Commencement Weekend in New Orleans

Marc J. Spears
Senior Writer, ESPN’s Andscape | Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee

Marc J. Spears is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Curt Gowdy Media Award. As a senior writer for ESPN’s Andscape, Marc is widely regarded as one of the most influential storytellers in sports, celebrated for elevating narratives at the vital intersection of basketball, culture, race, and humanity.

With over 27 seasons of NBA coverage, Marc’s award-winning journalism has shaped the conversation at Yahoo! Sports, The Boston Globe, and The Denver Post. Beyond the page, he is a fixture on ESPN’s NBA Today and SportsCenter, a co-host of Hulu’s The Conversation Project, and a featured voice in Netflix’s Starting 5.

A true polymath, Marc also serves as a Wine Ambassador for Kendall-Jackson and has co-produced the award-winning documentary Katrina Cop in the Superdome. He holds a Master’s in Sports Business Management from LSU and an Honorary Doctorate from Langston University, reflecting a career built on depth, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Hannah Buchanan

Hannah Buchanan is a wife, mother, grandmother, born and bred Texan, and most recently a Western Governors University graduate. 

After a challenging upbringing and early struggles through life, finishing college wasn’t an option for Hannah. In 2021, following what she jokingly referred to as an “18-year spring break,” Hannah decided to give college another try and enrolled at Western Governors University. There, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management in October 2025 and acted as a student speaker for her fellow Night Owls at the March 2026 commencement ceremony.  

Hannah currently serves as an Inflight Learning Instructor for Southwest Airlines, where she helps aspiring flight attendants navigate training and launch successful careers. She splits her time between the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the Texas Panhandle.

 Hannah credits her life, family, and career achievements to Jesus Christ, believing that through His redemption, anything is possible. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters at Disney World, reading, sewing, and shopping.    

Jacobi Mitchell

Jacobi Mitchell originally hails from the Bahamas, and most recently Florida bringing a uniquely disciplined and resilient background to his academic and professional journey. 

A former elite athlete in track and field who competed at world-class and Olympic-caliber levels, Jacobi learned early on the principles and importance of preparation, perseverance, and performing under pressure that later guided his transition into a career in technology and cybersecurity. He is earning his Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University to formally align his lifelong passion for technology with his leadership experience, and to deepen his ability to protect organizations in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

While pursuing his degree, Jacobi balanced demanding professional responsibilities, leadership growth, and family life, navigating personal loss and major life transitions that further strengthened his resolve. The flexibility and competency-based model that WGU offers  allowed him to continue advancing academically while working full-time in the cybersecurity field. 

Jacobi currently serves as an Information Security Engineering Manager in the healthcare sector; where he leads teams responsible for identity, endpoint, email, and cloud security and helps shape enterprise-wide security strategy.

Outside of work and academics, Jacobi enjoys fitness, continuous learning, mentoring others in technology, and spending time with his family. He remains deeply committed to personal growth, leadership, and using his skills to make a meaningful impact both professionally and personally in his community.

Katelin Krause

Katelin Krause, is a dedicated educator currently based in Southern Illinois. Driven by a passion for higher education and a desire to share her knowledge with others, Katelin found Western Governors University to be the ideal fit for her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Teaching. With her deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion, Katelin found a way to better serve students with diverse learning needs through her coursework and learnings. 

Her academic journey was marked by significant transitions, including moving four times while balancing a diverse array of seasonal roles; these experiences ranged from serving as a lifeguard at her local water park and the Aquatic Zoo, to sharing cinematic history as a tour guide at the iconic A Christmas Story House and Museum.  

Katelin now channels her love of teaching into her career and finds deep fulfillment in being an active member of her community. A true lover of extremes, she counts a Minnesota winter as her favorite season, finding a unique beauty in frozen lakes and a distinct calmness in frigid temperatures. In addition to her background in competitive swimming and figure skating, Katelin is an avid snowboarder and backpacker who is always looking for the next adventure. 

Makiya Newman

Makiya Newman, a 2026 graduate speaker in New Orleans, originally from Arkansas and now Texas local, earned her Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from WGU. She pursued this degree to strengthen her leadership skills and expand her impact on maternal and postpartum care. 

While completing her graduate studies, Makiya balanced the demands of new motherhood and nursing leadership, an experience that further shaped her passion for advocacy, equity, and compassionate care for women and families. She works as a nurse supervisor on a mother/baby unit at Baylor Scott & White Health, where she focuses on team development, patient safety, and quality improvement initiatives. 

Outside of work and school, Makiya enjoys volunteering in youth and women’s organizations and spending meaningful time with her husband, Eric, and daughter, Madisyn.