Upcoming Everclass Sessions

This series is designed to inspire Drake alumni and friends to dive into topics that will fuel curiosity, creativity, connection or career potential. All classes feature a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, or a Q&A style with a moderator. Session categories include career, education, experience, and trending topics.

Upcoming Sessions By Date

October 24, 2024
Inside the Dugout: Sports Reporting with Carrie Muskat, JO'78
Join us for a conversation with Carrie Muskat, JO’78, a veteran sportswriter with over 30 years of experience, including 18 years covering the Chicago Cubs for MLB.com. Carrie will share insights from her career, including covering the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win and iconic sports moments like Michael Jordan’s switch to baseball. She will offer behind-the-scenes stories and advice for aspiring journalists. This session is perfect for sports fans, aspiring writers, or anyone interested in compelling storytelling from the world of baseball.

November 12, 2024
Future-Proofed Marketing: You, Me, & Our Cyborg Audiences
Your brand’s audience is increasingly interconnected through technology, making them almost cyborg-like in their digital engagement. Join Drake alum Greg Swan for an insightful session on the latest trends in digital, social, A.I., and emerging technologies shaping marketing today. Discover future-proofed strategies to reach and engage these tech-fueled audiences effectively. Come ready with questions and get actionable insights for the future of marketing. Note: This session is designed for humans, but robots are welcome too!

December 12, 2024
Overcome the Holiday Hustle: Simple strategies for an organized life
As the holiday season approaches, many struggle to balance work, family, and endless tasks, often feeling overwhelmed and disorganized. While responsibility and dependability are crucial skills, few of us have formal training in mastering them, leading to reliance on complex systems that add to the stress. This session will focus on simplifying life during the holiday rush by creating easy routines and habits to stay organized and reduce stress. Learn how to align your calendar, to-do list, and priorities without worrying about missed deadlines or commitments. Join us to discover strategies for surviving the holidays with less stress and more ease! This session will be facilitated by Kristin Economos, Senior Director, Adams Leadership Institute at Drake University.

Have an idea for a session? Email us at alumni@drake.edu  

Past Everclass Sessions

October 2, 2024
Political Journalism: Reporting on Democracy
Join us for a discussion on the challenges of covering elections and political reporting with Linley Sanders, AS’16, JO’16, polls reporter for The Associated Press, and Matt Vasilogambros, AS’11, JO’11, lead reporter on voting rights for Stateline. Linley writes about polls and surveys, including the AP VoteCast survey of the American electorate, while Matt focuses on voting rights and election administration. The conversation will be moderated by Amy McCoy, assistant professor of strategic political communication at Drake, who brings over two decades of experience in political reporting and public affairs.

August 15, 2024
From Refugee to Olympian: The Inspiring Journey of Yiech Pur Biel, AS'23
Join us for a conversation with Yiech Pur Biel, AS'23, a refugee from South Sudan who found refuge in Kenya’s Kakuma camp and discovered a passion for running. He competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. A 2023 Drake graduate, Pur now serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and IOC member, advocating for displaced athletes. He aims to provide access to sport for one million young refugees this year.

June 26, 2024
Championship Insights: A Conversation with Brendan Daly, AS'97, Linebackers Coach, Kansas City Chiefs
Join us for a conversation with Brendan Daly, AS'97, a seasoned NFL coach with six Super Bowl rings and nearly two decades of experience. As a Drake alum and current linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Daly has been a key figure behind the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 2023 and 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insider knowledge from a Drake alum not only coaching but excelling at the highest levels of the sport.

April 16, 2024
Unveiling the Science: Inside Oncology Medication Development with Dr. Sanela Bilic, PH'03, GR'03
Ever wonder how oncology medications are developed?  Join us for a conversation with Dr. Sanela Bilic (PH’03, GR’03) facilitated by Dr. Renae Chesnut (PH’85, GR’85, 96, 98) to learn more about this highly complex, ever-changing, and life-saving work! With nearly 20 years of extensive experience in pharmaceutical drug development, Dr. Bilic has been at the forefront of global advancements in the oncology/immunooncology drug development field.  

April 10, 2024
Building Brands, Empowering Entrepreneurs: A Conversation with Emily Steele, BN'12 
Join us for an Everclass session with Emily Steele, BN'12, a remarkable Drake alumna and the CEO & co-founder of Hummingbirds, a dynamic marketing platform redefining the way we connect place-based brands with community-minded content creators. Emily has always looked for ways to lift-up entrepreneurs, and Hummingbirds brings that vision to scale. Now serving 15 cities across the Midwest (and counting!), Hummingbirds is on-track for exponential growth. In our conversation, Emily will delve into her innovative approach to marketing and entrepreneurship, sharing insights on how she has leveraged social media and community collaboration to empower small businesses and elevate emerging brands. 

March 26, 2024
Betting on the Game: The Rise, Risks, and Regulation of Sports Betting in America
In the past six years, over $300 billion has been wagered on sports in the United States since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision allowing states to offer sports betting. While more than 35 states have embraced this activity, concerns about problem gambling, especially among young individuals, have escalated. The aggressive marketing of sports betting has prompted calls for stricter regulation, and as the NCAA basketball season concludes, the controversy surrounding sports betting remains in the spotlight. Join Keith C. Miller, Distinguished Professor of Law at Drake University, and Jerry Anderson, Dean of the Drake Law School, for an insightful discussion on this timely topic.

January 30, 2024
Everclass - Recent Trends in Generative Artificial Intelligence
Hear from Christopher Porter, director of Drake's artificial intelligence program as he discusses the the basics of generative AI, including how we have arrived at the present moment and introducing a number of generative AI tools. The session will also consider ethical and legal challenges raised by generative AI, concluding with a framework for balancing the use of AI with the enduring need for human expertise and oversight, emphasizing the proverbial "human-in-the-loop." 

November 16, 2023
Everclass - Al McCoy, FA'54, Phoenix Suns Hall of Fame Announcer
Experience a one-of-a-kind conversation with legendary Phoenix Suns broadcaster, Al McCoy, FA’54. Recently retired after an incredible 51 seasons as "The Voice of the Suns," Al McCoy is a true NBA icon. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at his remarkable journey from the small town of Williams, Iowa to Drake and the NBA.

November 9, 2023
Everclass - An Evening with Adam Davis, JO'06: Unveiling the Creative Marvel Behind the Silver Screen
Join us for an evening with distinguished Drake University alumnus, Adam Davis, JO'06, as he takes us on a captivating journey through the world of cinema, creativity, and the magic of storytelling.

October 24, 2023
Everclass - From Campus to Cosmos: a Conversation with Sandy Marshall, AS'96
Hear from Sandy Marshall, AS'96, a distinguished Drake University alumnus, and current Public Engagement Specialist at Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory as he discusses his unique path from Drake to writing, producing and educating.

September 27, 2023
Everclass - Am I Doing This Right? Foundations for a Successful Career and a Fulfilling Life
Join us as Drake professor and best-selling author Matthew Mitchell discusses his book - Am I Doing This Right? Foundations for a Successful Career and a Fulfilling Life.

April 12, 2023
Everclass - Conversation with Sandy Bretzlauf Young, JO'02, VP, Partnership Marketing for the Denver Broncos
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from Sandy Bretzlauf Young, JO'02, regarding her career path from Drake to an executive role with the Denver Broncos in the NFL.

March 22, 2023
Everclass - Conversation with Bruce Odle, LW’94, President of Imagn, the nation’s largest sports-image wire service
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from Bruce Odle, LW’94, regarding his experience leading overall management, business development and strategic partnerships at Imagn, A USA Today Sports Media Group Company.

March 15, 2023
Everclass - Conversation with John Meise August, JO'92, Hollywood Screenwriter and Author
Hear from John Meise August, JO’92. During a Q&A facilitated by Associate Professor of Practice in Marketing, Mary Edrington, John will discuss his career path, including how curiosity has been a driving force leading him from Drake to Hollywood. John is a screenwriter whose credits include Aladdin, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie and the first two Charlie’s Angels movies. He directed the 2007 film The Nines starring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa McCarthy, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

February 23, 2023
Everclass - "Thrill(er) Ride: Lessons Learned on the Journey to Becoming a Novelist"
Award-winning author Joseph "Joe" LeValley, JO”76, will discuss his history as a journalist, covering crime, including eight murders, and the criminal justice system. He will describe how those experiences led him to write a series of mystery/thriller novels. He also will share some of the lessons he has learned about writing, publishing, and marketing, as well as some of the tips and tricks he uses to help move a story from idea to finished novel.

December 6, 2022
Everclass — Conversation with John Meehan, Sports Agent and General Counsel
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from John Meehan, JO'10, LW'13, about his experience as a Sports Agent and General Counsel at Paradigm Sports Management, LLC. John is a full-time attorney and agent representing athletes in Combat Sports, NFL, and the MLS.

November 29, 2022
Everclass — Recapping the Midterms with Drake Alumni Experts
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from esteemed political veterans Sara Fagen, BN ’97, and Shari Yost Gold, AS ’92 as they share their thoughts and reflections on the results of this wild ride in American Politics.

November 16, 2022
Everclass — Discussion with Sydney Marshman, Founder of Happy at Home
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from Sydney Marshman, OTD and graduate of the first class of Drake University occupational therapists in 2019, about her experience as Founder of Happy at Home and as a graduate of the occupational therapy doctorate program at Drake University.

April 13, 2022
Everclass — Understanding the Ongoing War in Ukraine
Join alumni and friends to hear faculty from the Department of Political Science share their perspectives on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Panelists will provide insight on the history of the conflict and region, the international security dynamics that are shaping the war, and the limitations of international law as a tool for responding to the crisis.

March 30, 2022
Everclass — History of Drake Relays
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from Blake Boldon — one month before Drake Relays 2022 — to learn more about the history of Drake Relays, highlights of previous years, and exciting aspects to look forward to in 2022.

February 23, 2022
Everclass — Discussion with Lee Ann Colacioppo
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from Lee Ann Colacioppo about her experience as Editor of The Denver Post and throughout her time in the field.

January 25, 2022
Everclass — Collaborating with People & Technology: Tips for Virtual Team Success
Join fellow alumni and friends to hear from Dr. Alanah Mitchell, Aliber Distinguished Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Information Management and Business Analytics in the College of Business and Public Administration at Drake University. Dr. Alanah Mitchell will be presenting her research related to the effectiveness of hybrid teams and virtual collaboration in the time of COVID-19 and post-pandemic.

More Past everclass sessions