.” 
  • “LinkedIn posts with images receive 98% more comments than those without.”  
  • “97% of HR and staffing professionals use LinkedIn in their recruiting efforts.” 
  • “LinkedIn Learning offers over 16,000 courses” to build new skills and advance careers (Product London Design, 2024).  

Event Agenda

8:30 AM – Check-In
8:45 AM – Breakfast & Networking
9:00 AM – Keynote Address
9:30 AM – Open Networking 

Our keynote address, delivered by Drake alumna and Senior DEI Associate at The Weitz Company, Shekinah Fountain, will highlight using LinkedIn for professional networking and career development.  

Students will also have opportunities for networking with alumni who graduated from different colleges, schools, and majors at Drake and are now working in all different professional areas. 

Space is limited. Registration required via EventBrite.  

Thanks to our event sponsor, The Principality Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.

Questions? Contact career.services@drake.edu.  

— Jill Batten, Office of Advising

Campus Announcements Archive

Flash Sale: Grand Blue Mile Registration Opens Feb. 11

Get ready to hit the streets of downtown Des Moines! Grand Blue Mile registration opens Feb. 11, and for two days only, you can secure your spot for just $10—the lowest price of the year. Whether you’re aiming for a PR, walking with friends, or making it a family tradition, this is your chance to be part of the Midwest’s premier mile. Don’t miss out—sign up during the flash sale, February 11–12, and save!

— Ben Huftalin, Drake Relays

Campus Announcements Archive

Sussman Lecture: Students Are Humans First with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab

The Harkin Institute is thrilled to announce this Fall’s Sussman Lecture, “Students Are Humans First” with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab. Dr. Goldrick-Rab will discuss the challenges students face in meeting their basic needs while earning a college education. She explored this topic in her award-winning book, Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream. The book documents the failures of policymakers and higher education institutions to make college affordable. Her scientific studies identifying and addressing college students’ basic needs for food, housing, childcare, transportation, and health supports sparked the internationally-known #RealCollege movement and inspired federal and state data collection and legislation, as well as countless privately-funded programs.

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m. CT

Location:

Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311)

The Harkin Institute YouTube Channel (Stream link will be sent to virtual attendees before the event)

Cost: Free

Accommodations: American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided for in-person and virtual attendees. Any additional accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.

— Kathryn Kuckelman, The Harkin Institute

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library February Featured Collection

Stop by Cowles Library and explore the February Featured Collection, a celebration of Black voices, joy, and resilience.

In honor of Black History Month, we’ve gathered a selection of fiction and nonfiction by Black authors—stories that uplift, inspire, and illuminate. From triumphant personal narratives to imaginative tales that redefine possibility, these books showcase the richness and depth of Black storytelling.

Whether you’re looking for a powerful memoir, a moving novel, or a fresh perspective, you’ll find something to captivate and inspire. Come discover your next great read!

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

For Staff Archive

Final Call for All Staff Council Nominations

Do you know a staff member who would like to make an impact to strengthen the staff experience on campus? Nominate them (or yourself!) NOW for All Staff Council. The following three-year positions are available: 

  • Chair-Elect: Sits on the Executive Board. Serves their first year as Chair-Elect, their second year as Chair, and their third and final year as Past-Chair. 
  • Governance Committee: Finalizes the structure of All Staff Council by developing rules. Conducts yearly elections and attends to any rules changes, recommendations, or policies proposed.  
  • Recognition Committee: Strives to make sure staff members are recognized and rewarded for a job well done, feel appreciated for the work they do, and are welcomed as valued members of the Bulldog community.  
  • Special Events/Community Service Committee: Develops and implements plans for special events on campus and creates awareness of community service opportunities available for staff participation. 
  • Special Interest Committee: Explores initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus. 

Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 14, by midnight.  Elections will be held in the spring. Newly elected members will begin their three-year term on June 1, 2025. Learn more about All Staff Council here. 

— Ryan Harris, On behalf of All Staff Council

Campus Announcements Archive

QPR Training: Suicide Prevention

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Get trained today. Please consider attending an upcoming QPR training. Participants will learn valuable tools to respond to and support anyone that may exhibit the warning signs of suicide.

When: Various dates here. The first training will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, from 3:30 –4:30 p.m. 
Where: Olmsted, Rooms 312–313

For questions, contact kayla.bell@drake.edu.