Announcing the 2026 Class of 10 Within 10

Central Michigan University prepares graduates to lead with purpose, from their first job after commencement to lasting careers of impact and achievement. The 10 Within 10 alumni awards program honors graduates who are making a difference within a decade of earning their degree.

This year’s class of honorees represents a wide range of fields — including public health, marketing, sales, fashion and service. Each member of the 2026 class brings excellence, innovation and heart to their work and their communities. 

The CMU Alumni Association is proud to recognize these 10 recipients as the 13th class of 10 Within 10. Honorees were selected from more than 80 nominations. 

Meet this year’s 10 Within 10 recipients

Kara Agby, Class of 2018, College of the Arts and Media

Kara Agby is the director of partnership marketing and naming rights for the Detroit Lions. Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Sports for 2025, she rose from manager to director in three years and was part of the Golden State Warriors organization during the team’s 2022 NBA Championship run. A former Leadership Safari guide at CMU, Kara credits her involvement in Residence Life, SAPA and the Homecoming Committee for redirecting her from a pre-med path — and she now returns to campus to help the next generation of students find theirs. 

Annie Anstey, Class of 2020, College of Business Administration 

From CMU to Delta Air Lines, Annie Anstey has built her career on the power of relationships. As an agency elite sales account executive in Atlanta, she manages multimillion-dollar partnerships while staying committed to service through volunteer work and mentoring future CMU Chippewas. Whether connecting with clients, colleagues or students, Annie continues to demonstrate how the CMU network can create opportunities and make an impact wherever life takes you. 

Matthew Boak, Class of 2018, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 

As a policy advisor at the Michigan Senate, Matthew Boak works at the heart of Michigan public service — shaping policy and building the cross-aisle relationships that move legislation forward. A CMU Honors Program alumnus, Centralis Gold Scholar, resident assistant and Student Budget Allocation Committee chair, Matt credits his years at Central with giving him the tools to serve. Outside the Capitol, he is vice chair of the Clinton County Democratic Party and president of the St. Johns Public Schools Board of Education. 

Nicholas Bogen, Class of 2019, 2020, College of Science and Engineering 

As GIS Coordinator for Midwest Energy & Communications, Nick Bogen applies technical expertise and innovation to shape the future of energy infrastructure in Michigan. A two-time CMU graduate who earned a 4.0 GPA in his master’s program, co-authored peer-reviewed research and holds the GISP certification, Nick was elected vice chair of the State of Michigan GIS Advisory Council — the youngest professional on the body. He is also a longtime Cass County Emergency Management volunteer and continues to invest in CMU talent, most recently by hiring a Central graduate to join his team. 

Emily Daunt, Class of 2015, College of the Arts and Media

Emily Daunt is the incoming chief operating officer at the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, shaping how one of the state's most dynamic industries tells its stories. A CMU graduate who managed the CM Life public relations team and helped grow the MRLA’s Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference into a sell-out event, Emily stays closely connected to campus by mentoring students and connecting graduates with professional opportunities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in integrative public relations and event management from CMU.  

Jasmine Hall, Class of 2016, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 

Jasmine Hall is an epidemiology coordinator focused on health disparities at the Michigan Public Health Institute, where she works in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide health equity data for communities like Flint — the city she grew up in and returned to serve. She created the state's inclusive race and ethnicity data-collection standards and gives back through the NAACP, the Flint Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and her wellness company, We Are Healthy and Well, LLC. A first-generation CMU graduate, Honors alumna, Harvard-trained researcher and 2016 GEAR UP Mentor of the Year, Jasmine credits the Pathways program, MAC Scholars and CMU's study abroad experience with shaping her trajectory. 

Samantha Jenkins, Class of 2016, College of Education and Human Services 

Samantha Jenkins is the DEI coordinator for Oakland County and founder of Empowering Communities with Sam Jenkins, where she leads trainings and programming that help organizations build cultures where people can thrive. The 2015 Zoe Harris Division II Player of the Year and CMU Club Athlete of the Year, Sam brings the same purpose and drive to her work that she brought to the ice. While with the City of Southfield, she helped develop Black History Month programming that received the 2025 MParks Innovative Programming Award. 

Dyese Matthews, Class of 2018, College of Education and Human Services 

Dyese Matthews is an assistant professor of fashion management and social justice at Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York. Founder of Noire Narratives (@noirenarratives), she earned her Ph.D. at Cornell University after laying her academic foundation at CMU, where she served as a resident assistant and community builder. A 2025 Costume Society of America Richard Martin Exhibition Award recipient, she continues to collaborate with CMU through educational and creative programming and ongoing student mentorship opportunities. 

Cristina Pizzimenti, Class of 2020, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions 

A business development executive at Gartner, a Texas-based global research and advisory firm, Cristina Pizzimenti graduated from CMU and relocated to Dallas — where she knew no one — to build a career grounded in the resilience and relationships she developed at Central. In her first year as a manager, her team closed more than $2 million in business, and she closed a record-setting deal for the region. She continues to give back by recruiting CMU graduates to Gartner and mentoring current Delta Zeta members. 

Lydia Sankey, Class of 2017, College of Business Administration