(Release courtesy of MIT Athletics) 

Indianapolis, Ind. - Natalie Barnouw and Leena Mehendale of the MIT women's soccer team have been named as two of 42 student-athletes to be awarded the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. The women's soccer program has now had four student-athletes receive a postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA.  

Each year, the NCAA awards 126 postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who have completed their final year of athletics competition.  

The scholarships are distributed three times annually — in the fall, winter, and spring — providing 21 scholarships each to men and women per season.  

Barnouw is graduating from MIT in the spring with a degree in Computational Biology and was most recently named the College Sports Communications Team member of the year after earning First Team Academic All-America.  Mehendale is getting her degree in Biological Engineering and was a CSC Second Team Academic All-American this season. She was also the NEWMAC's Laurels of Academic Excellence winner for women's soccer- awarded to the student-athlete with the highest GPA competing at the championship. 

Established in 1964, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program promotes and encourages graduate education by recognizing the Association's most accomplished student-athletes. The program evaluates candidates on their athletic and academic achievements, campus involvement, community service, and leadership. 

About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.