Zach Davidson, ’20, is a tight end for the Buffalo Bills whose athletic journey began at UCM, where he made history as both a record-setting punter and dynamic tight end for Mules Football. He majored in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. After earning All-American and All-MIAA honors and racking up 894 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior year, Davidson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. He later joined the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded his first National Football League (NFL) reception in 2024. Through position changes, roster moves and injury setbacks, his perseverance and dedication exemplify the grit and Mules spirit he carried from Warrensburg to the national stage.

“My experiences at UCM provided a great foundation for my career now and what I plan to do in the future,” Davidson said. “The professors in the Sport Management department are incredible and left a lasting impression that I am grateful for. I am also appreciative of the football community at UCM and what that opportunity gave me.” 

Taylor Hawes-Guldenpfennig, ’18, is a high school social studies teacher and department chair for Lee’s Summit, Missouri, R-7 Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from UCM with a Social Studies major and History minor. In just five years, she has guided student interns, co-presented at conferences and written articles for National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) journals and the Oregon Journal of Social Studies. She was named Missouri Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2024 and was a nominee for NCSS Teacher of the Year. Hawes-Guldenpfennig also leads professional development on AI in education and spearheads districtwide equity and inquiry-focused initiatives for Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools. 

“During my three years at UCM, Dr. Starlynn Nance created a program of excellence grounded in high expectations, rigorous training, and unwavering support,” Hawes-Guldenpfennig said. “She held all her students to exceptional standards, fostering both accountability and growth. Through her consistent encouragement and expert mentorship, she helped me build the confidence and skills necessary to excel in the field of education. In just five short years as a teacher, her influence has contributed to my success in publishing multiple works and presenting at conferences at the local, state, and national levels. Her leadership has been foundational to my professional journey.”

Terry Keith, ’13, is the founder of DoubleTap KC, a virtual reality arcade and pub in Kansas City. He graduated from UCM with a bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise and has put his degree to good use creating a business based on immersive entertainment and community engagement. DoubleTap KC has been named a “Best of KC” gaming venue/arcade in The Pitch. Keith gives back to his alma mater by collaborating on marketing projects with classes, mentoring students and hiring UCM grads to support his growing brand. 

“My time at UCM played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of my leadership and professional success,” Keith said. “It laid the groundwork for the path I would ultimately pursue after graduation. Being actively involved in campus life — from events and student organizations to my experience with Delta Sigma Pi — provided countless opportunities for growth, learning and connection. While personal growth ultimately comes from the work you’re willing to put in, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the experiences and support I gained at UCM.”

Miranda Martino, ’16, is a school psychologist with North Kansas City Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCM, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Northern Colorado. Martino has served in leadership positions for the Missouri Association of School Psychologists and in several volunteer roles for Sigma Kappa Sorority, most recently on the sorority’s National DEIA Committee. She also volunteers as a mentor with Girls on the Run and as an organizer of Alzheimer’s awareness walks. 

“As a first-generation college student, the University of Central Missouri was truly the launching pad for my success and career,” Martino said. “For the first time in my life, I felt capable of reaching the goals I had set for myself. Throughout my time at UCM, I was fortunate enough to be a student leader with Sigma Kappa and the Student Government Association. These experiences, among others, were invaluable to my foundational leadership and interpersonal skills. I do not believe I would have been accepted into a doctoral program or had the connections I did without being at UCM.” 

Christina Parle, ’14, is the founder of CP Education and Consulting LLC. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from UCM and was honored at commencement with the George Charno Outstanding Senior Award. Parle went on to earn a Master of Science in Higher Education from Penn State University. With experience at institutions like Avila University, the University of Kansas, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity and Western Carolina University, her work focuses on unlearning, conflict resolution and language’s role in fostering inclusive communities. Parle also co-founded Social Responsibility Speaks and has served on the Association for Student Conduct Administration board of directors, including as president.

“A major source of who I am is because of the University of Central Missouri,” Parle said. “UCM raised me professionally, created spaces for me to grow personally and gave me some of the most important relationships in my life. The Criminal Justice and Political Science departments created a healthy learning environment and provided me with knowledge that I still use today. The Student Government Association, Honors College and Sigma Kappa sorority gave me space to hone my leadership skills and to build relationships. The TRIO McNair Scholars Program changed my life. As a first-generation college student, UCM gave me all the tools I needed to be successful. I am where I am today in large part because of the growth, love, mentorship and opportunities I was able to experience at Central.” 

Matthew Pedersen, ’11, is an assistant professor of Costume Design and Technology at Southern Utah University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Theatre from UCM and a master’s in Costume Design from Florida State University. His industry recognitions include the “Emerging Talent” Costume Design in Virtual Reality award at the 2024 XR Southern Summit and the 2025 Design Arts Fellowship from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. In addition to his role at Southern Utah University, Pedersen is a freelance costume designer and wardrobe stylist for companies including ESPN, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Central City Opera and Netflix. 

“My time as a young Theatre artist at UCM shaped me into the dynamic professional I am today,” Pedersen said. “At UCM, I discovered the power of my own ingenuity and my ability to work just as hard, if not harder, than everyone in the room. My professors prepared me to compete with the best candidates for my continued education and subsequent success. My one-on-one mentorship at UCM and experiential learning opportunities shaped me into an ideal selection for competitive industry apprenticeships and internships.”  

Nikhil Kumar Pulipeta, ’22, is a senior applications engineer at Skyworks Solutions Inc. He earned his master’s degree in Computer Science from UCM. In his current position, he has advanced automotive infotainment systems for brands like Ford, Toyota and Tesla, while leading innovation in chip validation and radio technologies. He has presented at major conferences, including for National Instruments in Austin and the Kansas City chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. A former Y Combinator LLC accelerator participant and keynote speaker at international AI summits, Pulipeta also mentors young professionals and serves on global technical committees. 

“My experience at UCM provided a strong technical foundation and an environment that encouraged both leadership and exploration” Pulipeta said. “The exposure to cutting-edge concepts, especially in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, inspired me to continually adapt and grow. The faculty’s support and UCM’s hands-on approach to learning played a key role in preparing me for impactful work in the semiconductor and AI-driven technology industries.”

Abhi Shimpi, ’10, serves as vice president of software engineering for Fidelity Investments. He earned his master’s degree in Information Technology from UCM and has since established himself as a technology executive leading enterprise-scale initiatives across Fortune 500 companies. He is also a recognized member of the Forbes Technology Council and serves as a board adviser contributing strategic guidance to high-growth technology organizations.

“My experience at UCM provided a strong technical foundation and a forward-thinking mindset that has helped me navigate and lead complex technology transformations,” Shimpi said. “The supportive academic environment and industry-aligned curriculum equipped me with the skills and confidence to thrive in fast-paced innovation-driven roles across diverse industries.” 

Peyton Taylor, ’20, is a trailblazer at the intersection of sports and technology, serving as a coaching analyst and the first-ever data scientist for the Phoenix Mercury, a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. While earning her master’s in Computer Science as a TRIO McNair Scholar at UCM, she played on the Jennies Basketball team and was a Global Sports Marketing Analytics graduate intern with Nike. In 2024, Taylor founded the BRKDWN with Peyton, a mentorship platform offering personalized game-film analysis. She also volunteers as a high school girls’ basketball coach. 

“My experience at UCM played a huge role in preparing me for where I am now, working in the WNBA,” Taylor said. “Being a student-athlete, a McNair Scholar and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority has shaped how I've been able to show up in each step of my journey. Through McNair, I began to see how my academic strengths could align with my passion for women’s sports. Along the way, mentors helped me lean into my character, find a sense of belonging and trust my voice in spaces where I didn’t see others who looked like me. That support meant everything, especially as I carved out a career in a space that didn’t exist for women’s basketball when I was a student. Looking back, UCM gave me more than a few degrees — it gave me direction, community and the courage to take up space, lead and advocate for others.”

Bailey Weiker, ’21, is a senior strategic human resource partner at the University of Central Missouri. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UCM, with minors in Legal Studies and Psychology, followed by an MBA in Organizational Leadership. Starting as a student employee in 2019, Weiker’s professional roles have included championing talent management initiatives and training campuswide users on HR systems. She holds an Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification and is committed to service, both in the university and the larger community.

“The University of Central Missouri has led me down paths I never knew would be possible,” Weiker said. “Because of UCM’s nurturing and caring values, I was able to not only find success in the classroom but also in the workforce. Being both a UCM employee and a UCM student allowed me to immediately apply what I learned to my work environment, allowing for continued learning through the application in a real-world environment. My coursework challenged me to think critically and solve complex real-world problems, which I apply every day to my work. My growth as a student and success as an employee were important to my professors. UCM’s realistic approach to coursework allowed for invaluable situations and opportunities throughout my time as a student. UCM continues to allow me to “redefine what is possible” within myself and within my career."