Herrera selected for NCAA Postgraduate Internship

Published 5:39 pm Friday, July 19, 2024

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By Keith Michlig

 

Georgia Southwestern State University graduate Natalia Herrera recently began her yearlong appointment in the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program after being selected from a pool of almost 1,000 applicants.

The Postgraduate Internship Program annually provides on-the-job learning experiences to college graduates who are passionate in their pursuit of a career in college sports administration. With a focus on ethnic minorities, women and former student-athletes, the program gives insight to the inner workings of college sports from the national perspective.

The NCAA’s 2024-25 intern class comprises 34 college graduates, including 26 former student-athletes. Herrera is working in Indianapolis with the rest of the cohort.

Herrera, a three-year member of the Georgia Southwestern softball team, submitted her application in the fall and during the spring semester advanced through a two-step interview process that included an initial Zoom interview before flying to the NCAA national office in Indianapolis for an in-person meeting.

NCAA postgraduate interns receive comprehensive training, mentoring assignments and networking opportunities. In their first week at the NCAA, current interns engaged with leaders of the Big Ten Conference, Riddell, Wilson Sporting Goods and Northwestern. As part of the program, postgraduate interns plan and execute professional development site visits to conference offices, member campuses and affiliate organizations to further their knowledge of the collegiate sports industry and network with leaders.

“First and foremost, I want to say that it truly takes a village,” Herrera said. “I’m so thankful to God, to my family, to my friends and the entire GSW community for their support and love over the years. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Herrera is the first GSW student-athlete to earn this opportunity, as well as the first representative from the Peach Belt Conference. She will work in NCAA Divsion III governance.

“I’m grateful for the incredible experience I had at GSW, where I had the opportunity to develop academically, athletically and professionally as a student-athlete,” Herrera said. “The support from coaches, professors, staff and the community was truly unmatched. I’m excited to take the skills and knowledge I gained to my new role with the NCAA and make a positive impact on the student-athlete experience.”