From athletics to academics, Jonathan Edwards ’09 is reading people’s minds. Edwards, a native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and a Cypress Bay High School graduate, finished a four-year career as a defensive end for the football team and is a psychology major. 

“We know little about the brain and it is so interesting because psychology affects us every day,” Edwards says.  “Understanding psychology opened up my eyes to be able to better understand people and to look at ideas from multiple perspectives.”  

Edwards is a McNair scholar at SLU.  He explains that McNair scholars are African- American, Native American or Hispanic and have overcome obstacles in their lives.  He added that these minorities are “underrepresented at the college and graduate school level. So being a McNair student means challenging yourself to do the unexpected,” Edwards says.  “You have to create a path for others like you to follow as a leader and role model.”

Edwards has particularly done research in sport psychology.  He has created a developmental model that helps explain the choice for athletes to use or not use steroids.  With the help of his advisor, Prof. Cheryl Stuntz, he presented his research at the University of Buffalo. “My listeners were impressed by the research and enjoyed the presentation,” he says.

Edwards is also a Presidential Diversity Scholar.  He is a member of the Black Student Union, as well as the Reading Tutor Program. 

“I plan to attend graduate school for educational leadership,” Edwards said.  “I hope one day to be a high school principal so that I can give back to many high school kids and encourage them to attend college.”