A proud graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Communication program, Kyle Muncy has dedicated over three decades to enhancing the university’s brand, communications, and corporate partnerships. His leadership in collegiate branding, corporate social responsibility, and ethical sourcing has positioned UConn as a model institution in the licensing industry.

Kyle’s journey at UConn began in January 1992, when he secured an internship in the Athletic Communications office during his senior year. This pivotal experience, under the mentorship of Tim Tolokan, ignited his passion for sports communication and brand management, setting the foundation for a distinguished career.

In 1994, Kyle officially joined UConn Athletics as Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications, a role he held for over 17 years. During this time, he managed media relations and public outreach for the university’s nationally recognized programs, working closely with legendary athletes, including Emeka Okafor during the 2004 NCAA Championship. His ability to amplify the voices of student-athletes and share UConn’s success with the world shaped his early career.

Transitioning in 2011 to Associate Director of Athletics for Trademark Licensing and Branding, Kyle led efforts to protect and grow UConn’s brand identity. He later served as Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications & Brand Management, and since 2018, he has been Director of Brand Partnerships and Trademark Management. In this capacity, he has overseen corporate partnerships, licensing strategies, and brand initiatives, notably contributing to the development of the "Basketball Capital of the World" brand identity. His work has ensured that UConn’s dominance on the court is reflected in its branding and national reputation.

Kyle’s contributions extend beyond branding—he has been a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethical sourcing. His commitment to human rights in supply chains helped UConn earn the 2021 ICLA Service Award, a recognition of the university’s impact in ethical licensing. Under Kyle’s leadership, UConn implemented one of the country’s most stringent vendor codes of conduct, ensuring that all internal apparel and promotional vendors are FLA-affiliated and committed to fair labor practices. His oversight of UConn’s licensees, along with his role on multiple CSR committees, has set a standard for universities nationwide.

Beyond his work at UConn, Kyle has been a strong advocate for ethical branding and corporate responsibility. He has served on the President’s Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility since 2011, the Board of Directors for the Worker Rights Consortium since 2017, and previously on the Fair Labor Association’s Monitoring Committee. Additionally, Kyle helped spearhead UConn’s participation in a Living Wage Pilot Program, making UConn the first university in the nation to test retail-based living wage initiatives with multiple licensees and retailers. His passion for community engagement is also evident through his roles as a Board Member for the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and an Advisory Board Member for UConn Brewing Innovation.

For Kyle, UConn is more than a workplace—it’s home. The Muncy family’s connection to UConn is profound. In 2019, Kyle’s daughter, Taylor, earned her bachelor’s degree from CLAS, nearly three decades after her parents first met in Storrs as undergraduates. In May 2022, Kyle and Taylor shared the unique experience of graduating together, each earning their second degrees from the UConn School of Business.

As Kyle approaches his 32nd year at UConn, he remains as passionate as ever about the university and its community. From an eager intern in 1992 to a leader shaping UConn’s national presence, Kyle Muncy’s career exemplifies dedication and excellence. In recognition of his decades of service and significant impact on communication, branding, and corporate responsibility, he is honored as the 2025 Distinguished COMM Alumnus.

Bio by Matthew Barrows (CLAS '24)

Ama Appiah is a visionary and prolific marketing leader from Middletown, CT, now based in New York City. She graduated in 2019 as a Communication and Molecular and Cell Biology double major during her undergraduate tenure at UConn. At UConn, Ama served in many leadership roles, most notably as the first Black, female Undergraduate Student Body President. In this role, she successfully advocated for students through programming, policy changes and diplomacy - increasing funding for campus mental health programming, restructuring general education course requirements to include additional experiential learning, implementing diversity education opportunities, and expanding career development support for students entering post-grad. Additionally, she successfully led the charge to revise the final examination week schedule to include more reading days for students, increase opportunities for non-honors students to participate in research, and increase accessibility to advising resources online.

As an alumna, Ama continued to stay involved by serving on the UConn Life Transformative Education task force, which focused on cultivating methods to improve inclusive learning, improve advising, and identify support needed to implement life transformative education in the university culture. Ama was awarded the prestigious Forte Fellowship to pursue an MBA and Global Business Management certificate at George Washington University (GWU). At GWU, Ama served in diverse roles that included teaching English to GW Korean international students, serving on the Board of Trustees Environment, Social, and Governance Committee, holding leadership positions in the GW Student Association as a two term Graduate senator and Vice Chairperson for Education Policy, mentoring in the GW Black Girl Mentoring Program, and guiding international students as an Exchange Student Ambassador.

Ama has a dynamic career in international marketing across seven different industries, including entertainment, technology, media, gaming, fashion, higher education, government - all through the lens of youth culture, pop culture, internet communities and digital marketing. She is a trailblazer in the online media space. She had her start with running a media business for news on her favorite artist. While managing a global team of 5, her page attracted 65K+ followers, including news organizations such as iHeartRadio and Yahoo News UK. From designing statewide youth public health campaigns with former CT governor Dan Malloy to developing digital marketing strategies for startups in Ghana, Ama has developed a sharp/creative acumen in bringing stories that target global audience to life. Currently, she works at HP as a Global Brand and Partnerships manager. In this capacity, she leads the global commercial brand campaigns and high-profile partnerships. Her most recent activity includes partnership campaigns with the Real Madrid football club in Spain and Wrexham AFC in Wales.

Ama's commitment to amplifying voices and fostering community engagement extends beyond her professional endeavors. As the host and producer of "The Bonnet Talks" podcast, she engages Gen Z from around the world in conversations on current issues, trends, and driving meaningful dialogue. The podcast is currently streamed in 88 countries by thousands of listeners globally. She also serves as the Communications Director of Raised By Grace Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping those on the Autism Spectrum transition successfully from school life into adulthood.

Connect with Ama on LinkedIn.

Marvin Louis is an innovative leader hailing from Bridgeport, CT, recognized for his adept management of services, resources, and facilities to meet community needs and enhance local engagement. With a robust background in strategic planning, program development, and fiscal management, Marvin excels in fostering collaborative environments and cultivating inclusive, productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

His career trajectory saw significant milestones at the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, where as Unit Director, he spearheaded the development and implementation of comprehensive programs catering to over 250 members, spanning the areas of STEM, athletics, and mentoring. Marvin's strategic vision was evident in his adept management of a $2M operational budget, forging partnerships, and securing grants to expand program offerings. Notably, Marvin's initiatives included the establishment of an aquatics program, internship program, and culinary initiative, all of which garnered acclaim and positively impacted member engagement. Furthermore, his dedication to mental health initiatives and community partnerships underscores his commitment to holistic youth development.

Prior to his tenure at the Boys & Girls Club, Marvin played pivotal roles at Digital Media Connecticut and The Business Council of Fairfield County, where he demonstrated his versatility in project coordination and talent development.

Marvin is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Media Studies.  Complementing his academic achievements are certifications in Youth Mental Health First Aid and First Aid/CPR, reflecting his commitment to holistic well-being.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Marvin is deeply engaged in community service, serving on the boards of Friends of the Ferguson Library and Future 5, and actively participating in Heart & Purpose initiatives.

With a track record of transformative leadership and unwavering dedication to community enrichment, Marvin Louis continues to be an inspiring beacon in the field of youth development and community engagement.