Busy Summer Ahead For Browning

AMES, Iowa - The reigning Big 12 Gymnast of the Year is doing much this summer than preparing for the 2012 Iowa State gymnastics season. While Michelle Browning is spending countless hours in the gym this summer, she will also be traveling to Ecuador with the Student-Athletes Leading Social Change for 10 days and also attending the Big 12 Leadership Summit in Norman, Okla.

Browning's trip to Ecuador with Student-Athletes Leading Social Change will be with approximately 20 student-athletes from universities from all over the United States. The journey to Ecuador will begin on June 11. While in Ecuador, the group will help construction on a new school and provide assistance at a shelter for those in need.

To Browning, the opportunity to help people in Ecuador was a no-brainer.

"I have always felt it is important to help others when you can," Browning said. "This is a great opportunity to do something that I truly enjoy doing with a group that I feel has a great purpose. I could not be more excited to arrive in Ecuador."

Adding to Browning's excitement to arrive in Ecuador is the fact she was not able to attend the group's trip last summer.

"Last summer I was hoping to go to Kenya with Student-Athletes Leading Social Change, but I could not because of a pulmonary embolism that happened in the spring," Browning said. "So, I am really anxious to be able to go to Ecuador this time around."

After coming back from Ecuador, Browning will have little time to get back to her training regiment before traveling to Norman, Okla., on June 26 for the three-day Big 12 Leadership Summit. The Big 12 Leadership Summit provides student-athletes with leadership opportunities regarding: diversity, leadership-skill-building exercises and analysis, self-awareness, communication, decision making, problem solving and collaborative skills.

In order to attend the Big 12 Leadership Summit, student-athletes have to be nominated by an Iowa State University employee. Browning was nominated by athletics academics services assistant Molly Parrott.

"Michelle strives to lead and impact others daily, and therefore, was an easy choice for the Big 12 Leadership Summit," Parrott said. "She takes her position as a leader and role model very seriously, and I cannot wait to see how the summit further enhances her leadership qualities."

Joining Browning at the Big 12 Leadership Summit from Iowa State will be Max Mayfield (wrestling), Rachel Hockaday (volleyball) and Brett Beuker (football).