Born and raised in Dayton, Texas, Jayla graduated from The University of Texas in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology & Health Education, majoring in Sports Management. During her undergraduate studies, she spent two summers studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, and Lausanne, Switzerland. In Cape Town, Jayla immersed herself in South African culture, studied urban development, and interned with YMCA-Athlone. In Lausanne, she gained exposure to international sports organizations and federations through facility visits and panel discussions in the Olympic capital. She used that experience to later serve as an Athletic Director for a youth sports organization in Austin, Texas, before earning her Juris Doctor and Certificate in Sports Law from the Tulane University School of Law.

While at Tulane Law, Jayla externed with the Sun Belt Conference’s compliance department, served in leadership roles with the Student Bar Association and Tulane University Legal Assistance Program. She competed on Tulane’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Moot Court team before later serving as head coach. As a competitor, she placed first in the Tulane Entertainment Negotiation Competition and third in the National Black Law Students Association’s Nelson Mandela International Negotiations Competition. In recognition of her oral advocacy and alternative dispute resolution skills, she received the Order of the Barristers award.

Outside of work, Jayla enjoys exercising, traveling, discovering new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on the Texas Longhorns!

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