University of Colorado Athletics
CU Student-Athletes Experience the Nation's Capital Through Big 12 Beyond Borders
August 03, 2026 | Scripps Leadership & Career Development
Over the weekend of July 11th, two CU student-athletes and two CU athletic department staff members flew to Washington, D.C. for Big 12 Beyond Borders, a two-year program built to immerse student-athletes, administrators, and coaches in historical, cultural, and educational experiences in the United States and internationally. The purpose of the program is to help participants develop global perspectives, cross-cultural understanding, leadership skills, and stronger awareness of how history, advocacy, and sport intersect. Freshman football player Preston Ashley and junior soccer player Jordan Whiteaker represented the school as student-athletes, while Assistant Director of the Scripps Leadership & Career Development program Katherine Kubancik and Assistant Director of Academics, Haley Major, joined as staff representatives.
The trip included visits to the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Aspen Institute's Center for Native American Youth, and the National Museum of the American Indian, as well as community service at a local junior high school. Student-athletes also met with the offices of United States Senators, where they discussed the Protect College Sports Act, among other issues facing collegiate athletes.
Each of these experiences served to educate participants about the history of the United States and their role in world events, while providing time to reflect on these lessons to impact the future. Preston Ashley credits the museum visits with teaching him about his heritage and culture. Following the visits, Ashley recounted that they "really inspired me to be more in touch with history, so it doesn't repeat again."
Jordan Whiteaker found that the opportunity to connect with different student-athletes and staff was one of the highlights. She said, "Meeting people from diverse backgrounds helped me see the importance of understanding perspectives beyond my own." She also said, "It taught me that every conversation is an opportunity to learn."
Katherine Kubancik was incredibly grateful to the Big 12 Conference for creating opportunities like Beyond Borders and investing in both staff and student-athletes. "As educators, it's our responsibility to create spaces where people can learn, ask questions, and engage with genuine curiosity. History reminds us that many of the challenges we face aren't new, and its value is in helping us better understand the present and how we move forward together."
Haley Major attended the program as a staff member as well, and stated, "My greatest takeaway from this experience was watching our student-athletes embrace the opportunity to listen, learn, and understand perspectives beyond their own. Seeing them engage in meaningful conversations, reflect on what they were learning, and think about how they can use their voices to create positive change was truly inspiring." The impact of this program is not lost on Major, as she also stated that, "This journey was a powerful reminder of why I'm passionate about this work and the importance of creating opportunities that allow student-athletes to grow not only as athletes, but as leaders and individuals."
A theme from the experience for both staff and student-athletes alike is the importance of education, understanding history, and access to historical resources. Convening student-athletes from across the Big 12 in Washington, D.C., resulted in an unforgettable learning experience. For participants, the hope is that what they experienced in Washington, D.C., doesn't stay in Washington. They now take on the responsibility of bringing these conversations back to our campuses, continuing to learn from one another, and using those experiences to lead with greater understanding, compassion, and purpose.
The trip included visits to the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Aspen Institute's Center for Native American Youth, and the National Museum of the American Indian, as well as community service at a local junior high school. Student-athletes also met with the offices of United States Senators, where they discussed the Protect College Sports Act, among other issues facing collegiate athletes.
Each of these experiences served to educate participants about the history of the United States and their role in world events, while providing time to reflect on these lessons to impact the future. Preston Ashley credits the museum visits with teaching him about his heritage and culture. Following the visits, Ashley recounted that they "really inspired me to be more in touch with history, so it doesn't repeat again."
Jordan Whiteaker found that the opportunity to connect with different student-athletes and staff was one of the highlights. She said, "Meeting people from diverse backgrounds helped me see the importance of understanding perspectives beyond my own." She also said, "It taught me that every conversation is an opportunity to learn."
Katherine Kubancik was incredibly grateful to the Big 12 Conference for creating opportunities like Beyond Borders and investing in both staff and student-athletes. "As educators, it's our responsibility to create spaces where people can learn, ask questions, and engage with genuine curiosity. History reminds us that many of the challenges we face aren't new, and its value is in helping us better understand the present and how we move forward together."
Haley Major attended the program as a staff member as well, and stated, "My greatest takeaway from this experience was watching our student-athletes embrace the opportunity to listen, learn, and understand perspectives beyond their own. Seeing them engage in meaningful conversations, reflect on what they were learning, and think about how they can use their voices to create positive change was truly inspiring." The impact of this program is not lost on Major, as she also stated that, "This journey was a powerful reminder of why I'm passionate about this work and the importance of creating opportunities that allow student-athletes to grow not only as athletes, but as leaders and individuals."
A theme from the experience for both staff and student-athletes alike is the importance of education, understanding history, and access to historical resources. Convening student-athletes from across the Big 12 in Washington, D.C., resulted in an unforgettable learning experience. For participants, the hope is that what they experienced in Washington, D.C., doesn't stay in Washington. They now take on the responsibility of bringing these conversations back to our campuses, continuing to learn from one another, and using those experiences to lead with greater understanding, compassion, and purpose.
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