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 2025. Instructions are available for your reference. If you have questions, contact Payroll at 271–3190 or Human Resources at 271–3133.
— Lisa Etnyre, Human Resources
#5 Free breakfast
#4 Open networking time to meet people who want to help you succeed
#3 Advice from alumni who’ve turned Drake experiences into careers
#2 Honest talk about AI – a keynote from Ben Weinberg (Class of 2017)
And #1… A morning that might change your future!
Event Details:
Friday, February 6
8:30 – 10:00 AM
Olmsted Student Center, Parents Hall
AI is here. Students have questions, and Drake alumni have some advice! Join Career Services, Alumni Relations, and Drake alumni from diverse academic and industry areas for a conversation about IF, WHEN, & HOW to use AI to support your career development! Sponsored by The Principality Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.
Keynote Speaker:
Ben Weinberg (Class of 2017), Director of Talent Development at F&G and former religion major at Drake University, shares that most people don’t really understand AI, but everyone is going to need the knowledge to talk about it and the skills to use it. He’s excited to share is expertise about talent development, AI, and the power of relationships. Students will walk away feeling energized, informed, and ready to leverage new networking relationships!
Registration:
Students can register in Eventbrite, and space is limited. The full agenda is below.
8:30 AM – Check-In
8:45 AM – Breakfast & Networking
9:00 AM – Keynote Address: Ben Weinberg ‘17
9:25 AM – Open Networking
**Drake faculty and staff are welcome to attend and may use the same Student Registration Eventbrite link. Faculty and staff who plan to attend are encouraged to bring at least two students with you!
The Study Abroad Fair will be held Wednesday, March 4, from 4–6:30 p.m. in Parents Hall North, Olmsted Center. The fair is an opportunity to explore study abroad programs available at Drake, meet faculty leaders, learn more about upcoming J-Term opportunities, hear about student life abroad from alums, and discover your next adventure.
— Emily Erschen, Education Abroad Coordinator
The State of Iowa is happy to announce the eligibility criteria for inaugural awards under the Health Care Professional Incentive Program (HCPIP). The application will become available on Feb. 1 and close on March 31.
The HCPIP provides awards in the form of an income bonus or a payment against a recipient’s federal student loan(s) for those who agree to work in an eligible health occupation and practice in an eligible location.
For 2025-2026 awards, the eligible occupations include:
· Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (includes all categories)
· Licensed Professional Counselor (Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, Mental Health Counselor)
· Nurse Educator
· Occupational Therapist
· Physical Therapist
· Physician Assistant (includes all categories)
· Physicians (MD and DO)
· Registered Nurse
· Social Worker (licensed social workers qualified to provide mental health counseling).
Information about the eligible practice areas (counties), award amounts, and the application process is available at educate.iowa.gov/hcpip.
Questions about HCPIP can be directed to grants@iowacollegeaid.gov.
— Kristi Fuller, Financial Aid Office
Bulldog Shop has launched an exclusive new series, called Griff of the Month. This collection celebrates Griff as more than a mascot, but as a symbol of Drake pride and Bulldog tradition.
Each month, a new specialty Griff design will be released, giving fans the chance to collect all 12. Complete the full set, and you will unlock a bonus exclusive design at the end of the year.
To kick off the series, we’re launching TWO new designs for February:
— Bulldog Shop
In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Awards were created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. Each year they are awarded to various individuals in recognition of their excellence in a respective area of achievement consistent with Drake University’s mission and core values.
Invitations for nominations for the various awards are accessible via the respective links below. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to nominate a Drake faculty member for the appropriate award(s) per the instructions included therein. Nominations are due February 6th.
Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.pdf
Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.pdf
Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award.pdf
— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost
Drake University has been working with the City of Des Moines on ways to improve pedestrian safety on Forest Avenue. Recent changes include removing parking to allow for greater visibility, improved cross-walk signage from both directions, and most recently, speed feedback signs near 30th and 24th streets. However, these are temporary measures as the city is planning significant improvements to Forest Avenue. More on the research and recommendations for this project can be found here. Work is tentatively slated to begin next year.
— Nate Reagen, Office of the President
Warm up this Valentine’s day at the Rec Center’s Hot Chocolate Bar. Stop by the Rec Center on Friday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free hot chocolate, festive toppings, and cozy vibes. Bring a friend, partner, your workout buddy, or treat yourself after a workout—because everyone deserves a little love and sweetness this Valentine’s Day!
Discover the real story behind a rising literary career with bestselling author and Drake graduate Ellen Won Steil, JO’07. Tune into this Everclass session on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. as Ellen reflects on her path from Iowa to the bookshelves, sharing the quiet persistence, reinventions, and even failures that fueled The Lives of Others, Becoming Marlow Fin, and Fortune. She will also discuss what it is like to have one of her books optioned for development as a series on Peacock and how her background in journalism and law sharpened her voice as a storyteller. Perfect for creators seeking motivation, insight, and a candid look at the publishing world.
Register: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/-Up2zZbmQQW1dFm8gg_EDA#/registration
— Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations
Philosophy. Politics. Law. Artificial intelligence in American elections is raising important questions about our society and civic life. Join three distinguished speakers at the Drake University Law School who will tackle AI’s real-life impact in past and future elections, followed by free refreshments. This event is free and open to the general public.
Speakers:
– Drake Philosophy Professor Jennifer McCrickerd, PhD
– Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas
– Nyemaster Goode, P.C. Attorney Robert L. Palmer
Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-in-elections-sease-award-speaker-panel-tickets-1981856234347.
— Anthony J. Zarzycki, Law School