When Laila Tosi ’26 boarded a plane from Anchorage, Ak., to Reading, Pa., to attend Alvernia University in 2022, little did she know that she would land an internship in Las Vegas in 2025.
The accounting major and student-athlete spent her summer as a community relations intern with the Las Vegas Raiders, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to connect a professional sports team to its fans and city. She embodied Alvernia’s core values of service, humility and collegiality every step of the way.
“My role was to help wherever I could,” said Tosi. “I worked at events, served as a liaison between athletes and the public, helped plan outreach programs, attended partner conferences, and even created giveaway packages. Every day was different, and I loved it.”
With that, this opportunity wasn’t just a résumé booster for Tosi. She was able to apply her coursework directly in the field through classes like Writing in the Workplace taught by Professor Christopher Shipley. Tosi shared that it helped her adjust her communication to different audiences which helped when she was corresponding with a variety of constituents in her role.
Tosi also leaned on the advice of her former accounting professor, Steven Love. She shared that his emphasis on personability and how it complements professionalism helped her build meaningful connections during the internship.
While most days in Las Vegas were unforgettable, Tosi said her most meaningful experiences came through community service with the Back-to-School Haircuts and Styling Initiative at the forefront of her mind.
“We held an event with games, school supplies, and about 20 players who came out to hang with the kids. That one hit home for me,” said Tosi. “I grew up as a ‘foundation kid’ with the Scotty Gomez Foundation, so being on the other side, helping give back, was a full-circle moment.”
Another one of her proudest accomplishments from the internship was helping launch a new initiative to send American flags flown at the Raiders’ headquarters to military personnel. She shared that being involved in launching an impactful project that would continue after she left the role was exciting.
The internship also tested her resilience.
“One moment I’ll never forget is getting the call that my brother passed while I was at work,” she said. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But the people I worked with showed up for me in ways I’ll never be able to properly thank them for.”
Back in Reading, she has found the same support in her Golden Wolves Women’s Ice Hockey team, which she calls her second family.
“Being so far from home, they’ve always been there for me, especially during tough times,” said Tosi.
Head coach Josh Brandwene confirmed that Tosi’s embodiment of Alvernia’s values extends to the rink as well.
“Laila is the ultimate servant leader in our hockey program,” he said. “She is fully dedicated to her teammates on and off the ice. She never seeks the spotlight and focuses on helping others become the best they can be.”
In the classroom, Tosi finds her coursework coming alive through her experiences.
“In Sports Economics and Strategic Management, I’ve been able to connect what I’m learning to situations I experienced firsthand with the Raiders,” she said. “It’s been cool to see the overlap between what I’m learning and what I’ve lived.”
Her ultimate career goal is to stay in community relations.
“Growing up, I saw firsthand how much community programs and outreach can impact kids,” she said. “Being able to do that for the next generation is what I want my career to be about.”
