Drew Edelman is graduating with a Master's in the Department of Education with an emphasis in child and adolescent development, and an interdisciplinary emphasis in cognitive science. Edelman also plays for the UCSB Gaucho basketball team. In UCSB athletics, one of the most prestigious honors is the Golden Eagle Ring, presented annually by Peter Jordano to the UCSB athlete with the highest grade-point average. Edelman, with a 3.96 GPA in her graduate studies, was the female ring winner for two straight years.
GGSE: Do you have a favorite GGSE memory?
Edelman: One of my favorite GGSE memories was taking Sue Johnson's undergraduate course on teaching science to middle schoolers. We participated in a lot of fun exercises that were easy to teach students and brought back memories of how fun and interesting science was at that age.
GGSE: What are your plans after graduation?
Edelman: In September, I'm traveling to Ramat HaSharon in Israel (close to Tel Aviv) to play professional basketball. I'll be playing for a 6-month season, and then I will probably continue to travel!
GGSE: In what ways have your athletic and academic careers influenced each other?
Edelman: My whole experience in GGSE was based around previous and current athletic experiences. I was able to break coaching and playing down to a science, which I had never done before. Before practice, I would learn about how to more efficiently develop skills and be a better teammate, and then I was able to go practice it out on the court.
GGSE: What advance would you give to other student athletes?
Edelman: I would tell other student athletes to make sure they're passionate about what they're learning, because you won't be an athlete forever and now is the time to discover what you love to learn about! Your sport could last past college, but it's important to discover your true interests while your degree is potentially being paid for and you don't have to worry about finding a career.