Makayla Ashford – originally from Bolingbrook, Illinois – graduated with a Bachelor of Science in sport management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2025. From May to August 2024, she served as an Athletics Intern with the Urbana Park District, where she supported program supervision, event development, budget preparation, and marketing initiatives. For most of the 2024-25 academic year, Ashford co-produced the university’s annual Central Black Student Union Variety Show, titled “Haus of Chaos”, where she managed event planning, execution, and promotional strategies. She has also earned experience through assisting with the 2025 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Tournament and serving as a Street Team Member with the Fighting Illini Marketing Team from September 2023 to January 2024.