Michael Barry, Senior Product Manager, Amazon

Age: 31

KU Degree: BA, English (2007)

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: Michael is one of those humanities graduates who’s put his skills to use in the technological world. He uses his KU English degree every day at Amazon. When he proposes a new product, or updates executives on the status of an initiative, he writes a paper. So to all you English students turning in your theses thinking “wow, this is the last paper I’ll ever have to write…,” think again.

William McNulty, Cofounder and CEO, Team Rubicon Global 

Age: 38 

KU Degree: Economics, Communication Studies (2001) 

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: 

William is a Marine who served in both the infantry and intelligence. He’s a cofounder and CEO of Team Rubicon Global, an organization that enlists veterans in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. It all began with the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which inspired McNulty and co-founders to assemble a team of military veterans and deploy to Port-au-Prince to support emerging relief efforts.

Todd Bradley, Ph.D., Medical Instructor and Director of Viral Genetic Analysis at Duke Human Vaccine Institute 

Age: 32 KU Degree: Human Biology (2007) 

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: 

Sara Sneath, Environmental Reporter at the Victoria Advocate 

Age: 30 

KU Degree: B.S. in journalism and B.A. in sociology (2013) 

Why she's a Hawk to Watch: 

A typical day in the office for Sara could involve wandering through marshes, riding an oyster boat, or waiting by the phone. Such is the life of an environmental journalist. She is the environmental reporter for the Victoria Advocate of Victoria, Texas. She writes about oil, gas, water and coastal issues in the Crossroads, the name given to Victoria because of its proximity to Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. 

Michael Barnicle, Trial Attorney, Duane Morris LLP

Age: 34

KU Degree: BA, Political Science (2004)

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: Michael tested his limits and accumulated life-changing experiences as a lawyer in the U.S. Army. Now he works for an international law firm, dealing with government contracts. He’s also committed to community service, offering his services pro bono to military veterans.

What do you feel is your biggest achievement so far? 

Lauren Henion, Speech-Language Pathologist II at TIRR Memorial Hermann 

Age: 27 

KU Degree: B.A. in Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders (2011); M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology (2013) 

Kirsten Michelle Devin, 4th Year Medical Student at KU Medical Center, Fulbright Scholar 

Age: 27 KU Degree: B.A. Spanish (2011) 

Why she’s a Hawk to Watch: 

Kenton Rambsy, Assistant Professor of English and Digital Humanities, University of Texas Arlington 

Age: 27 KU Degree: MA English (2012); PhD English (2015) 

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: 

Kenton is charting new academic territory by placing rap music squarely within an academic tradition by displaying the overlaps between famed writers and rappers. 

What do you feel is your biggest achievement so far? 

Justin Mackey, Assistant Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development/University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 

Age: 34 

KU Degree: BGS Communication Studies (2004), MA Communication Studies (2008) 

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: Justin works with student athletes to help them succeed off the court. He worked with KU Athletics for nine years before joining the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he works directly with the men’s basketball team. 

John Sebelius, artist and filmmaker 

Age: 32 KU Degree: Master of Fine Arts (Painting and Drawing) (2012) 

Why he’s a Hawk to Watch: 

Johanna Maska, SVP Communications and Marketing, Karmic Labs 

Age: 34 

KU Degree: B.S., Journalism, B.A., History (2004) 

Why she’s a Hawk to Watch: 

Johanna spent eight years working for President Obama, starting at the beginning of the Iowa caucuses. In all she traveled to more than 40 states and 40 countries, aboard Air Force One and with the press corps.  Having studied history, she set the stage for history for 8 years.  Now Johanna is again engaged in changing history working in the tech sector in California. 

Devon Cantwell, Founding Computer Science and Science Teachers, Smilow Prep- RePublic Schools 

Age: 25 

KU Degree: Political Science (2012) 

Why she’s a Hawk to Watch: