Terps Take the Lead: Building Futures Through the Kubasik First Impact Program

Maryland Made continues to lead the way in shaping the personal and professional development of student-athletes beyond the final whistle. 

One of its flagship initiatives, the Kubasik First Impact Program, has become a transformative experience for Terps looking to prepare intentionally for life beyond their sport. Designed to help student-athletes further explore their identities, uncover their strengths and deliberately build toward professional success, the program serves as both a personal development roadmap and a launching pad into the future.

For DJ Samuels, a linebacker for the Maryland football team and a member of the 2024-25 cohort, the program was a pivotal experience. 

“The Kubasik Program was a great experience for me,” he said. “It helped me step out of my comfort zone with my public speaking and networking abilities, as well as connecting me with other student-athletes that I probably would not have met without this program.”

The Kubasik First Impact Program, named in honor of longtime supporters Jane and Chris Kubasik, spanned the academic year and was divided into two strategic phases. The fall semester centered on discovery, guiding cohort members through deep self-reflection. 

During this juncture, student-athletes learned to articulate their values, examine their brands and explore a variety of career paths. It was a period of internal work that helped them clarify who they are, what they stand for and what kind of future they aspire to pursue.

In the spring semester, the focus transitioned to action. Student-athletes began applying their insights by engaging with industry professionals, participating in mock networking sessions and building confidence in areas such as public speaking and financial literacy.

The Maryland Made Mentorship Program then paired each student with a professional mentor — often a Maryland alum — who provided guidance, shared industry-specific advice and helped students gain a realistic and concrete understanding of their field of interest.

Leading the program was Sydney Anderson, Associate Director of Student-Athlete Development, who has overseen the transformation of the cohort throughout the year. 

“Watching our student-athletes grow through the Kubasik First Impact Program has been incredibly rewarding,” Anderson said. “From discovering their identities to exploring and actively pursuing career paths, their development has been nothing short of inspiring. I’m so proud of the curiosity, vulnerability and drive they’ve shown throughout this journey. Most of all, I’m thankful to them for trusting me to lead and walk alongside them. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly.”

Throughout the academic year, the cohort participated in monthly sessions covering critical life and career development topics. These included identity-building, branding and storytelling, navigating employment-oriented platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake, financial planning and post-graduation opportunities. 

The curriculum was intentionally broad yet personalized, ensuring that each student was well-supported in crafting a vision for the future that aligns with their unique strengths and goals. The program culminated with a final presentation, where each student-athlete selected one of three formats to share their journey. 

The reflection option allowed student-athletes to highlight the most impactful element of the program. The compare and contrast format invited students to examine the path of a role model in their desired field and outline what they would emulate or do differently based on their identity and values. Lastly, the looking ahead presentation gave student-athletes the chance to map out a five-year vision that reflects their core beliefs, growth areas and next steps.

That spirit of community and personal challenge that Samuels experienced was echoed by incoming program participant Darian Tarver of Maryland Men’s Track & Field, who attended the final presentations. 

“Everyone’s presentation was well thought out and organized,” he said. “It gave me something to look forward to for next year. I’m excited to learn more about myself and see the areas that I can grow and develop in through this program.”

The 2024-25 cohort included student-athletes from a wide range of sports: Alyssa Klebasko, Maddie Vasilios and Maya Everett (Field Hockey); Chris Wells, DJ Samuels and Ricardo Cooper (Football); Gianna Ruffing, Bella Ferraccio, Layla Hammer and Logan Buckmon (Gymnastics); EJ Hankerson (Baseball); Julia Garcia (Women’s Golf); Morgan Graham (Women’s Track & Field); and Nathan Perry (Wrestling).

As the program wraps up for the year and prepares to welcome the next cohort, the lasting influence of the Kubasik First Impact Program remains clear. By equipping student-athletes with tools for introspection, professional growth and purposeful decision-making, the program is not just preparing Terps for careers — it’s empowering them to lead meaningful, authentic lives beyond the game.