Kubasik First Impact Program Announces Members of Cohort Four

The Kubasik First Impact Program has released its list of student-athletes that will make up the program’s fourth cohort, continuing a group that has induced lifelong success in Terp student-athletes. 

The Kubasik First Impact Program aims to assist student-athletes in exploring their identity, strengths, and interests through hands-on learning, exposure to careers, and developing essential career readiness skills.

This year’s 2025-2026 cohort (Cohort 4) consists of the following Maryland student-athletes:

• Simisola Balogun (Women’s T&F)
• Taylor Best (Football)
• Maya Cheeseboro (Women’s soccer)
• Gemma Davitian (Women’s soccer)
• Rayna Engelmayer (Gymnastics) 
• Micheal Hershey (Football)
• Emily Lenhard (Women’s soccer)
• Ava McKennie (Women’s basketball)
• Jahmari Powell-Wonson (Football)
• Sarah Saville (Gymnastics) 
• Nate Shields (Men’s T&F) 
• Darian Tarver (Men’s T&F)
• Alexander Uryniak (Wrestling) 
• Kyndal Walker (Women’s basketball)
• Samantha Winer (Women’s soccer) 

During the first semester, the focus will be on discovery, emphasizing self-identity, personal branding, and exposure to career paths which will enable students to clarify their career aspirations or understand their options. The second semester will shift towards action. The program aims to help students to apply insights gained through industry professionals, knowledge about workplace environments, and financial planning toward identifying a career path.

Previous members of the Kubasik First Impact Program have gone on to do incredible things, both during their time in College Park and after graduation. 

Emma Pegg was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Kubasik First Impact Program (2022–2023), where she began clarifying her career goals. Pegg was initially interested in a path in physical therapy, but the Kubasik First Impact Program helped her find her true calling: paramedicine. Building on that discovery, she joined Pre-Health Terps, serving as vice president in 2023–2024 and president the following year.

She continued to put the program’s lessons into practice as a member of the 2024 Internship Academy, securing an internship with the Children Treatment Center (Chantham) in Kent, Canada, and later graduating from the Gossett Fellows Program in 2025.

Daniel Owens was a member of the 2023–2024 cohort of the Kubasik First Impact Program. By taking full advantage of the program’s career and identity development resources, he strengthened his leadership skills and became an active contributor to the Maryland student-athlete community. Daniel now serves with the nonprofit organization Uplifting Athletes, where he helps raise awareness and support for rare diseases, all while continuing to excel as a member of the Terps football team.

Nathan Perry, a Maryland wrestler, was a member of the most recent Kubasik First Impact Program cohort (2024–2025) and a member of the 2025 Internship Academy. Through the program, he secured a summer internship as a field engineer with Chesapeake Contracting, where he gained hands-on industry experience and expanded his professional skill set. Nathan shared that the tools and resources he engaged with throughout the program pushed him outside of his comfort zone, and he especially valued the connections and involvement he had within his cohort and with his mentor.

The incoming 2025–2026 cohort of the Kubasik First Impact Program may have big shoes to fill, but the Terps who came before them have set a powerful example—laying the foundation for success and already making their mark in their respective industries.