Commencement Spotlight: Laila Saulsberry

Commencement Spotlight: Laila Saulsberry, Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Future Plans: Master of Science in Accounting, University of Maryland, College Park

Laila Saulsberry, a 21-year-old native of McDonough, Georgia, will graduate on May 9 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Albany State University College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies. 

Saulsberry’s time at Albany State has been marked by exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service. She served as President of the Accounting Club and Coordinator of the Political Actions Committee within the Student Government Association, while also holding membership in organizations such as the Velma Fudge Grant Honors Program, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, Georgia Society of CPAs, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She also represented the university as an Esteemed Holley Ambassador.

Her involvement extended to numerous leadership and professional development opportunities, including participation in the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute, the Strada HBCU Initiative Leadership Summit, KPMG HBCU Talent+, and the Georgia State University CIBER Case Competition.

Committed to service, Saulsberry completed more than 70 volunteer hours through organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Helping Mamas, the Student Government Association, and community initiatives like the Great American Cleanup and Ram Raid.

Saulsberry’s academic excellence has earned her numerous honors, including being named the highest-ranked sophomore, junior, and senior in accounting, as well as receiving the Dean’s Award for the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies. She has also been awarded multiple prestigious scholarships, including the Deloitte HBCU Emerging Leaders Scholarship, the Strada Presidential Scholarship, and the Georgia Society of CPAs Scholarship.

Her professional experience includes multiple competitive internships and research roles, most notably with Deloitte, where she completed Discovery I and II internships and will serve as an Audit and Assurance intern in Summer 2026. She has also contributed to research exploring the financial sustainability of HBCUs.

Following graduation, Saulsberry has been accepted to the University of Maryland, College Park, where she will pursue a Master of Science in Accounting on a full-ride Deloitte Foundation Scholarship.

 

What motivated you to learn more about your field?
One of the most transformative academic experiences that shaped my interest in pursuing accounting and finance was my participation in INSPIRE U2, a summer research program at Spelman College. Through this experience, I learned how analytical tools can be used to examine institutional financial challenges. Discovering that HBCUs have at least 70 percent less endowment than their PWI counterparts compelled me to investigate systemic underfunding that restricts access to advanced facilities, competitive research opportunities, and financial aid. These disparities strengthened both my resilience and my sense of responsibility. Additionally, my E-Commerce business, SaulsStuffs, sparked my interest in financial frameworks as having a first-hand perspective into having a first-hand perspective into pricing strategies, inventory management, profit margins, and customer demand showed me how financial decisions directly influence growth and sustainability. Together, these experiences revealed to me that accounting and finance are not just about numbers, but about creating solutions, expanding opportunity, and driving long-term impact.

Why did you choose ASU?
I chose Albany State because it was an HBCU that wasn’t too close to home, but also not too far. When first embarking on my college search, I prioritized smaller schools over larger ones with huge populations of students. After touring Albany State’s campus and engaging with students, I came to realize that the “Ramily” is where I wanted to be.

 

What do you love most about your chosen profession?
One thing I love the most about the accounting field is how broad it is. I feel as if a lot of people have a misconception, or even a skewed perspective as to what accounting actually entails. Some people assume that accounting only involves sedentary desk work and endless math problems, but in reality, accounting transcends far beyond excel sheets and arithmetic.

Who has made the biggest impact on you, and who do you consider to be a role model at ASU?
My grandma has made a significant impact on the person I am today. She’s someone who portrays traits such as leadership, integrity, ambition, and optimism which are things I strive to embody. The little things she does mean a lot, and the lesson’s she has taught me through her drive and resilience. She is also a seasoned entrepreneur, which has inspired me to pursue my own personal business ventures from an early age.

 

What are you passionate about outside of your education?
I love exploring my curiosity and creativity through different avenues such as thrifting and upcycling clothes, exploring holistic remedies, cooking, engaging with music, and trying new hobbies.

What advice would you give to other ASU students?
I would let other ASU students, or prospective students even, know how lifechanging getting involved is on campus, and better yet build a rapport with professors. As an incoming freshman, the thought of joining organizations was a bit scary at first, but I had to learn that it takes being uncomfortable and adapting to your environment to become comfortable. As an underclassman, I had to do a lot of things “scared” despite the fear of doing so. Even something as simple as going up to a professor and introducing yourself can present opportunities that I would’ve never imagined pursuing. By getting involved on campus, staying curious, and exposing yourself to new people and experiences, you will not only realize your potential, boost your confidence, but also open doors for your ambitions and dreams.

What would you say to a high school student about choosing ASU to further their education?
I already serve as a Holley Ambassador, so I interact with prospective students pretty often. However, I would share my journey with a high school student interested in ASU because there is a good chance that they could be in the same boat I was once in, and I want to prove to them that greatness is always attainable as long as you are proactive and consistent.