Originally, from Swampscott, MA, Natalia Shams McNeil '11 graduated from Lyndon State College in 2011 with a bachelor of arts in sociology and global studies. She was inducted into the Arthur B. Elliott Honor Society. In 2013, Natalia received her master's degree in diplomacy, Sigma Iota Rho, from Norwich University.
Natalia was recruited to play softball by former Lyndon head women's softball coach and Athletic Hall of Fame member, Jennifer Kirchoff Layn '06. In high school, she was a two-year captain, received the coaches' award in 2004 and 2006, was named team MVP in 2005 and 2007, and was selected as a Salem News All-Star, North East All Conference All-Star, Agganis All-Star Classic Athlete, and Boston Global All-Scholastic Athlete her senior year, 2007. She was also a member of the junior Olympic travel softball team, New England Storm.
On the Lyndon softball field, Natalia was a four-year starter and two-year team captain. She received numerous honors including being named team MVP in 2009 and 2010, selected to the North Atlantic Conference All-Conference Second Team in 2011, and was an honorable mention in 2009.
In her 2010 season, Natalia ranked third in the conference for triples, fifth in on-base percentage (.474), and 11th in batting average (.377). She led the team in doubles, runs-batted-in, and slugging percentage (.574). In her senior season, Natalia ranked seventh in the conference for stolen bases and eighth in the conference for on-base percentage (.470). She also ranked first in the conference and sixth in the nation, NCAA Division III, for most walks in the season (22).
Natalia was part of the 2008 team that reached the USCAA Women's Softball Championship in Decatur, Ill., and is currently the only player in Lyndon softball history to start a game at every position within her career.
In the two full seasons Natalia played soccer, she recorded 192 saves in 31 games. She also ranked second in the conference for save percentage and received the coaches' award in 2008. She was nominated for the prestigious "NCAA Woman of the Year Award" representing Lyndon and was awarded the Athletic Department's Champion of Character Award in 2011.
Natalia was active in the Lyndon campus community and served as a resident assistant for Student Life from 2008-2011. She was a member of the Resident Hall Association in 2010-2011; Resident Assistant Advisory Board in 2010-2011; and Student Athletic Advisory Committee from 2009-2011 – serving as Secretary, 2010-2011. She was also a member of the Track & Field Club prior to it becoming a varsity sport. Natalia was recognized for her on-campus community efforts and awarded with the Department of Resident Life Promise Award in 2011.
Natalia is currently a website administrator and data analyst for Cherry Bekaert LLP, one of the nation's largest certified public accounting firms. She and her husband, Stephen McNeill, and their rescue dog, George, reside in Richmond, VA. They are expecting their first child in January 2021.
