ROSEMONT, IL -- Maryland gymnast Sophia LeBlanc has been awarded a 2023 Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship. The Big Ten Conference office honors student-athletes from each of the 14 Big Ten institutions who plan to continue their education at a graduate degree program were each awarded a $7,500 scholarship, based primarily on academic achievements.

LeBlanc, native of Waltham, Massachusetts, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology this past spring. Sophia has been a key part of her campus community throughout her time in College Park, serving as a Team Impact Fellow and a member of the Maryland Made Mentorship and Leadership Educational Programs. Sophia has also earned recognition for her excellent work in the classroom as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, WCGA Academic All-American and Academic All-Big 10 Selection. Sophia will be attending graduate school in the fall for sports psychology.
 

Each Big Ten institution developed its own on-campus selection process when awarding the scholarships. Students must have maintained at least a 3.2 grade-point-average, demonstrated leadership qualities, served as an excellent role model and intended to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree at a graduate degree program. The scholarship will be used to pay expenses of the student's postgraduate education to include such related activities as research and teaching, as well as other expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, required course-related supplies and books. In order to retain the scholarship, the recipient must be accepted into a full-time graduate degree program within three years from the fall semester after selection.