17 Incoming Freshmen Selected for 2026-27 Northwestern President’s Leadership Class

June 10, 2026

ALVA, Okla. — The Northwestern Oklahoma State University President’s Leadership Class (PLC) will welcome 17 new members this fall.

PLC is a leadership development program led by Dr. Bo Hannaford, university president. The program seeks to develop leadership skills in students who have compiled exemplary records of academic success and participation in high school activities. Graduates of the program are expected to assume leadership roles on campus during their time at Northwestern.

Students selected for this year’s Northwestern President’s Leadership Class include:

Kylie Adair, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Alva, Oklahoma, majoring in Biology.
Kylie Adair, a biology major from Alva

Audra Coldiron, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Perry, Oklahoma, majoring in Political Science.
Audra Coldiron, a political science major from Perry

Brayden Cowan, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Fay, Oklahoma, majoring in Agriculture.
Brayden Cowan, an agriculture major from Fay

Jayli Diel, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Garber, Oklahoma, majoring in Nursing.
Jayli Diel, a nursing major from Garber

Katey Doss, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Cherokee, Oklahoma, majoring in Psychology.
Katey Doss, a psychology major from Cherokee

Addyson Dunkin, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Enid, Oklahoma, majoring in Early Childhood Education.
Addyson Dunkin, an early childhood education major from Enid

Tanith Erikson, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Alva, Oklahoma, majoring in Chemistry and Microbiology.
Tanith Erikson, a chemistry and microbiology major from Alva

Afton Froelich, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Beaver, Oklahoma, majoring in Chemistry and Microbiology.
Afton Froelich, a chemistry and microbiology major from Beaver

MaKenzi Hamil, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Taloga, Oklahoma, majoring in Agribusiness.
MaKenzi Hamil, an agribusiness major from Taloga

Jaelyn Koontz, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Thomas, Oklahoma, majoring in Nursing.
Jaelyn Koontz, a nursing major from Thomas

Matthew Manning, an undecided major from Rockwall, Texas

Tatum Ricke, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Alva, Oklahoma, majoring in Biology.
Tatum Ricke, a biology major from Alva

Jose Rodriguez, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Binger, Oklahoma, majoring in Engineering.
Jose Rodriguez, an engineering major from Binger

Tyler Skaggs, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Moore, Oklahoma, majoring in Psychology.
Tyler Skaggs, a psychology major from Moore

Colton Sudbeck, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Owasso, Oklahoma, majoring in Engineering.
Colton Sudbeck, an engineering major from Owasso

Ava Watkins, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Piedmont, Oklahoma, majoring in Nursing.
Ava Watkins, a nursing major from Piedmont

Kailah Wyatt, incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University student and member of the 2026-27 President's Leadership Class, from Edmond, Oklahoma, majoring in Biology.
Kailah Wyatt, a biology major from Edmond.

Selection to the PLC is through a competitive process including applications, letters of recommendation and an interview on the Northwestern-Alva campus.

The students will begin their year-long adventure Aug. 1-5 with a trip to Dallas, Texas. Activities during the five-day trip include visits to The National Medal of Honor Museum, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, and AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The group will also attend a baseball game at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.

“Taking part in PLC is a great opportunity for our students,” Hannaford said. “Our PLC class creates a bond and a network that will last a lifetime. During the summer and fall semesters, they learn how to become better leaders and citizens in our communities.”

The first PLC class began in the fall 2001 with assistance from the Presidential Partners. In 2007, Presidential Partners was renamed The President’s Association. Moving toward a more long-term investment, the President’s Association was changed to the Northwestern Leadership Trust in 2020, which is an endowment program to better serve the needs of the students.

Class members participate in leadership activities and assist the president and staff in hosting dignitaries on campus and in selected recruitment activities.

Visit the Northwestern President's Leadership Class webpage to learn more.

-NW-

Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480