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Big 12 Announces New Student-Athlete Cohort for Beyond Borders Program

Two-year leadership initiative begins this week in Washington, D.C., with Capitol Hill visits and a community impact project at a local school

IRVING, Texas - The Big 12 Conference today announced the newest student-athlete cohort of the Big 12 Beyond Borders program. The two-year opportunity - first launched in 2024 - immerses student-athletes, coaches and administrators in a variety of historical and cultural experiences in the U.S. and internationally.
 
Each Big 12 member institution selected two student-athletes to participate based on their demonstration of leadership skills and character on and off the field.
 
The program begins this week in Washington, D.C., providing participants with opportunities to engage in civic leadership, explore significant historical sites and make a meaningful impact in the local community. Participants will meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill and visit several cultural institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
 
Additionally, while in D.C., the Big 12, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, will help revitalize several spaces at a local DCPS middle school, including the creation of a community garden supported by Plots & Pans. Student athletes will also engage with students through a field day, arts and crafts activities, and an educational panel discussion.
 
Washington, D.C., serves as the first experience in the two-year journey that will expose participants to diverse cultures, communities and leadership opportunities across the United States and abroad.

“We created Big 12 Beyond Borders as a way to help develop our student-athletes into the global leaders of tomorrow,” said Jenn Hunter, JD, Big 12 Chief Impact and Student Services Officer. “The program utilizes history, culture, food, art, community engagement and advocacy as a way to understand our connectedness and place in this world. With the skillsets our group of student-athlete leaders possess, their opportunities are endless, and we are excited to witness the journey that this next cohort will experience.” 
 
The full list of student-athlete participants can be found below.
 
Arizona
Bryce Melton - Major: Business Management; Sport: Track & Field
Molly Ladwig - Major: Business Management; Sport: Women's Basketball
 
Arizona State
Champ Westbrook - Major: Psychology; Sport: Football
Leila Meraz - Major: Finance; Sport: Water Polo 
 
Baylor
Jordan Davis - Major:  Business; Sport: Football
Karynton Dawson - Major: Health/Kinesiology/Leisure Studies; Sport: Softball
 
BYU
Noah Moeaki - Major: Finance; Sport: Football
Ana Loveridge - Major: Exercise Science; Sport: Swim 
 
UCF
Rocklyn Kelley - Major: Business; Football
Taylor Kittleman - Major: Teacher Education, Physical Education; Sport: Softball        
 
Cincinnati
Joy Kimwemwe - Major: Public Relations/French; Sport: Soccer
Romaro Knight - Major: Construction Management  ; Sport: Track & Field
 
Colorado
Preston Ashley - Major: Communications; Sport: Football
Jordan Whiteaker - Major: International Affairs/Sociology; Sport: Women's Soccer

Houston
Re'Shaun Sanford II - Major: Computer Engineering; Sport: Football
Lily Barron - Major: Teaching and Learning; Sport: Volleyball
 
Iowa State
Xavier Martinez - Major: Exercise Science; Sport: Football
Kamari Brown - Major: Communication Studies; Sport: Track & Field

Kansas
Amir Herring - Major: Political Science; Sport: Football
Logan Bell - Major: Sports Management; Sport: Volleyball
 
K-State
Donte Lewis - Major: Psychology; Sport: Baseball
Reese Brownlee - Major: Business; Sport: Track & Field
 
Oklahoma State
Jeremy "JuJu" Cook - Major: Human Sciences/Forensic Science; Sport: Football
Madison Hoffman - Major: Business; Sport: Softball
 
TCU
Keylan Abrams - Major: Criminal Justice; Sport: Football
Evan Hendrix - Major: Marketing/Finance; Sport: Volleyball
 
Texas Tech
Holden Phillips - Major: Business Management; Sport: Football 
Kenna McKenzie - Major: Business Management; Sport: Volleyball 

Utah
Byrd Ficklin - Major: Strategic Communications; Sport: Football
Chelsea Amoah - Major: Sociology/Pre-Law; Sport: Track & Field

West Virginia
Isaac Scheer - Major: Entrepreneurship and Marketing; Sport: Men's Soccer 
Sabria Jones - Major: Forensic Science; Sport: Track & Field