91导航

By Kathy Strickland, June 5, 2024

 

 

The 91导航 Alumni Foundation is pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of its 鈥�10 Under 40鈥� alumni recognition program. The program celebrates the achievements of young UCM alumni across the country who are advancing their professions and serving their communities. 

 

鈥淭hese are people who have made waves in their profession at a young age,鈥� said Brea Parnell, alumni and events coordinator for the UCM Alumni Foundation. 鈥淭hey are also living the 鈥楨ducation for Service鈥� motto by engaging in their local communities.鈥�

Ingram鈥檚 launched its 鈥�40 Under 40鈥� list for Kansas City in 1998, and Forbes popularized 鈥�30 Under 30鈥� nationwide in 2011. Countless variations of such lists have been adopted by other magazines and organizations since.

 

鈥淲e are thrilled to launch our own 鈥�10 under 40鈥� and highlight the accomplishments of our young alumni,鈥� said Tiffany Cochran, 鈥�05, 鈥�23, senior director of events and alumni engagement for the UCM Alumni Foundation. 鈥淭his initiative not only celebrates individual success but influences current students and recent graduates as they pursue their career goals. When alumni combine a degree from UCM with hard work, they are able to redefine what鈥檚 possible.鈥�

The new recognition program aligns with the university鈥檚 newly launched 鈥淩edefining What鈥檚 Possible鈥� marketing campaign. Recognition criteria include being 39 years of age 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 as the next generation of UCM alumni leaders.

 

Here is the 2024 official list of 鈥�10 Under 40鈥� honorees (for individual photos, extended bios and quotes, visit ):

 

Rayna Brown, 鈥�14, 鈥�15, serves as director of environment health safety and sustainability at Catalent Pharma Solutions in Kansas City. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 in Occupational Safety and Health and her master鈥檚 in Industrial Hygiene at 91导航.

 

Ebony Davis, 鈥�18, is a social worker for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Kansas City. She developed a passion for advocacy as a Social Work student at 91导航. 

 

Matt Faupel, 鈥�13, 鈥�15, is senior property manager at Cushman & Wakefield in the St. Louis area. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Graphic Arts Technology Management and a master鈥檚 in College Student Personnel Administration at 91导航. 

 

Morgan Hobbs, 鈥�10, is a visual artist and assistant director at Gross McCleaf Gallery in Philadelphia and owner of Structure and Form Artist Services. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 in Studio Art at 91导航.

 

Matt Killen, 鈥�11, is senior director of growth and retention at Audacity Inc., a leading multiplatform audio content and entertainment company that connects with 200 million consumers. He was a General Studies student at 91导航.

 

Alex Kolster, 鈥�13, is director of choirs and secondary fine arts curriculum coordinator at Raytown High School. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Music Education with a vocal emphasis at 91导航.

 

Aly Kowal, 鈥�07, is vice president of employee engagement and development at TierPoint in St. Louis and serves on the board of directors for the Little Bit Foundation. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Broadcast Media at 91导航. 

 

Andrew Mather, 鈥�12, 鈥�15, is a freelance photographer who has worked extensively with the Kansas City Chiefs and other high-profile clients. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in Photography and a master鈥檚 in Mass Communication/Media Studies at 91导航.

 

Olivia Rivers, 鈥�08, is CEO and founder of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters Inc. in Houston, providing advocacy and education to end domestic and sexual violence. She earned a degree in Criminal Justice at 91导航.

 

Holly A. Shores, 鈥�07, 鈥�09, serves as Burns & McDonnell鈥檚 regional safety and health manager for California. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 in Aviation Technology and master鈥檚 in Occupational Safety Management at 91导航. 

 

The 10 inaugural honorees were selected by the Next Generation Council, a group of young alumni professionals who act in a volunteer advisory capacity for the UCM Alumni Foundation. The council advises on matters of concern to young alumni, provides feedback on university initiatives, helps build a network of recent graduates and recommends venues for alumni gatherings. They meet via video call once per semester over their lunch hour.

 

鈥淭he Next Generation Council is a low time commitment volunteer opportunity that is virtual,鈥� Parnell said. 鈥淭his is a way for younger alumni to stay engaged with UCM during their current phase of life.鈥�

 

New and recent graduates are encouraged to join the Next Generation Council and provide valuable insights to UCM. Participation can also be a stepping stone to a leadership position in one of more than 10 MuleNation alumni chapters across the country. Learn more at .

 

Nominations for the 鈥�10 Under 40鈥� recognition are accepted for any graduate of the 91导航 who meets the recognition criteria. Nominations remain on file for consideration for four years. To learn more or nominate a young alum, visit