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.

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!

Join us for a conversation with Carrie Muskat, JO'78, a veteran sportswriter with over three decades of experience, including 18 years as the MLB.com beat writer for the Chicago Cubs. From covering the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series victory to witnessing two no-hitters, Carrie brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand stories from the world of baseball. Her career highlights include writing for major outlets like USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, and the Associated Press, and covering iconic moments such as Michael Jordan’s switch to baseball and Sammy Sosa’s return to the Dominican Republic.

In this session, Carrie shared her personal journey, offering invaluable insights into the life of a sports journalist. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories from her time covering the Cubs 24/7, learn about reporting from the field during major events like the 2001 World Series, and gain tips for building a successful journalism career. Whether you’re an aspiring sportswriter, a fan of baseball, or someone who loves compelling storytelling, this session is a must-attend.

How often do you finish the workday wondering “Really? Is this all there is?” Too many days are spent grinding through the to-do list. And even when it all gets done, those days feel more like a slog than a win. Something is missing.

Maybe you feel change isn’t possible. Or worse yet, that it doesn’t matter much anymore. (Ouch.) But if you’re ready to finally do something different—to BE something different—the time to start making progress toward “better” is already on your calendar: it’s lunch.

In Box Lunch Lifestyle: Using Your Lunch Break to Win Back the Life You Deserve, Cheryl K. Johnson, AS’90, draws on firsthand workplace experience and the discipline from a decade of boxing training to create a totally doable strategy for change that NYT bestselling author Daniel H. Pink calls “remarkable.” In this session, learn a simple yet profound way to fuel your body and reclaim your spark. You don’t need a gym membership, a new job, or to throw out everything in your pantry to start. You just have to decide to be your own champion and build that better life one tiny-bit-rebellious lunch break at a time.

The session was moderated by Matthew Mitchell, Associate Professor of International Business and Strategy at Drake and co-author of Am I Doing this Right? Foundations for a Successful Career and a Fulfilling Life.

Join us as we will explore the complexities of covering elections, polling, and the challenges facing political reporters today. The discussion will feature panelists Linley Sanders, AS'16, JO'16, and Matt Vasilogambros, AS'11, JO'11.

Linley is a polls and surveys reporter for The Associated Press. She develops and writes about polls conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, and she works on the AP VoteCast survey of the American electorate that is designed to tell the story of the election.

Matt is the lead reporter on voting rights, ballot access, and election administration for Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit network. A finalist for the 2021 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting, he previously covered national politics for The Atlantic and National Journal.

The conversation was moderated by Amy McCoy, assistant professor of strategic political communication and public relations at Drake. Amy is a seasoned political communication expert and former Associated Press journalist. With over two decades of experience in political reporting and public affairs, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge to guide this important discussion on the role of media in shaping public discourse.

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. The conversation will be facilitated by Blake Boldon, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays.

Join us for an exclusive Everclass session featuring Brendan Daly, AS'97, a seasoned NFL coach with six Super Bowl rings and nearly two decades of experience. As a Drake University 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.

The session will be moderated by Michael Admire, the 'Voice of the Bulldogs' and Drake's Director of Broadcasting.

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.