Summer 2025 Issue

Alumni for Good

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Story By: Brittany Carlson Prokupek ’16

June 13, 2025

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At Central College, students don’t just earn a degree — they discover their purpose. Through mentorship, service and life-changing experiences, they find a community that shapes their future and inspires them to make a difference.

From mental health advocacy and global public health to youth sports, education and community outreach, Central alumni are doing more than building careers — they’re doing good in the world.

Larry

From Central to a career filled with mentorship, service and second chances, the life of Larry Embling ’68 has been a testament to doing good in the world. His journey has spanned multiple careers — from admission counselor to financial advisor and educator — but his true calling has always been helping others.

Embling’s impact is perhaps most evident in his work with prison ministry and rehabilitation programs. Through Kairos Prison Ministry, he dedicated countless hours to mentoring incarcerated individuals, offering them hope, education and a path forward. Later, as an instructor in a prison education program, he worked directly with inmates, helping them earn degrees, develop life skills and prepare for reentry into society. His efforts gave many the second chance they never thought possible.

Beyond the prison walls, Embling’s passion for service continues. He now devotes his time to Valley of Grace, a faith-based rehabilitation program for individuals recovering from addiction. There, he mentors participants, helps them navigate life after recovery and provides the guidance they need to build stable futures. Additionally, Embling works with special needs students in the Kokomo, Indiana, area, ensuring they receive the support and encouragement necessary to thrive.

Embling credits his time at Central for instilling in him the values of community, resilience and service.

“Central opened my eyes to the power of relationships and giving back,” he says.

Embling’s lifelong commitment to helping others exemplifies the heart of Central — proving that one person’s dedication can change countless lives.

Kathy

Kathy Sikkema ’84 has dedicated her career to improving mental health and well-being around the world. As the Stephen Smith Professor and Chair of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, she is a leader in addressing mental health disparities, reducing stigma and fostering resilience in communities with limited resources. A clinical psychologist specializing in health and community psychology, she has spent over 30 years developing mental health interventions that have shaped public health policies globally.

Sikkema’s work is rooted in a powerful belief: “There is no health without mental health.”

Her groundbreaking research has focused on community-based interventions for HIV prevention and mental health care, particularly in underserved populations.

Her programs have improved access to treatment and shaped care models in the U.S. and internationally.

Recognizing the urgent need for mental health support, Sikkema also brings her expertise back to Central. As a member of Central’s Board of Trustees, she led a discussion with faculty and staff on supporting students’ mental well-being in a digital, post-pandemic world. She credits Central for shaping her career path, citing service learning and internships as pivotal experiences that inspired her commitment to public health.

Through her research, advocacy and service, Sikkema continues to make a profound impact, ensuring that mental health remains at the forefront of global health efforts. Her work represents Central’s mission to do A World of Good, one community at a time.

Cy and Jen

For Cy ’99 and Jen Lukes McMahon ’97, Central was more than an education — it was the foundation for a life of service. Their journey has taken them from college classrooms and athletics courts to ministry, adoption and foster care, touching lives in immeasurable ways.

Cy, a former basketball player and business major, never expected his path to lead to the pulpit. But through relationships formed at Central — many of whom prayed for him without his knowledge — he found his faith and his calling. Today, he serves as a pastor, helping others find hope and purpose.

Jen, drawn to Central through athletics, has always had a heart for connection and community. That passion has shaped their journey, from adopting children in need of a home to serving in ministry. Together, they helped plant a church in Ottumwa, Iowa, before moving to northwest Iowa, where they continue their mission to serve others.

Their work extends beyond the walls of the church. As adoptive parents, the McMahons have given children a safe, loving home. Their commitment to service echoes the values they embraced at Central and thereafter — compassion, resilience and faith in action.

“Central was where we built lifelong friendships and learned what it meant to truly invest in others,” Jen shares.

“People prayed for me, believed in me and never gave up — and that shaped how I approach serving others today,” Cy adds.

Their story is a testament to how Central prepares graduates to do a world of good. Through ministry, family and community outreach, the McMahons continue to embody the spirit of service that defines the Central experience.

Ben

For Ben Schornack ’13, sports have always been more than just a game — they are a powerful tool for social change. From his time as a Central student-athlete to his leadership in global nonprofit work, he has dedicated his career to expanding access to sports for underserved communities.

After graduating from Central, Schornack moved to New York City, where he began coaching basketball and working with nonprofit organizations focused on using athletics to support youth development. Over time, his work evolved into training coaches and advocating for sport as a means of empowerment, particularly for young people affected by trauma and hardship.

Schornack now serves as the director of Sport for Good Chicago at Laureus Sport for Good USA. An organization founded under the patronage of Nelson Mandela, Schornack leads initiatives that provide sports programming to thousands of children across Chicago, Illinois, and beyond. His efforts have resulted in millions of dollars in funding directed toward organizations that use athletics to address social issues like violence prevention, education and community building.

Schornack’s commitment to change has earned him recognition as an Obama Foundation USA Leader and a member of the Civic Nation’s Change Collective, programs that connect emerging leaders in social impact. Whether he’s working with global sports brands, coaching young athletes or advocating for equity in youth athletics, Schornack’s passion remains rooted in the values he developed at Central — leadership, service and the belief that sports can change lives.

“Central taught me how to think critically, work across different communities and use my passions to make a difference,” he shares. “That foundation continues to shape everything I do.”

Through his work, Schornack is proving that sports aren’t just about competition — they’re about opportunity, inclusion and making the world a better place.

Changemakers

The Central experience not only educates, but prepares students to lead, serve and create meaningful change. Across industries and around the world, Central alumni are living out the college’s mission, using their talents and passions to make a lasting impact. These stories — and countless more — demonstrate the power of a Central education: One that shapes lives, strengthens communities and ensures every generation continues to do A World of Good.

We want to hear about the good you’re doing in the world. Submit your World of Good stories to Brittany Carlson Prokupek ’16, magazine editor, at carlsonb@central.edu.