CU student named Brad Henry International Scholar

Cameron University student Makaila Payne, a senior from Mountain View, has been designated as a Brad Henry International Scholar, a prestigious program that will see Payne, a Sports and Exercise Science major, spending the Spring 2026 semester at Swansea University in Wales.

"Makaila is outstanding representative of Cameron University and the Department of Sports and Exercise Science," says Dr. Kris Mahlock, chair of the Department of Sports and Exercise Science. "She excels both in the classroom and with her pursuit of success once she graduates. The chance for her to study abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I know Makaila will take full advantage of and will make Cameron proud!"

Payne conferred with Mahlock, who serves as her advisor, to identify classes that would be beneficial to her education and that would transfer to her CU degree plan. She's applied for Sport Performance Science; Employability, Innovation and Engagement; and Technology and Innovation in Injury Mechanics. She's also requested a Welsh history course, The Past in its Place.

"Swansea University does its class schedules a little different than we do here at Cameron," she says. "The course schedule that it provides for students does not have any days or times, so I won't know exactly what classes I am in until I reach Swansea in January."

In the meantime, she's been diligently preparing for the trip.

"There has been a lot of filling out paperwork and applications, but I believe I have finally finished that part of the process," Payne explains. "I have also been in contact with the people in charge of my scholarship to make sure that I am taking care of what I need to before I leave for Wales. Currently, I am working toward getting everything else together, like plane tickets and making lists of the things that are most important to have and bring with me. Nearly six months is a long time to be away, so I want to be as prepared as I can be when the time comes to pack and leave."

For Payne, traveling overseas is a dream come true.

"For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to travel and learn about the culture, people, and places across the world," she says. "When I first heard about this scholarship I thought it was the perfect opportunity to travel and experience all the things that I have wanted to for so long and continue to finish my college education at the same time. I am really looking forward to this opportunity to broaden my experiences and education and to learn about life outside of the United States."

The Brad Henry International Scholars program was established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 2008. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and housing and also includes a stipend to help with additional expenses. Recipients are selected based on excellent academic performance, outstanding writing and communication skills, exemplary character and exceptional leadership, maturity and judgment.

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