The 2025-26 Gossett Fellows Cohort

The University of Maryland Intercollegiate Athletic Department announced the 2027 Barry and Mary Gossett Fellows Program class. The program includes rising sophomores, juniors and senior student-athletes and will focus on developing them for their postgraduate career.

The Gossett Fellows Program focuses on developing student-athletes beyond their sports. Student-athletes will learn and utilize project management skills regardless of their career paths to ensure they can present relevant career information and practice bringing their thoughts to life. 

Twenty-seven student-athletes in the Class of 2027 make up this academic year's new Gossett Fellows cohort. 

Student-athletes Olivia Keuhl (women's lacrosse), EJ Hankerson (baseball), and Drew Bernard (women's soccer) shared some of their thoughts on the program.

What are your career aspirations and how do you envision this program supporting them?

OK: I plan to pursue a career in finance. I want to use the professional development skills that I will learn in Gossett Fellows to put myself in position to succeed at my internship and at any opportunity after!

Why did you decide to join Gossett Fellows and what encouragement would you give to your teammates to participate in Maryland Made programming?

EH: I decided to participate in the Gossett Fellows along with other Maryland Made programming because it allows me the opportunity to network with professionals in the Criminal Justice field as well as connect with like-minded students who are on the same or similar career path. The Maryland Made programming is an invaluable resource to student-athletes because we engage in a forward-thinking program that teaches us interviewing and financial literacy skills as well as helps us identify internship opportunities. We also participate in leadership training and development workshops. As an active participant in the Maryland Made programming I know that once I finish playing baseball, I have equipped myself to move forward in my professional career. I have also gained a support system at Maryland that will be with me until it is my turn to give back to future Gossett Fellows.

What skill sets are you looking to grow in throughout this program and why?

DB: A few skill sets I am looking to grow throughout Gossett Fellows is public speaking, gaining new connections, and critical thinking. I am very excited to improve my public speaking skills so that I can be engaging with my audience. Furthermore, Gossett Fellows is a stepping stone to success, and will easily form new connections for me. Lastly, I am looking forward to better my critical thinking skills as it’s for enhancing creativity and decision-making.

2025-26 GOSSETT FELLOWS

Aaron Abedin (Track & Field)
Drew Bernard (Women's Soccer)
Peyton Bernard (Women's Soccer)
Trey Brown (Men's Lacrosse)
Logan Buckmon (Gymnastics)
Rose Coats (Track & Field)
Armanie Coleman (Track & Field)
Ni-Ann Cross (Track & Field)
Reese Delp (Cross Country)
Julia Garcia (Women's Golf)
Layla Hammer (Gymnastics)
EJ Hankerson (Baseball)
Kate Hawley (Women's Soccer)
Cayden Justice (Cross Country)
Olivia Kuehl (Women's Lacrosse)
Lauren LaPointe (Women's Lacrosse)
Faith Luckey (Women's Soccer)
Mia Mitchell (Women's Soccer)
Manato Nakatani (Men's Golf)
Nathan Perry (Wrestling)
Michael Pizzuto (Wrestling)
Emil Riegger (Men's Golf)
DJ Samuels  (Football)
Joey Schneck (Wrestling)
Lucy Scothern  (Track & Field)
Maddie Vasilios (Field Hockey)
Luca Ward (Men's Lacrosse)
 

This year, the Gossett Fellows Program welcomes a new curriculum to aid and advance the fellows' career readiness and development. Moving forward, the Gossett Fellows program will be structured as such:

Year One:
Students will meet once a month for the 2025-26 academic year to delve deeper into their respective career interests. Programming sessions will follow the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies to ensure students have the proper guidelines to promote and encourage future success. 

For their first year of programming, topics include:

September - Career Mapping x Visual Arts 
October - Public Speaking
November - The Power of Habits
February - People and Culture Development 
March - Financial Literacy
April - Capstone Presentation Preparation

Year Two:
This will be the student-athlete’s capstone year, and they will be in their respective groups preparing to present their capstone project in the Fall of 2026. Students in the capstone portion of the program do not have to attend monthly sessions. However, they’re welcome to attend if they desire. Once the students present their projects in the fall, they will bring their capstone to life by implementing the topic they presented in the fall.