Drake University this week is hosting the Wanda Everage Academic Success Symposium, which is designed to help underprivileged students of color as they prepare for college. Most of the 35 students attending are from Des Moines Public Schools’ four high schools. The symposium will focus on skills like time management and decision-making, as well as academic and career planning. On Friday, the students will present projects they created throughout the week and hear from Wanda Everage, who the symposium is named for. She was Drake’s vice provost for student affairs and academic excellence and previously worked in several roles for Des Moines Public Schools. Drake’s School of Education and Nationwide provided funding to support the event.