Laila Edwards is a junior BSW major in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. She is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio and is a forward on the Badger Women’s Hockey Team. She has won various awards over her time as a player and played for the U.S. team at the IIHF Women’s World Championship in 2004 (earning silver). She was the first Black woman on the national team when she made her national team debut in the 2023-24 Rivalry Series, and received the USA Hockey Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2024.
We did a quick Q&A with Laila to learn more about her as a student, as well as an athlete:
Why did you choose to get a BSW?
I chose to get a BSW because I believe people with BSWs can do very meaningful and impactful work. I’ve always wanted to better the people around me and help them persevere in whatever areas they want and need to.
What do you like about the School of Social Work?
What I like about the School of Social Work is how applicable things are to the real world, through many different ways. The people in the School of Social Work are also great people. We all have the same goal of making the world a better place and helping people.
What do you want to use your degree for after school?
I’m not entirely sure what I want to use my degree for after school, but I do know I want to be helping people to my best ability. Whether that be some form of a social worker!
Find a short video Q&A linked here!