HUMAN RESOURCES

As the Director of Financial Aid Operations, Brian Drabik works to provide support for students who need it. And that work turns out to be a family affair. Drabik is a second-generation financial aid professional, helping students through the college process just like his mother. “Much of my work in the financial aid office includes assisting first generation, low income students,” says Drabik. “I grew up as a low-income student myself, so providing support is very important to me.”

He is also following in the footsteps of his uncle, who worked for Northwestern for over 40 years. “Uncle Joe always told me of his experiences and spoke so highly of the University,” says Drabik. “His enthusiasm and pride really stuck with me over the years and it became my goal to someday work at Northwestern.”

In addition to his work with financial aid, Drabik enjoys collaborating across departments and was proud to help create the University’s financial wellness program, which includes a website and a number of programs and speakers throughout the academic year.

A Northwestern employee for almost 20 years, Drabik says he most values the relationships he has made at Northwestern, both personally and professionally. “My partner and I enjoy going to basketball games and we go to all the home football games (plus a few away games each season too!)” he says. “During lunchtime, my colleagues and I love walking to the Block Museum when there is a new exhibit. The Northwestern community has become a large part of my identity. I have never worked at a place with such collegial, kind and hard-working people.”