Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication is home to a plethora of student leaders and changemakers. Many are  Klein Rising Peer Mentors - sophomores, juniors or seniors who assist in Klein College seminars and develop relationships with freshmen as they build their own academic pathway and adjust to college life. Klein Rising Peer Mentors are accomplished leaders, and no one emulates this better than sophomore communication studies major Katherine Black.  

At the beginning of October, Black was notified that she received a fellowship with the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Started by former National Football League player Boomer Esiason for his son, Gunnar, the foundation raises awareness and funds for those living with cystic fibrosis (CF). 

Faculty at Klein College took notice of Black the moment she transferred to Temple in spring 2024. Rob Dearden, an academic advisor at Klein College, taught her in his new student seminar class. He knew right away that Black was a leader and recommended her for the peer mentor position.  

“She was clearly quite driven, and was always positive when engaging with her peers,” Dearden said.  

Tyler DeVice, KLN '18, '23, the Klein College assistant director of student success, knew immediately that Black was the right person for the job.  

“I think about these new students and who I want them to emulate, and it’s Katherine,” explained DeVice. “She’s the archetype of who you should want to be.”  

As a fellow with the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Black will be studying different advocacy and policies in health care, specifically concerning CF. According to Black, this is the first cohort of its kind, and she’s excited about this new endeavor.  

“There’s no blueprint of how it’s been done in the past, so we’re all learning together,” said Black.  

Black is no stranger to advocacy work, or the world of CF. Her older sister struggles with the genetic disorder, and Black often felt helpless.  

“CF was always a part of my life, and I struggled a lot with anxiety about my sister’s health and fearing for her future,” she explained. “I had a hard time figuring out how I could help her because I can’t create a cure myself.”  

She started fundraising with her family and participating in Great Strides walks. Then, from 2017 to 2023, she went to Washington DC for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s annual Teen Advocacy Days. In addition, this past summer she served as a policy and advocacy intern for the foundation.  

“I found an outlet to help produce change for my sister’s life, and to try and make a difference,” Black said.  

Black was thrilled when she found out she received her fellowship. Advocacy for those with CF has become a huge part of her life, and she can’t wait to keep pushing with it.  

“Knowing that I have the opportunity to keep doing this work that means so much to me, it’s just exciting,” said Black.  

Both Dearden and DeVice believe that this fellowship could not have gone to a better person.  

“There’s no one more deserving, in my opinion, than Katherine,” DeVice said. “She’s the person that’s going to make the most of it and use that platform for good.”  

Black is looking forward to absorbing as much as she can from the Boomer Esiason Foundation.  

“It’s something that hits so close to home, but I still have so much to learn,” Black explained. “Seeing all the topics [my cohort is covering] gets me excited because it shows how much more there is to dive into.”  

What she’s most excited about, however, is the ability to shine a light on CF. Being a rare disease, many people do not even know it exists.  

“You’re working from point zero sometimes, so just having any platform to spread awareness means the world to me,” said Black.  

After graduation, Black wants to continue her policy and advocacy work.  

“Having these opportunities…has made it a lot more clear to me,” said Black. “It’s what make sense and what I’m passionate about.”  

DeVice knows that Black is going to do incredible things, and he’s just looking forward to seeing her succeed.  

“I'm just so excited to see where it's going to lead. You tend to find that students earning these opportunities, it doesn't just stop there,” DeVice said. “She is only going to be limited by her own ambition.”