WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duquesne lacrosse's
Mackenzie Leszczynski has been named a 2025 Atlantic 10 Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, the conference office announced Thursday. This prestigious honor is given to a graduating student-athlete from each of the league's 14 members to provide financial benefits for advanced academic degrees.
Over the last decade, the A-10's Postgraduate Scholarship program has awarded $570,000 to 114 former student-athletes. Each of this year's 14 honorees receives $3,000 to contribute towards full-time enrollment in a postgraduate or professional program. First instituted to provide continuing education opportunities for graduating student-athletes, the program awards $42,000 in scholarship funding to former A-10 student-athletes. This marks the ninth year the Atlantic 10 has provided the scholarships to individuals from each Atlantic 10 campus.
A standout on the field and in the classroom, Leszczynski has been a four-year contributor for the Dukes and one of the most decorated players in program history. The Flourtown, Pennsylvania, native is a three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection as a second-team midfielder. Career accolades also include A-10 All-Rookie Team honors in 2022, along with recognition as both the A-10 Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.
Just the second player in program history to record more than 200 career draw controls, Leszczynski ranks among Duquesne's all-time top 10 in both goals and assists — one of only six players to achieve that distinction. The senior midfielder finishes her career with 215 draw controls, 144 goals and 51 assists. In 2024, she ranked among the top 13 in the conference in six statistical categories and led the Dukes in points (61), goals (41) and draw controls (53), while posting a career-high 20 assists.
In the classroom, Leszczynski majored in biology with minors in biochemistry and English, earning A-10 All-Academic Team honors this season and recognition on the 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Team. A four-time selection to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, she will pursue a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy beginning in the fall.
Outside of academics and athletics, Leszczynski volunteered in the oncology unit at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh,.
The class is comprised of 11 female and three male student-athletes, representing eight different sports with an average GPA of 3.78. The selection process involves the league's athletic directors, senior woman administrators and faculty athletic representatives.
"Providing this prestigious honor to Atlantic 10 student-athletes gives a very deserving group of academically driven young men and women the opportunity to extend their education and enrich their lives," stated Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. "We have countless success stories of former postgraduate scholars who have used the funds to earn post graduate degrees in many areas. This commitment gives tangible context to an important part of the A-10's commitment to the academic success of our student-athletes. I congratulate each of these deserving individuals and have no doubt all will continue to be tremendously successful."
2025 Postgraduate Scholarship Honorees
| SCHOOL |
NAME |
SPORT |
MAJOR |
| Davidson |
Annica Valmassei |
Women's Track & Field / Swimming & Diving |
Chemistry |
| Dayton |
Haven Dwyer |
Softball |
Health Science with a concentration in Exercise and Movement |
| Duquesne |
Mackenzie Leszczynski |
Women's Lacrosse |
Biology |
| Fordham |
Luisa Rosa |
|
Computer and Information Sciences |
| George Mason |
Alexandra Tyler |
Women's Swimming & Diving |
Forensic Science |
| George Washington |
Taylor Bernosky |
Women's Swimming & Diving |
International Affairs with a concentration in International
Economics |
| La Salle |
Meghan Lyons |
Rowing |
Communication Sciences and Disorders |
| Loyola Chicago |
Gabe Smit |
Men's Cross Country |
Biology |
| Rhode Island |
Owen Fleischer |
Men's Track & Field |
politics, philosophy, economics, and law |
| Richmond |
Izzy Blaylock |
Women's Track & Field |
Health Science Biomedical Concentration |
| St. Bonaventure |
Fiona McGovern |
Women's Lacrosse |
English, Communication studies |
| Saint Joseph's |
Natalie Nevins |
Women's Soccer |
Exercise Science |
| Saint Louis |
Emily Gaebe |
Women's Soccer |
Aquaculture and Fisheries Science / Biology |
| VCU |
Eryn Byrd |
Women's Track & Field |
Health, Physical and Exercise Science Major |
Over the last 11 years, the average GPA of the honorees for the Postgraduate Scholarship Program has been 3.70 or higher. The program, which began honoring two student-athletes in 1991, has been so successful and well-received by both the recipients and the A-10 member institutions that it has expanded several times. The most recent expansion, which was adopted in January of 2015 and implemented that spring, now includes one representative from each A-10 school.
To be considered for the Postgraduate Scholarship, student-athletes must have performed with distinction both in the classroom and in their respective sports throughout their career, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community.
