DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas Alumni Association, in partnership with the GOLD Alumni Network, proudly hosted the first annual 10 Under 10 Awards April 17, 2026. 

The awards celebrate exceptional alumni within 10 years of graduation who exemplify the Mean Green spirit by already making a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. The honorees are leaders advancing in their professions and demonstrating a strong commitment to service, volunteerism and philanthropic involvement.

“There’s something powerful about recognizing alumni in this moment, when their momentum is real and their impact is already taking shape,” said Josh Jones, UNT’s assistant vice president for alumni engagement. “The 10 Under 10 honorees remind us that success is not something we wait on, it is something we step into. At UNT, we are proud to celebrate who they are today, while also lifting up what is possible when eagles commit to soaring even higher.”

Here’s a look at the 2026 honorees:

Nickolas Hight (’22)

Nickolas Hight is an entrepreneur, co-founder and business builder rooted in Fort Worth, Texas and a proud alumnus of UNT, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine. Since launching his company, No Rivals in 2022, Nickolas has secured licenses with more than 150 universities, placement in over 2,000 retail stores nationwide and exclusive partnerships with emerging professional sports leagues, amassing nearly $8 million in annual revenue. His ability to blend brand strategy, retail distribution and licensing has positioned No Rivals as one of the fastest-growing names in collegiate lifestyle apparel.

Prior to No Rivals, Nickolas co-founded a crypto-based athletic endorsement platform that reached roughly 100,000 users and built a career spanning technology, neurotechnology and medical sales, experiences that shaped his instinct for identifying underserved markets and moving decisively.

Recently, he has begun to expand his entrepreneurial footprint beyond consumer brands — leading the strategic acquisition of a home services business and forming a private capital group. With multiple ventures scaling simultaneously, Nickolas represents a new generation of Fort Worth entrepreneurs, building businesses, deploying capital and creating opportunity close to home.

Brittney Huff (’19 M.P.A.)

Brittney Huff is a dedicated public servant and the finance director for the City of White Settlement, Texas. A proud first-generation college student from a small coal-mining community in Southern Illinois, Brittney has built a career defined by academic excellence and a steadfast commitment to municipal leadership.

Brittney’s professional foundation is anchored by her Master of Public Administration from UNT. Her time at UNT was marked by significant distinctions, including being named the 2019 M.P.A. Student of the Year, as well as a Hatton W. Sumner and TCMA Clarence E. Ridley Scholar. Brittney credits the UNT M.P.A. program and its robust alumni network as the "pride and joy" of her career, providing a professional return she describes as tenfold. Brittney also holds the certified government finance officer (CGFO) designation and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baylor University.

A recognized leader in the North Texas region, Brittney served as the president of the Urban Management Assistants of North Texas (UMANT) — an organization dedicated to cultivating local government talent. She has strategically cultivated expertise across various municipal functions, including roles as a management finance analyst for the City of Fort Worth and director of operations for the City of Hudson Oaks.

Madison Humphrey (’22)

Madison Humphrey is an American actress and content creator who rose to prominence on TikTok for her sharp observational humor and relatable character work. Originally a broadcast journalist with a bachelor of arts degree from UNT, Humphrey pivoted to comedy in 2021, quickly garnering millions of followers with viral "POV" sketches that satirize everyday archetypes — notably her recurring "Divorced Mom" and "Hallmark Parody" characters.

Her comedy often highlights the absurdity of social interactions and customer service scenarios, blending her improv skills with a distinct, deadpan delivery. Beyond social media, Madison has expanded her career into traditional acting, leveraging her digital success to secure roles in film and television projects.

Charlie Hunter (’21)

Charlie Hunter is a Denton-based community leader, strategist and proud alumnus of UNT. His work is rooted in a commitment to strengthening organizations and building systems that help communities thrive.

He began his community involvement in Denton’s music and arts ecosystem, contributing to initiatives such as “35 Denton Music Festival,” helping bring together artists, volunteers and local partners. He has continued that involvement through leadership as a co-founder of Friends With Benefits Denton — a volunteer-run 501(c)3 non-profit organization that hosts community events to raise funds and awareness for local charities, musicians and art programs — and by supporting organizations and events such as “Thin Line Fest,” “Denton Rock Lottery” and the Denton Main Street Association.

Charlie is the founder of Hunter Digital Insights Consulting, working with nonprofits, schools, local businesses and mission-driven organizations to strengthen fundraising efforts, expand digital reach and support sustainable growth. His work supports organizations such as the Texas Midwives Association, Denton Affordable Housing Corporation and several Montessori schools, along with other local, national and global initiatives.

In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Charlie remains actively engaged in civic leadership and service. He serves as a trustee for the Emily Fowler Library Foundation and recently completed six years of service on the City of Denton Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. His work reflects a belief that when people are given the tools, clarity and support they need, they can step into their full potential and create meaningful impact in their communities.

Dr. Ahou Vaziri Line (’23 Ph.D.)

Dr. Ahou Vaziri Line is a mental health therapist, author, international speaker and former graduate professor with almost a decade of experience specializing in parent engagement and play therapy.

Ahou is the founder of Parent Partnership Consulting and co-founder of Thread Counseling Group, a private therapy practice in Dallas. Ahou began her career as a seventh and eighth grade teacher before returning to school to earn her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University and then continuing her education at UNT, where she earned her Ph.D. in counselor education in 2023. After graduating, Ahou held a role as a faculty position at UNT, then co-founded her private practice and founded her consulting firm. During her time in academia, Ahou has authored several peer reviewed journal articles as well as book chapters educating counselors on working with parents and the multicultural implications of play therapy. Most recently, Ahou published her first textbook with Routledge and authors a popular parenting blog series on Psychology Today.

Whether working with mental health professionals, educators or parents directly, Ahou brings a practical, compassionate and research-informed approach to every conversation. She is passionate about helping organizations and professionals create more parent-inclusive practices that lead to real, lasting change for children and families.

Dr. Jacob-Aidan Martinez (’25 M.S.)

Dr. Jacob-Aidan Martinez currently serves as the director of student life at San Antonio College in San Antonio, Texas. He will be celebrating 15 years of service at the Alamo Colleges next month, a milestone hard to reach in the profession. While serving in a previous role as the interim dean of student success working as a member of the College Executive Team. It was through this work that he discovered his true calling was working directly with students: mentoring, inspiring and motivating them to continue their education.

Jacob-Aidan earned a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from UNT in 2025. He previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at St. Mary’s University, a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from UT San Antonio and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University.

Currently serving in as a member of the adjunct faculty at San Antonio College and UT San Antonio, Jacob-Aidan shares his knowledge and experience with graduate students and future higher education professionals. In his free time, he gives back to the community through multiple non-profit organization, including Omega Delta Phi Fraternity Inc., serving as the national president from 2013-2015.

Dr. Sivanesh Palanivel (’16 Ph.D.)

Dr. Sivanesh Palanivel is a distinguished leader in materials engineering whose work has advanced manufacturing and sustainable innovation in the electric vehicle industry.

Originally from Tamil Nadu, India, Sivanesh earned a Bachelor of Technology in Metallurgy from the National Institute of Technology Raipur before completing a doctorate in materials science and engineering at UNT in 2016 under the advisement of Rajiv Mishra.

Sivanesh began his career at Tesla as a materials engineer and rose to director of materials and manufacturing engineering, where he provides strategic leadership across initiatives ranging from vehicles to humanoid robotics. He leads multidisciplinary teams of more than 100 engineers and technicians and has contributed to patented innovations including gigacastings for crash critical structural components, advanced induction motor materials, high performance aluminum alloys for die casting and brazing, the Cybertruck stainless steel exoskeleton and recycling plants supporting environmentally responsible manufacturing. These advancements are now integral to Tesla’s products and production facilities and have influenced industrywide manufacturing practices.

Committed to workforce development, Sivanesh supports talent pipelines through hiring, apprenticeships with Austin Community College and Texas institutions, internships and university engagement. With more than 1,000 scholarly citations, multiple patents and a decade of impact at Tesla, he is widely recognized for leadership in engineering innovation and applied materials science.

Patrick Powers (’17)

Patrick Powers is an award winning educator, nonprofit leader and community strategist focused on advancing economic mobility through education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from UNT and later completed a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington.

As founder and executive director of The Lost Generation, Patrick built and scaled a nonprofit organization that partners with K–12 schools to expand access to academic enrichment, skill development, college exposure and career connected learning. The organization mobilizes trained UNT college students to serve as mentors in local schools, guiding K–12 students toward long term academic and economic success. He also serves as the director of student engagement for the UNT Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Network, leading collaborative efforts among current UNT students and alumni. His leadership has supported initiatives impacting thousands of students and strengthened education to workforce alignment across communities.

In addition to nonprofit leadership, Patrick has served as an eighth grade English language arts teacher in Denton I.S.D., earning national recognition from Forbes, USA Today and the Walton Family Foundation. He is a published curriculum author for the Texas Education Agency and a former Teach Plus policy fellow, contributing to statewide education policy and practice. His work continues to center on education as a driver of economic opportunity and collective impact.

Hailey Sutton (’18 M.A.)

Hailey Sutton is an award winning sports journalist and host reporter for CBS Sports HQ, CBS Sports Golazo Network and CBS Sports Network. A native of Red Oak, Texas, Hailey’s career has taken her to media markets across the country, including Montana, Alabama, Miami and Dallas.

She hosts GameDay Recap on CBS Sports HQ, covering major NFL storylines and breaking news alongside former players, executives and analysts. Hailey also contributed to the inaugural season of the Gainbridge USL Super League, providing in booth analysis during the regular season and serving as sideline reporter for the postseason championship tournament.

Before joining CBS Sports, Hailey served as the Dallas Cowboys’ team reporter during the 2022–23 seasons. She hosted the all women podcast, “Girls Talk, Boys Talk,” and Cowboys programming including “Cowboys Flashback,” “Cowboys Rewind” and “1st & 10.” She was also part of the first all women sports team at WTVJ in Miami.

A former conference champion soccer student athlete at UNT, Hailey worked with Mean Green Productions as a soccer broadcaster and social media coordinator while earning a master’s degree in journalism. Prior to UNT, she was an early walk on at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, earning all tournament honors during her senior season.

Samantha Taylor (’16, ’20 M.P.A.)

Samantha Taylor serves as office director and emergency management coordinator for Denton County, Texas, where she leads emergency preparedness and disaster resilience efforts in one of the state’s fastest growing counties. She brings more than nine years of experience in emergency management, including more than six years in leadership roles, and is recognized for a collaborative approach to preparedness, partnership building and workforce development.

Samantha oversees emergency management coordination across 26 jurisdictions, 11 school districts and numerous public safety and nonprofit partners. She manages multimillion dollar federal and state grant programs and leads regional preparedness initiatives that strengthen coordination across North Texas.

She has directed and supported complex statewide disaster operations, including Denton County’s response and long term recovery following the May 2024 tornado outbreak affecting Sanger and Valley View. These efforts contributed to the county receiving the 2025 Emergency Management Association of Texas Excellence in Emergency Management Award.

Samantha remains committed to developing future emergency management leaders through guest lectures at UNT, oversight of Denton County’s internship program and student mentorship in emergency management and disaster science programs.