Dustin “Dusty” Allen, ’12, is a clinical assistant professor and director of programs in Human Physiology at Boston University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from UCM, a master’s in Exercise Physiology from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Ph.D. in Applied Physiology from Southern Methodist University. In 2025, he earned Career Influencer Recognition from the graduating seniors at Boston University as a faculty member who significantly influenced their career success. Allen was also a nominee for the Metcalf Award for Teaching Excellence in 2020.

“My three years at UCM shaped the trajectory of my life in ways I could not have imagined,” Allen said. “During that time, I had the privilege of playing college basketball, meeting my future wife, discovering my passion for exercise physiology and building friendships with people from all over the world. I was inspired by professors who cared deeply about their students and modeled the kind of commitment, encouragement and mentorship that I still try to carry forward today. The lessons I learned through academics, athletics and community at UCM continue to influence how I teach, mentor and lead in my role at Boston University.”

Ashtyn Davis, ’22, is residence director at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He graduated cum laude with his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from UCM, with a concentration in Pre-Athletic Training, and later earned his Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma in 2024. In his four years as a residence life professional, he has built a record of leadership and service, earning honors such as 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.

“During my four years at UCM, I had the privilege of learning from incredible supervisors, mentors and fellow student leaders who inspired me through their dedication to the student body, campus community and the city of Warrensburg,” Davis said. “I especially want to recognize Dr. Matthew Garver, Dr. Kevin Finn, Dr. Shari Bax, Beth Rutt, and Jay Hicks for the lasting impact they have had on my journey in higher education. Their leadership, commitment to student connection and dedication to excellence shaped the way I approach my work and inspired me to make a meaningful impact within the residential communities I serve.”

Capt. Davontae Hair, ’20, is the 4th Infantry Division Essential Personnel Services Officer in Charge (OIC) at Fort Carson, Colorado. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from UCM and a master’s in International Relations and Global Securities from American Public University. He has completed study-abroad programs in both Australia and Cuba, along with a Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program (CULP) in Thailand. Hair graduated from the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course in November 2020 and the Adjutant General Captain Career Course in June 2024. From November 2020 to March 2023, he served as the S1 OIC for 3-10 Infantry Battalion, followed by a position as the 3rd Chemical Brigade S1 OIC before taking on his current assignment. His awards and decorations 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 (GAFPB).

“My experience at UCM helped build the foundation for both my leadership style and professional growth,” Hair said. “The relationships I built, the opportunities to grow through campus involvement and the support from faculty helped prepare me for the challenges and responsibilities I face as an Army officer. My experiences studying abroad and at UCM broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to lead diverse teams in dynamic environments.”

Becky Johann, RN, ’09, is the director of Perioperative and Procedural Services at the University of Kansas Health System’s Olathe campus. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from UCM as well as a master’s as a Clinical Nurse Leader from Central Methodist University. Johann provides clinical oversight for a fast-paced cardiac catheterization lab encompassing electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology and vascular procedures, while also overseeing a high-volume endoscopy unit with six procedure rooms and expanding capacity planned for late 2026.

“My time at UCM was foundational to both my nursing career and my commitment to service,” Johann said. “During nursing school, I built lasting relationships with peers and mentors that continue to shape my professional journey. Serving as an alumni ambassador helped me maintain a strong connection to the UCM community and deepened my appreciation for the network of graduates who share a commitment to service and leadership. Additionally, my role as president of the Student Nursing Organization sparked my interest in leadership and reinforced the importance of advocacy, collaboration and community engagement. I am incredibly proud of my career in nursing and of the opportunity to serve others through public service.”

Brittany Lee, LPCC, ’09, is the founder and principal consultant of Transformation Strategies LLC. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication with a minor in Africana Studies from UCM and her master’s in Adult Learning and Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Lee partners with nonprofits, high-impact organizations and social change movements to advance their work through trauma-informed facilitation, strategy, leadership and team development. Most recently, she completed her Leadership Performance Coaching Certification through Brown University’s School of Professional Studies and ACT Leadership. She is also an associate certified coach through the International Coaching Federation.

“I will always be a proud alumna of UCM,” Lee said. “From academics to campus life, I was able to find spaces that poured into my whole self. Thank you for empowering my love of research and intellectual inquiry. My classes transformed how I think about communication as a powerful lever of transformation, and the Africana Studies program grounded me in my identity as a young Black woman and connected me to the African diaspora in ways that continue to help shape my values and life. And last, but certainly not least, my sisters of the Preeminent Pi Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. gave me a home to grow as a woman, leader and friend. I will always look back fondly on my time in the Burg, knowing that my experiences inside and outside of the classroom shaped my life for the better.”

April Leonard, ’10, ’13, also known as “April Dion,” is the public information officer for the Kansas City Health Department. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government with a pre-law pathway and continued her education at UCM, earning her Master of Arts in Mass Communications/Media Studies. Leonard is the founder of April Communicates, Driven To Inspire U, and The Kansas City Christian Women’s Picnic. She also hosts Christian women’s retreats to places like Hawaii. Her background includes positions as a social media manager for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and communications director for the West 18th Street Fashion Show.

“My experience at UCM helped shape my communication and ministry skills,” Leonard said. “The university gave me opportunities to strengthen my voice, think strategically and apply what I was learning in meaningful ways. UCM also reinforced the importance of service, leadership and adaptability — qualities that have guided me throughout my career in public information, entrepreneurship and community-centered work. The foundation I built at UCM continues to influence how I lead, communicate and serve others today.”

Sean Martin, ’22, is a senior XR software engineer with Sigmatech, where he designs and develops immersive learning solutions supporting military education and training. Martin earned bachelor’s degrees in both Computer Science–Software Development and Cybersecurity at UCM before continuing his education at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, where he completed a Master of Science in Game Design. 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. Through his work, he continues to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical workforce education, helping shape the next generation of immersive training solutions for national security and defense organizations.

“My path at UCM connected me to experiences that directly shaped where I am today,” Martin said. “One of the most impactful opportunities was my involvement with the Lee’s Summit Innovation Lab, where I was first introduced to XR technologies and had the chance to collaborate on projects tied directly to industry needs. Those hands-on experiences showed me how immersive technology could extend far beyond entertainment and become a powerful tool for learning, training and problem-solving. UCM was more than a place where I earned my degrees; it was the environment that opened the door to the career I have today.”

Tyler Mullen, ’12, is senior director of Systems Operations at Concord Theatricals in New York City. While earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts 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.

“Theatre is collaborative by its very nature; you establish relationships in a rehearsal room or around tables at production meetings,” Mullen said. “Even the bond between performers, technicians, crew and the audience is its own synergistic endeavor. My experience at UCM laid a great foundation and was a training ground for me to hone a skill set that I have used both on theatrical productions and in corporate settings. Starting as a freshman, I was given leadership opportunities that taught me how to own and manage various projects, as well as how to bring a director or a designer's creative vision from inception to fruition. Those responsibilities would only grow over the course of my collegiate tenure, putting me and my work in front of those who would eventually provide me with job opportunities.”

Michelle Robertson, ’16, ’18, is a senior training analyst at the University of Southern California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching and continued her education at UCM, earning her Master of Science 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 being hired at the University of Southern California. She currently serves USC as a senior training analyst.

“The moment I started as an undergrad at UCM, I was more than just another student,” Robertson said. “There were countless folks who served as mentors to help guide me through my educational journey as a first-generation college student. From academic rigor to program curriculum, and everything in between, I came out of undergraduate and graduate studies prepared with not only the field skills but the soft skills necessary to navigate the professional and adult world. UCM checked every box for me as a student, and now as an alum, it’s provided me the opportunity to give back and stay connected to the next generation of UCM alumni. I’m a proud Mule, through and through.”

Katie Sowers, ’13, is a pioneering coach, educator and advocate whose graduate studies at the University of Central Missouri helped prepare her for a groundbreaking career in athletics. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching from Goshen College in Indiana, Sowers pursued a Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Pedagogy from UCM. The summer after graduating from UCM in 2013, she was selected to play on the U.S. Women’s National Team, which won the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s World Championship in Finland.

The knowledge and experience she gained at UCM provided a strong foundation for success at the highest level of sports, including her historic tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, becoming the first female coach on an NFL staff to coach in a Super Bowl in 2020. Before joining the 49ers, Sowers was a coaching intern for the Atlanta Falcons. In the summer of 2021, she served alongside Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid in Kansas City, where she herself played in the Women’s Football Alliance for the KC Titans.

Since 2021, Sowers has been making an impact in collegiate athletics. She served five years as director of strategic initiatives at Ottawa University in Kansas while assisting her twin sister, former OU Head Coach Liz Sowers, in leading the Women’s Flag Football team to four national championships. Liz and Katie now serve as head and associate head coach for the University of Nebraska’s Women’s Flag Football team.