Arnika Edwards, M.Ed., MBA

I attribute my success to understanding my purpose and living within it. For so long, I ran from what I was called to do. People told me when I was very young that I would be doing exactly what I'm doing right now - that I'd be a great coach, a great athletic director, a great teacher - and I was like, nope, don't want to do that. I had my own plans. I thought I was going to be a data analyst. I was a cryptanalyst for the Department of Defense. But everything that I was trying to orchestrate and make happen for myself did not happen, for one reason or another. And all the things that I feel I'm meant to do, that are within my purpose, were pretty much just handed to me. Now, the older I get, I truly understand the value of living within your purpose. Once you figure out what you are here to do, why you are here on Earth, and what you are called to do, then it makes your life so much easier and clearer. I learned how to ride in that backseat, just like Miss Daisy, and I let God take the wheel. I fought it for so long in so many different things that I was trying to do, and none of it was fulfilling. But now I feel like I'm finally at this point where God has shown me the right way, and I've become accepting of it. Every day that I walk into the office, I know what my job is, I know what my purpose is, and it's not so much about data or the quantity of people that you touch - it's the fact that you have touched someone and you've made a difference in someone's life. I might see 40 people a day and only make a difference in one person's life. That's what matters to me, that's what I'm called to do.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that success comes from answering your calling and staying true to your purpose, rather than chasing titles or expectations. I’ve experienced this firsthand, beginning my career as a coach where I felt called to develop and uplift student-athletes, and continuing that same purpose as I transitioned into collegiate athletics and now serve as an Assistant Athletic Director. Each step has reinforced that when you operate in alignment with your purpose, opportunities, growth, and fulfillment naturally follow.

My advice to young women entering this industry is that you can build a successful and deeply rewarding career if you stay committed to your purpose, remain open to learning, and trust your growth journey. Athletics and higher education are spaces where hard work, consistency, and relationship-building truly matter, and there will be moments that challenge you—but those moments also shape your leadership and resilience. Stay confident in your voice, seek out mentors, and don’t be afraid to take up space; your contribution is valuable, and your impact will grow as you continue to show up with intention and integrity.

The biggest challenges in today’s athletics and student-athlete development space are balancing the increasing demands on student-athletes while ensuring they are fully supported academically, personally, and professionally. At the same time, there is a tremendous opportunity to expand holistic development programs that prepare athletes for life beyond sport through intentional career readiness, mentorship, and leadership training. With years of experience in coaching and athletic administration at Stony Brook University and other institutions, I understand the level of commitment, structure, and consistency it takes to build successful programs and support student-athletes at a high level. That experience reinforces the importance of strong relationships, strategic programming, and creating environments where student-athletes can thrive on and off the field.

The most important value to me is making an impact and making a difference in someone's life. It's important to me to be impactful and to understand my purpose. Everything that I've done in my life has been based on what I'm called to do. Every day that I walk into the office, I know what my job is, I know what my purpose is, and it's not so much about data or the quantity of people that you touch - it's the fact that you have touched someone and you've made a difference in someone's life. I might see 40 people a day and only make a difference in one person's life. That's what matters to me, that's what I'm called to do. Understanding the impact that we make on someone else's life is what drives me. The reward of coaching isn't just what you do as a coach, but what the athletes do with their lives after that, and how impactful we are as coaches on their lives. That's probably the most rewarding piece of it.