For many students, graduation marks the end of their time at a university. But for these former Newman University student-athletes, their journey has come full circle.
Alumnae Natalie Morales ‘24, Marie Brunet ‘24 and McKinzie Weaver ‘24 once wore team jerseys, attended classes and lived out the student-athlete grind at Newman University. Today, they work as graduate assistants for Newman, mentoring students while gaining valuable experiences to prepare for their future careers.
Natalie Morales: From volleyball to a future in health care
Born in Texas but raised in Puerto Rico, Morales considers the island her true home. When deciding on a college, she was drawn to Newman for its volleyball program, small class sizes and welcoming atmosphere.
“I felt like it was a place where I could truly grow academically and personally,” she said.
Morales’ experiences as a student-athlete taught her the values of resilience, time management and how to lead by example. As a graduate assistant for the Newman athletics department, she pours those same skills into her daily work.
“I love building relationships with the athletes and staff while supporting the overall success of the department,” she said. “Newman is a place that has continually supported my goals.”
Morales’ interest in business and marketing stemmed from her love of problem-solving.
“I’ve always loved finding ways to make things run more smoothly, whether it’s in athletics or daily life,” she explained.
That passion evolved into an interest in health care, where she hopes to improve systems and make a positive impact on people’s lives. She lives by her own advice: To “take advantage of every opportunity for growth, even when it feels uncomfortable.”
“Hard work is important, but burnout can be avoided by finding a balance,” Morales said. “I would tell my younger self to set clear boundaries and prioritize self-care.”
When her time as a Newman graduate assistant ends, Morales will hold on close to the memories formed as a student-turned-staff.
“It is such an amazing atmosphere, and it is also very rewarding to be part of an environment where teamwork and growth are constantly encouraged,” she said.
Fun fact about Morales: At 15 years old, she attended her first concert, which was a Justin Bieber concert she attended by herself.
Marie Brunet: From tennis to biomedical science
Brunet, who hails from Paris, made a once-in-a-lifetime decision to study abroad for her university experience. Once she met former head tennis coach Shella Augspurger, Brunet knew she was in the right place.
“Shella inspired great confidence in me and gave me a glimpse of the incredible team atmosphere even before I joined,” Brunet said. “My experience here would not have been the same without her guidance and the amazing teammates I had throughout my four years as a player.”
Fluent in four languages — French, English, Spanish and Portuguese — Brunet has a passion for lifelong learning. After graduating with her undergraduate degree in biology with a concentration in biomedical science, Brunet decided to pursue her master’s in data science. She is now considering earning a second master’s degree to deepen her knowledge.
“I’ve always been passionate about the biomedical field, and my dream is to work in a research lab,” she said. “I chose to study data science now because medicine increasingly relies on data analysis. I wanted to gain skills that would complement my biomedical background and open new opportunities in the field.”
Connecting with current student-athletes through her job as a graduate assistant tennis coach means she can draw from her own journey to guide and motivate them, both on and off the court. As an athlete, Brunet learned how to balance academics and athletics, which is a significant part of what she now helps the players manage.
“As a player, I had an incredible experience here, and now I’m dedicated to helping the new players feel the same,” Brunet said. “I want them to feel as happy, supported and comfortable as I always did, and to make the most of their time here.”
If she could offer one piece of advice, Brunet would tell students to “enjoy every moment” and not be afraid of stepping outside of their comfort zone.
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed as a student-athlete, but those challenges help you grow the most,” she said. “I would also remind them that it’s okay to ask for help. There are always people willing to support you, just like I experienced at Newman. In short, trust the process, cherish the relationships you build along the way, and believe in your ability to handle both successes and setbacks. Everything you learn will prepare you for bigger opportunities ahead.”
McKinzie Weaver: From volleyball to management, marketing and health care
Weaver, a Kansas City native, originally came to Newman to play volleyball and planned to pursue a career in medicine. However, she soon realized her true passion lay elsewhere.
“I didn’t feel like the medical field was the best path for me,” she admitted. “My experience of being on a team, building relationships with people and developing leadership characteristics redirected my path.”
She ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in management and marketing and is now pursuing her Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in health care administration.
For Weaver, coming back to Newman as a graduate assistant for the volleyball team was an easy decision.
“There’s a reason I came back — I absolutely love it here,” she said. “The atmosphere makes it hard to leave, especially when I feel like this is where I have grown the most as a person.”
Weaver now works alongside individuals she once looked up to.
“It’s so rewarding to impact Newman students and student-athletes with positivity and support,” she said. “The atmosphere makes it hard to leave, especially when I feel like here is where I have grown the most as a person.”
Weaver’s time as a student-athlete helped her develop the skills she now uses to mentor and guide players both on and off the court. She hopes current students embrace everything Newman has to offer, trust in God’s plan and seek everything with a positive, loving mindset.
“Newman has molded my preparation through so many experiences,” she said. “I want my players to know they are supported and that they have the opportunity to grow here — just like I did.”
Fun fact about Weaver: Her favorite movie is “Nacho Libre” and she dressed as him for Halloween.
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