KANSAS - The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is proud to bring you the "KCAC Alumni Spotlight" series. Every two weeks, the conference will aim to highlight an alumnus of one of our KCAC full member institutions. We hope in this series to highlight successes that KCAC alumni had not only on the field, court, etc., but also in the classroom and now in their chosen professional field.
KCAC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT — McPHERSON COLLEGE
Alumnus: Natalie (Boss) DeForest
Degree Earned at McPherson: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education (2013)
Career Alumnus Currently Holds: Fourth Grade Teacher, Jefferson Elementary (Great Bend, Kan.)
How did your time at McPherson help to prepare you for life after college/entering the workforce?
DEFOREST: "McPherson College helped prepare me for life after college in ways that go beyond the actual degree. It taught me independence, time management, problem-solving, communication, how to handle failure and success appropriately, and helped me discover myself. The friends I met here became family. I'm still in touch with many people from school. The life-long friendships have been the best part of attending McPherson College."
Were there any pre-professional experiences (internships/job shadows/etc.) during your college years that prepared you for entering your chosen field?
DEFOREST: "Our education department/classes offered wonderful experiences prior to graduation. We had several classes that got us into McPherson elementary schools to practice the art and science of teaching. My student teaching experience helped me better understand the load that an educator carries by him/herself while also giving me a great mentor to help through the challenges of teaching."
What lessons did you learn competing in collegiate athletics that helped prepare you for life after your playing days were over?
DEFOREST: "Playing volleyball collegiately was truly a dream come true. I wasn't ready to let go of the sport I loved, so being able to play after high school was such a blessing. Playing collegiately taught me many things. Discipline, performing under pressure (such a huge skill in the education profession), being part of something bigger than myself, communication, and leadership are some of the things volleyball in McPherson taught me. It also taught me how to adapt to situations I wasn't 100% on board with, as well as putting others and the team first. I'll cherish my memories playing volleyball at McPherson College forever, with the biggest reason being the friendships I gained and have kept over those four years."
ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 29 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
