By Nicole Lyons, July 6, 2026

The 欧美视频 (UCM) Alumni Foundation鈥檚 Next Generation Council has announced the 2026 class of its 鈥10 Under 40鈥 alumni recognition program.
Now in its third year, 鈥10 Under 40鈥 celebrates the achievements of UCM鈥檚 most recent
graduates, representing just a fraction of the success stories from young alumni.
鈥淭he 鈥10 Under 40鈥 program is designed to recognize some of our outstanding young alumni whose professional achievements, leadership and service reflect the excellence of a UCM education,鈥 said Erick Vargas, alumni and events coordinator. 鈥淏y recognizing graduates who are redefining what鈥檚 possible in their professions and communities, the program aims to inspire the next generation of Mules and Jennies.鈥
Recognition criteria include being 39 years old or younger and making a significant impact within their company, industry or field of study. Civic, community and/or cultural achievements are also key influencers in the selection process. These young alumni are innovating in their fields, inspiring their communities and leading by example.
Below is the 2026 official list of 鈥10 Under 40鈥 honorees. To read extended bios for each alum, visit .
Dustin 鈥淒usty鈥 Allen, Ph.D., 鈥12, is a clinical assistant professor and director of programs in Human Physiology
at Boston University. A player, Allen earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Exercise Science from UCM, followed by a master鈥檚 from the University of Texas at Arlington and a
doctorate from Southern Methodist University. In 2025, he received Career Influencer
Recognition from Boston University鈥檚 graduating seniors as a faculty member who significantly
influenced their career success. Allen was also a nominee for the Metcalf Award for
Teaching Excellence in 2020.
Ashtyn Davis, 鈥22, is a residence director at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He graduated
cum laude from UCM with a bachelor鈥檚 in Kinesiology with a concentration in pre-athletic training, and later earned a master鈥檚 from the
University of Oklahoma. In his four years as a residence life professional, he has
built a record of leadership and service, earning the Outstanding New Professional
Award from the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International
and the NASPA NOW Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Capt. Davontae Hair, 鈥20, is the 4th Infantry Division public affairs officer at Fort Carson, Colorado. He
earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Public Relations from UCM and a master鈥檚 from American Public University. Previously, he served as
the S1 Officer in Charge for the 3-10 Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Chemical Brigade.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement
Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Norwegian Foot March Badge and German
Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
Becky Johann, RN, 鈥09, is the director of Perioperative and Procedural Services at the University of Kansas
Health System鈥檚 Olathe campus. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Nursing from UCM and a master鈥檚 from Central Methodist University. Johann provides clinical
oversight for a fast-paced cardiac catheterization lab encompassing electrophysiology,
interventional cardiology, interventional radiology and vascular procedures. She also
oversees a high-volume endoscopy unit that plans to expand capacity later this year.
Since 2024, she has served as a school board member for the Olathe Public School District.
Brittany Lee, 鈥09, is the founder and principal consultant of Transformation Strategies LLC. A McNair Scholar, she earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Corporate Communication with a minor in Africana Studies from UCM and a master鈥檚 from the University of Oklahoma. She also has multiple coaching
certifications. Lee partners with nonprofits, high-impact organizations and social
change movements to advance their work through trauma-informed facilitation, strategy,
and leadership and team development.
April Leonard, 鈥10, 鈥13, is the public information officer for the Kansas City Health Department. A McNair Scholar, she earned two UCM degrees: a bachelor鈥檚 in Political Science and Government and a master鈥檚 in Mass Communications/Media Studies. Leonard is also the founder of April Communicates, Driven To Inspire U, and the
Kansas City Christian Women鈥檚 Picnic. Her career has included working as a celebrity
publicist, a social media manager for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and communications
director for the West 18th Street Fashion Show.
Sean Martin, 鈥22, is a senior XR software engineer at Sigmatech, where he designs and develops immersive
learning solutions supporting military education and training. Martin earned bachelor鈥檚
degrees in Computer Science-Software Development and Cybersecurity at UCM before earning a master鈥檚 at Full Sail University. His portfolio includes
XR-enabled orbital mechanics instruction, space-focused operational training scenarios,
immersive simulations, and evaluations of emerging technologies designed to advance
the future of digital learning.
Tyler Mullen, 鈥12, is senior director of Systems Operations at Concord Theatricals in New York City. While earning a bachelor鈥檚 in Theatre Design/Technology from UCM, he apprenticed at the Santa Fe Opera. Upon graduation, he landed a stage management internship at The Juilliard School in New York. Mullen worked for nearly seven years at Samuel French Inc. until the company merged with three other theatrical licensing companies to form Concord Theatricals. He worked his way up in Systems Operations to become senior director.
Michelle Robertson, 鈥16, 鈥18, is a senior training analyst at the University of Southern California. A first-generation
college student, Robertson earned two UCM degrees: a bachelor鈥檚 in Elementary Education and Teaching and a master鈥檚 in Educational/Instructional Technology. Robertson worked as a training specialist at Washington University and an instructional
design consultant at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis before
joining the University of Southern California.
Katie Sowers, 鈥13, is the associate head coach of Women鈥檚 Flag Football at the University of Nebraska.
After earning her master鈥檚 degree in Kinesiology from UCM, she won the International Federation of American Football Women鈥檚 World
Championship with the U.S. Women鈥檚 National Team. Sowers built a groundbreaking career
in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, becoming
the first woman to coach in a Super Bowl in 2020. Before her current role, she helped
Ottawa University secure four national championships alongside her twin sister.
The 10 honorees were selected by the Next Generation Council, a group of young alumni
professionals who act in a volunteer advisory capacity for the . The council advises on matters of concern to young alumni, provides feedback on
university initiatives, builds a network of recent graduates and helps plan alumni
gatherings across the country. They meet via video call once per semester 鈥 typically
as a virtual brown-bag lunch meeting. The next virtual call is at 12 p.m. CDT July
8. Register at .
New and recent graduates are encouraged to join the Next Generation Council. Learn more at .
Nominations for 鈥10 Under 40鈥 are accepted for any UCM graduate who meets the recognition criteria. Nominations remain on file for consideration for four years. To learn more or nominate a young alum, visit .

