What’s Next for Caroline Natwick ’26 This fall, Natwick will enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
August 5, 2026

Caroline Natwick ’26
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

What are your post-graduation plans?

In the fall, I will begin my Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What are some skills or lessons you will take from your academic experience into the professional world?

Arriving at W&L as a first-year, I had no idea I would be equipped with a variety of skills and interests that would extend beyond my healthcare aspirations. Being introduced to a wide range of academic disciplines made me a more multifaceted person. My science courses sharpened my analytical and detail-oriented thinking, while my business classes developed my interpersonal communication and creative problem-solving abilities. In patient-forward settings, I look forward to building on the breadth of skills I’ve gained from my liberal arts education.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

Going into healthcare is almost innate for me. From age 3, I was putting Band-Aids on everything in sight and loved playing “hospital.” I came to W&L wanting to be a doctor, and throughout the course of my first year, realized I loved neuroscience, physics and biology. Having identified areas of the sciences that I was passionate about, I was introduced to physical therapy as a career path that fits so naturally with what I was looking to achieve. After meaningful summer internship experiences in a variety of physical therapy settings, I was sold on pursuing this path. Diving into my entrepreneurship minor added another dimension entirely, sparking a genuine interest in business. My long-term goal is to practice as a neurological physical therapist while also pursuing an administrative or healthcare consulting role down the road.

What was your favorite class? And is there one class that ended up changing your perspective or that really surprised you?

My favorite class was Sleep and Circadian Rhythms with Dr. Brindle. It was deeply applicable to so many aspects of physiology and neuroscience, and I came away with a much richer understanding of how sleep health shapes our overall well-being. The course also pushed me to critically evaluate existing research and seek out answers to questions I hadn’t thought to ask before. As a bonus, we examined our own sleep habits, and I walked away feeling much more well-rested.

As a nod to the liberal arts experience, a class that surprised me was History of Childhood with Professor Fernandez-Fontecha. Here, I had the freedom to explore an avenue of childhood and society I found interesting, so I applied it to pediatrics and healthcare. Understanding societal perspectives behind delivering care to children was really meaningful and made me more empathetic to my future patients, but also to myself as a future clinician. Professor Fernandez-Fontecha encouraged thoughtful discussion, and I got to learn from classmates with very different majors all engaging the same topic.

Which faculty or staff member had the most impact on you, and what did you learn from them (either inside or outside the classroom)?

The hallmark of my W&L academic experiences was building relationships with so many brilliant professors who were willing to support my academic journey. To name a few, Dr. Erich Uffelman has been a steady mentor and friend despite the fact that I’ve never taken a class from him. He was quick to encourage my volleyball teammates and me before every match, engage in great conversations and offer strategies to be successful in my chemistry classes. Dr. Bob Stewart challenged me in multiple neuroscience courses to be a creative problem solver and to be willing to not always know the answer but seek it out. Outside of the sciences, Professor Jay Margalus opened my eyes to creativity in a changing world through his excitement and willingness to support students in his entrepreneurship courses.

What were some key organizations/clubs/activities you were involved in at W&L and how did they shape your W&L experience?

Undeniably, my favorite piece of my W&L experience was being a member of the women’s volleyball team. I was lucky enough to share a locker room with so many people who made my day better, inspired me to be kinder, pushed me to be a better athlete and person, made me laugh, stood by me in difficult moments and achieved incredible things in our time together. The W&L volleyball program is truly special, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be a General.

I am also thankful for my time as a member of Kathekon, the alumni-student service organization on campus. Here, I had the opportunity to serve and participate in events connecting students and alumni. Spending time at events with people who found so much value in their W&L experience was incredibly meaningful.

What internships or other summer experiences did you partake in, and how did those experiences shape you and your career plans?

I had three incredible internships during my summers in college that created and solidified my path toward becoming a physical therapist. After my first year, I worked at an outpatient sports performance physical therapy clinic where I discovered my love for longitudinal care and restoring confidence in movement. The next summer, I interned with the human performance team at the Carolina Panthers during their OTAs (organized team activities) and mandatory mini-camp, learning from so many incredible clinicians about what it looks like to deliver high-quality care in a high-stakes environment. After my junior year, I worked at Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital in a neurological setting supporting brain specialists, spinal cord specialists and oncology specialists. I loved this setting because I got to apply my neuroscience studies in real time and support transformational healing journeys.

Across three distinct settings, I solidified my passion for physical therapy and neurology, and I learned to be empathetic and professional in ways W&L had readily prepared me for.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

The Career and Professional Development Office was a steady, supportive presence throughout my time at W&L. I worked closely with Brittany Carr who supported me with such intentionality while navigating my prerequisites, refining my personal statement, walking through every step of the application cycle and celebrating every exciting moment in between. I also met with many others in the CPD office as I considered my various interests. Brooke Peccie and Dean Molly Steele were instrumental in helping me explore all career paths available to me.

Did you connect with alumni during your time at W&L? How did they help you on your path? 

The alumni network at W&L has been a crucial part of my professional journey. Because so few W&L students pursue physical therapy, I leaned heavily on those who had navigated this path before me, particularly Brynne Gould ’21 and Louisa Bynum ’24. Their willingness to share advice and answer my endless questions has been genuinely meaningful. Their encouragement gave me confidence at moments when I needed it most, and I look forward to offering that same support to younger W&L students one day.

What’s been one of your favorite experiences over the last four years?

Among many incredible experiences, I am so thankful that I decided to jump on a plane and spend four weeks in Seville, Spain, for Spring Term my junior year. There, I studied Spanish and art history with Professor Bailey and partook in the most enriching academic experience of my W&L career. This experience was very full circle because I had taken Spanish classes since I was in sixth grade, and going into college, I promised myself I would study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country as a culmination of my Spanish studies. I travelled throughout Spain, saw so many incredible historical sights, took way too many pictures, tried lots of new foods, said yes to every opportunity and left with so many amazing friends. We truly had the adventure of a lifetime!

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment is my personal growth in my four years at W&L! I came in a very nervous first-year but leave with more confidence, maturity, professionalism and joy for life than I could have ever expected. In my time at W&L, my volleyball team and I made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, which was incredibly special. Additionally, I got to speak in front of a group of W&L alumni and philanthropists at an event last fall, which is something I never would have expected. I’m also proud of my physical therapy school application process and the confidence I gained to achieve such a meaningful milestone. Overall, I’m proud of the person I’ve become and thankful for the people who supported me each step of the way.

How has studying the liberal arts at W&L shaped how you see the world?

Studying the liberal arts has opened my eyes to many new perspectives and leaves me with a strong toolkit of skills I can take into any setting. Despite being a science major, I took courses in the Williams School, took additional Spanish courses and studied abroad in Spain, loved a philosophy class I took senior year and took a history class I really enjoyed. Taking a wide range of classes allowed me to collaborate with people with a variety of interests and engage in rich conversations. It’s a gift we have so readily available, and it has equipped me to take on a new angle, learn a new skill with confidence and collaborate with other professionals down the road.

What advice would you give to next year’s graduating class?

Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled! You are well equipped with skills, knowledge and relationships that will take you exactly where you want to go. Your W&L education will take you great places both from the strength in the name and the effectiveness of the skills you’ve gained. W&L is shaping you into a wonderful version of yourself, so enjoy every moment!