How do you balance more than a century of tradition while preparing for what comes next? That’s precisely what Wes Allison has been doing since he stepped into his new role as President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show last May.

In preparation for the Stock Show kicking off this week, the Next 150 podcast hits the road to the National Western Center's new Legacy Building to talk with Wes about the transformation underway at one of the largest livestock shows in the world.

Wes shares his journey from growing up in Texas as an extension agent’s son to leading the Stock Show during a pivotal moment marked by new facilities, expanded year-round programming, and a renewed focus on education.

The conversation also explores strengthening the rural–urban connection, the importance of youth programs like 4-H and Future Farmers of America, and how the partnership with Colorado State University and CSU Spur helps shape the future of agriculture and Western heritage.

Shortly after winning her third WNBA championship as coach of the Las Vegas Aces, CSU Women's Basketball legend Becky Hammon '99 returned to campus to receive Colorado State University's Founders Day Medal, which recognizes an individual, family or group whose service and contributions have created a significant, lasting impact on the University's history and progress toward future goals.

While in Ram Country, she joined President Amy Parsons for an energizing and deeply personal conversation. Becky reflects on her rise from an undersized, undrafted point guard to one of the most influential coaches in basketball today. She shares how she found her way in the WNBA, forged a groundbreaking path in the NBA as the first female coach, and ultimately built a coaching dynasty in Las Vegas. She discusses the grit required to push through closed doors, the importance of character and chemistry inside a winning locker room, and the lessons she carries from every chapter of her journey.

She also looks back on her years at CSU, the friendships that still anchor her life, the memories of a packed Moby Arena, and the on-court learning experiences that shaped her approach to the game. Becky explains how those early years taught her to think differently, compete with joy, and lead with authenticity — traits that continue to define her coaching today.

Dr. Kwane Stewart — CSU veterinary medicine alum, 2023 CNN Hero of the Year, Netflix’s animal safety advisor, and co-founder of Project Street Vet — returned to campus to accept a Distinguished Alumni Award during CSU's 2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend. While in Ram Country, he joined President Parsons for a meaningful and grounding conversation about purpose and compassion.

Kwane shares how one unexpected encounter outside a 7-Eleven in California changed the course of his life and sparked the idea for Project Street Vet, a national nonprofit providing free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness that now spans six cities. He discusses rediscovering why he became a vet, the power of trust between providers and pet owners, and the many unexpected chapters of his career — from shelter medicine, to Hollywood movie sets, to a book now being considered for a feature film.

He also reflects on his years at CSU, the moment he learned he’d been accepted into the D.V.M. program and how holding one of the most diverse professional licenses has allowed him to build an unexpected career that still traces back to his CSU education 28 years later.

This episode captures the heart and humanity of one of CSU’s most inspiring graduates.

More about Dr. Stewart:

Kwane, co-founder of the nonprofit Project Street Vet, helps unhoused pets and people in need – that’s his calling.

He has been a California practicing veterinarian for more than 28 years, working in nearly every part of the profession to refine his clinical and business expertise.

Kwane was the CNN Hero of the Year for 2023, recognized for his impactful work, and for his outspoken, compassionate, charismatic and genuine nature.

A graduate of CSU in 1997, Kwane started his career as an associate and emergency clinician, and he quickly become the chief medical officer of VETCO Hospitals Inc. in 2002. In 2007, he took the reins of a struggling municipal shelter and reversed one of the worst euthanasia rates in the country during his five-year tenure. Later in 2013, he became chief veterinary officer of American Humane and director of their legacy movie program. Today, he serves as Netflix’s chief veterinary advisor in charge of global animal oversight, protecting animals behind the scenes.

Kwane is committed to efforts that connect unhoused people and their pets with quality care at no cost. That work – and inspiring stories of hope – is chronicled in a docuseries called The Street Vet. He also published a book in 2023 called, "What It Takes to Save a Life," which is being considered for a true-to-life movie.

What does it take to lead thousands of students and still make time for midterms? Just ask Jakye Nunley and Shay Wilson.

On the next episode of The Next 150, CSU President Amy Parsons sits down with the student body presidents from CSU Fort Collins and CSU Pueblo for a powerful and engaging conversation about leadership, belonging and self-discovery.

Together, Jakye and Shay share how the Divine Nine — the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council — helped shape their confidence, visibility and purpose as Black student leaders navigating two very different campuses across the CSU System.

From unexpected mentorship to stepping into roles they never saw coming, they open up about their growth and what it means to represent their peers across Colorado’s statewide university system.

Jakye Nunley is a third-year business administration student at CSU Fort Collins, concentrating in management and finance. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and currently serves as the student body president, representing more than 30,000 students through the Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU). His campus involvement includes roles as Deputy Director of Health, Judicial Liaison and Chief of Staff within ASCSU, along with leadership in United Men of Color, the Black/African American Cultural Center and collaboration with the CSU Health Network.

Shay Wilson is the President of the Associated Students’ Government (ASG) at CSU Pueblo and a first-year Master of Social Work student. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology with minors in media entertainment and cannabis studies this past August. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Shay has served within ASG as Vice President, Chief of Staff and Senator at Large, and she is also active in the NAACP, the Black Student Union, and the Pueblo African American Concern Organization. She is the namesake of the “Shay Wilson CSU Pueblo Foundation Trustee Scholarship.”

Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Strategy and Products at T-Mobile — and proud CSU alum — joins President Amy Parsons for an energizing conversation recorded at T-Mobile headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, ahead of the CSU vs. University of Washington football game. Mike shares how his start selling cellphones in retail stores while at CSU launched him into a 27-year career that’s shaped one of the most remarkable brand turnarounds in telecom history. Together, they dive into CSU’s growing partnership with T-Mobile, how to build a culture that fuels innovation, and Mike’s advice for students on how to make the most of opportunities — especially the unexpected ones.

Mike leads teams at T-Mobile responsible for shaping the company’s brand, long-term strategy, and driving innovation in customer experience. Over more than two decades with the company, he’s played a role in some of the company’s biggest moments, including the launch of its signature Un-carrier strategy, and expanded the company’s scope beyond wireless into broadband, advertising and digital-first customer experiences. For three years in a row, Forbes has named him one of its 50 Most Influential CMOs.

Previously as president of the T-Mobile Business Group, Mike oversaw rapid growth in enterprise and government partnerships and helped launch initiatives like Project 10Million, the company’s flagship philanthropic effort to connect millions of under-connected K-12 students across the country with free or subsidized internet service and hotspots.

Originally from Carbondale, Colorado, Mike graduated from CSU in 2000 with a B.A. in sociology. For the past six years, he has served on the College of Business board and, a decade ago, co-founded a scholarship that provides full-ride support for Carbondale students pursuing business or construction management. Through his leadership, T-Mobile’s partnership with CSU has established 10 scholarships across multiple campuses and supports the university’s land-grant mission through rural engagement initiatives, an annual CSU Showcase event, and the Green and Gold Guard NIL Collective for student-athletes. Finally — and probably most important — he is also a proud husband and father.

What happens when a modern land-grant university and a global tech leader join forces? In this episode of The Next 150, CSU President Amy Parsons visits Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, WA, for a wide-ranging conversation with Chris Barry, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for U.S. Public Sector Industries.

Chris leads Microsoft’s national engagement across federal, state, and local governments, higher education, and the defense industry — a portfolio that includes nearly 3,500 professionals. As the executive sponsor for the Microsoft–CSU Division of IT partnership, he plays a key role in shaping how technology can support student success, research innovation, and institutional transformation.

Together, they explore how the partnership is expanding access to education, advancing research in areas like laser technology and fusion, and addressing growing cybersecurity needs. They also discuss the intersection of culture and technology, the human side of digital transformation, and how CSU can best serve learners far beyond its Fort Collins campus.

Plus, hear Chris’ advice for today’s students—emphasizing curiosity, adaptability, and the importance of becoming AI literate in a rapidly evolving digital world.

More about Chris Barry:

Chris Barry, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, leads the Public Sector Industries segment in the United States, encompassing the federal, state and local government, higher education, and defense industrial base sectors. Chris oversees a dedicated team of nearly 3,500 professionals who are dedicated to leveraging Microsoft Cloud and AI solutions to drive digital transformation, enhance productivity, and achieve business goals. His team comprises sales, service, and customer success experts who leverage their industry-specific knowledge to empower customers to achieve more. A seasoned technology leader and adept at driving transformational change, Chris has nearly 23 years of experience at Microsoft and has held leadership roles in sales and marketing for both Enterprise and Partner Groups in the U.S., Canada, and globally. Chris has also served as the Chief Operating Officer for Microsoft’s Industry Solutions business, where he developed strategies to maximize impact for top industry accounts and scaled solutions through partner ecosystems and worldwide sales teams. Most recently, he served as President of Microsoft Canada, leading a team dedicated to delivering transformative outcomes for Canadians. Chris is passionate about driving meaningful and lasting relationships, building diverse and inclusive teams, and driving positive organizational outcomes. He believes culture is a powerful differentiator and delivering outstanding customer service requires leadership that emphasizes achievement, impeccable service, and problem-solving through autonomy and inventiveness. Chris serves on the Board of Directors for Toronto Global and splits his time between Seattle and Washington, D.C. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing, photography and boating.

Before co-founding New Belgium Brewing and redefining purpose-driven, people-first entrepreneurship, Kim Jordan was a CSU student balancing social work classes, driving a school bus, and carving out a vision for her future. On this episode of The Next 150, President Amy Parsons sits down with Kim during her return to campus to receive an honorary doctorate degree during CSU’s commencement ceremony at Canvas Stadium. They explore how her unconventional journey shaped one of the largest and most respected craft beer companies in the country, and Kim shares powerful insights on leadership, sustainability, employee ownership, and the value of building a life that is interesting, not linear.

A trailblazer by every measure, Kim has received widespread recognition. She has been honored with the Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medal for Growth and Innovation, the Brewers Association Recognition Award, and the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Conservation Achievement Award. In February, Kim was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame.

She was named CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences Honor Alumna in 2017 and received the William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award in 2018.

Kim has also served on numerous national and regional boards and committees, including the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, the Brewers Association Board, and the Governor’s Renewable Energy Authority. In December of 2024, Kim concluded an eight-year term on the CSU System Board of Governors, where she served two years as Chair. In 2013, Kim and her family launched the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation to champion social and environmental change through mission-driven philanthropy and impact investing.

In this conversation, recorded during CSU's inaugural Professional Bull Riders’ The Last Cowboy Standing, President Amy Parsons sits down with Rodeo legend Flint Rasmussen and standout CSU Rodeo Team member Ral'Shaun "YD" Descheny.

From Flint’s storied career as the most iconic entertainer in Western sports to YD’s rise as a student-athlete and top roper, this episode covers CSU's deep rodeo roots, the evolving world of bull riding, and what it means to lead with heart in and out of the arena.

Flint Rasmussen is one of the most recognized figures in rodeo entertainment and a legend in the arena. After graduating from Western Montana College with a degree in secondary education and teaching math and history, and coaching sports, Flint traded the classroom for the arena and went on to redefine the role of a rodeo entertainer. An eight-time ProRodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year and eight-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Clown and Barrelman, he became the exclusive entertainer for PBR’s premier tour for nearly two decades and a 26-time PBR World Finals Arena Entertainer. He helped shape the storytelling side of Western lifestyle as host of the talk show "Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen" for 20 years. A 2024 National Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee and 2025 Bull Riding Hall of Fame inductee, Flint now works on the corporate side of PBR. But above all, the Montanan values being known simply as Paige and Shelby’s dad.

YD Descheny, a Navajo student from Rock Point, Arizona, is forging his own path in the sport as a member of CSU’s Rodeo Team. After attending Diné College and Lamar Community College, YD is now a senior competing in team roping and studying equine science in CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. He has already earned recognition as one of the top five headers in the Central Rocky Mountain Region and recently took home $15,000 at the 2025 World Series Team Roping Championships in Cheyenne. Representing both his heritage and CSU with pride, YD embodies the grit and promise of the next generation of rodeo athletes.

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