Laura Edwards

By Victoria Williams
If you have discipline, drive, and determination, nothing is impossible. Laura Edwards finds motivation in taking on new challenges. On top of a rigorous course load, she is a student athlete team captain and student organization leader. Her favorite experience as a DePaul student athlete was attending the DePaul University Athletics Student Immersion Trip to San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic. 
In June of 2018, DePaul University Athletics collaborated with NPH USA to provide students with an international service immersion opportunity. Laura not only volunteered during this experience but she also created digital content for the DePaul Athletics website and social media platforms. 
Laura and nine other student-athletes stayed at the NPH home for a week, participated in service, and developed a connection with the children of the NPH home. They assisted with cooking, cleaning and gardening to help with daily home assignments. They also helped dig dirt to set the foundation for a disabilities home to increase accessibility to children in wheelchairs. Then to help on a larger scale, the student-athletes created containers for the homes recycling and garbage area to continue the sustainability program. 

Digital Investment Associate at OMD USA

BA Public Relations and Advertising 2019

“Through my service, I gained a connection to the culture and children of the Dominican Republic, making this trip my most memorable experience at DePaul. I was instantly reminded of why I chose DePaul University.”

“I chose DePaul because I knew I would have the opportunity to experience the reality of the world and make an impact.”

Laura also learned about the issue of racism implemented in policies, and the barriers people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti face. One of the many outcomes was children struggling to gain citizenship while losing their families to poverty and abandonment. This experience showed Laura the different levels of poverty and oppression in the world. 
As NPH strives to provide access for the children to gain a college education, the government unfortunately still limits them. This reality encouraged Laura to research international poverty and the lack of equal opportunities in a global context.   
“These children’s lack of opportunity make me grateful for my own opportunities at DePaul University. I chose DePaul because I knew I would have the opportunity to experience the reality of the world and make an impact.”
On DePaul’s campus, you can find Laura serving her community and leading in athletics and beyond. As the Women’s Track and Field team captain, Laura facilitates communication and coordinates community service, recruitment and team building events. She is also a Marketing Intern at Artfinix, Co-Director of Public Relations for the Black Student Union, and a member of the Tau Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.