Every year, the Team IMPACT Fellowship Program brings together student-athletes from across the country who are committed to making a difference far beyond the scoreboard. Through leadership, service, and a shared belief in the power of inclusion, our Fellows help strengthen the connection between college athletics and children facing serious illness and disability.
At the 2026 Team IMPACT Fellowship Summit in Boston, we had the privilege of recognizing three campuses whose Fellows have gone above and beyond to build a culture of belonging, advocacy, and impact throughout the past year.
Please join us in congratulating our 2026 Campuses of the Year!
Division I Campus of the Year: Kent State University
Kent State University has exemplified what it means to embrace the Team IMPACT mission. Through the leadership of Fellows Davanee McNairy (women’s lacrosse), Dionna Gray (women’s basketball), and Lucy Keller (field hockey), the campus has cultivated an environment where student-athletes from across multiple teams have rallied together to create meaningful experiences for Team IMPACT children and families.
This past academic year, the Fellows at Kent State, with tremendous support from their Athletic Department, organized a highly successful Team IMPACT Field Day, lead Fellow fundraising efforts across campus, strengthened existing matches, and fostered meaningful engagement across campus, truly embodying the mission of Team IMPACT.
Whether bringing awareness to Team IMPACT on campus, supporting matched teams, or inspiring fellow student-athletes to get involved, these Fellows have demonstrated that lasting change happens when a community comes together. Their passion, collaboration, and commitment have made Kent State a shining example of what is possible through the Fellowship Program.
Division II Campus of the Year: Concordia University Irvine
Concordia Irvine has continued to build a strong culture of service and inclusion, led by Fellow Mattie Prior from the volleyball team.
Mattie’s leadership has helped strengthen Team IMPACT’s presence on campus while encouraging teammates and fellow student-athletes to embrace the life-changing relationships that define our mission. Mattie spearheaded the sunset beach 5K in line with Team IMPACT’s All In 5K, rallied other student-athletes to raise critical funds for Team IMPACT, and created new opportunities for meaningful on-campus interactions for families and teams. Through intentional leadership and a genuine commitment to creating belonging, Concordia Irvine has become a model for how one passionate leader can inspire an entire athletic department.
Division III Campus of the Year: Swarthmore College
At Swarthmore College, Fellows Liesel Blau (women’s soccer) and JoeEyiolowope (men’s soccer) have worked together to foster a campus-wide commitment to inclusion and community.
Their collaborative leadership has brought together teams across the athletic department while elevating Team IMPACT’s mission in meaningful ways. Together, Leisel and Joe demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity by coordinating Team IMPACT Awareness Games, hosting a successful Design FC community event, organizing a Team IMPACT lunch during DIII Week, and ensuring all Team IMPACT matches were celebrated throughout the school year. By building connections, encouraging participation, and championing opportunities for student-athletes to serve others, Liesel and Joe have helped create a lasting culture of impact that extends well beyond the playing field.
These awards recognize outstanding campuses and celebrate the student-athletes who choose to lead with empathy, purpose, and action.
The Team IMPACT Fellowship Program empowers student-athletes to become advocates for inclusion while developing leadership skills that will serve them long after graduation. This year’s honorees embody those values in every sense, demonstrating how athletics can be a powerful force for connection and positive change.
As we celebrate together at the 2026 Fellowship Summit in Boston, we’re inspired by what these Fellows have accomplished and even more excited for what’s ahead.
Congratulations to Kent State University, Concordia University Irvine, and Swarthmore College on being named our 2026 Campuses of the Year, and thank you to Davanee, Dionna, Lucy, Mattie, Liesel, and Joe for leading the way.