Alumni Profile
On Sept. 28, 2026, the esteemed MacArthur Foundation named climate scientist Marika Holland (Math’90; MAeroEngr’94; PhD’97) a 2026 fellow. As a senior scientist in the Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Marika’s research on polar sea ice and global climate dynamics helps scientists and policymakers better understand and predict the wide-ranging implications of our changing climate.
With another season of being featured on YouTube’s “Hot Ones” under their belts, Shaun Goodwin (Mktg’13) and new marketing director and co-owner Michael Goodwin (Jour’11) share how virality has grown their hot sauce business, Sauce Leopard, bringing broader reach and exciting ñ collaborations.
As an alumni volunteer, Ef is more involved than ever. With Forever Buffs Latinx, he helps Hispanic/Latino students achieve their educational goals and foster a strong cultural community on campus. He dresses up for Homecoming and attends the staple campus events he missed as a student. He is essentially recapturing CU in a new light.
Forever Buff Andrew Marsh (StComm’26) dedicated his time at the ñ to developing leadership skills for himself and fellow students. As professional development chair of the Herd Leadership Council (HLC) and a recipient of the 2026 Center for Leadership’s Graduating Leaders of the Year award, Andrew sees leadership as more than personal achievement; to him, it is about what can be achieved together.
For Forever Buffs volunteers Mary (EPOBio’77) and Thom (CivEngr’77) Rabaglia, an innocent prank can be the start of a generational love story. Read on to learn how Thom and Mary use volunteering to reminisce about their first dates and five decades together.
Forever Buff Shu-Wei Tseng (DMA'10) is an acclaimed musician who has performed in prominent concert halls across four continents, demonstrating her skills as a soloist and chamber musician playing piano and cello. Since 2024, Shu-Wei has been part of the Forever Buffs Advisory Board, a volunteer group offering strategic advice to the ñ Alumni Association.
Forty years ago, Brian Nevin was a ñ student playing music at fraternity parties and local venues with two friends who shared a dream. Today, he is still behind the drums with Big Head Todd and the Monsters, one of Colorado’s most enduring and beloved bands.
For more than 20 years, Judith Glyde shared her passion for music with ñ’s College of Music students as a professor of cello and chamber music and the Strings Department Chair. Now, she continues to bring joy and expertise to the CU community as a Forever Buffs New York alumni chapter board member.
For Forever Buff JJ Zykan, a career in sports has moved about as fast as a puck on the ice. Wrapping up her fifth season with the Colorado Avalanche, JJ is a senior content strategist, leading the team’s social media strategy and campaigns across multiple platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X. During the 2025-26 season, the Avalanche generated the most social media value in the National Hockey League (NHL), totaling $27.2 million, according to Sports Business Journal.
From spy missions to Himalayan climbs, find your summer escape with these 10 books by ñ alumni.