As a social worker, Katelyn (Franklin) Laidlaw ’16 is using experiences she gained during her time at Midland University to help other people.

Katelyn is an Outpatient Therapist at Michigan Psychological Care in Jackson, Michigan. She works with children, teens, and adults with multiple diagnoses of mental health and helps them navigate their challenges with healthier skills to help them manage their most stressful moments in life.

“Midland gave me the avenues of being able to manage and handle life’s challenges. I was able to utilize my many experiences of being a college student, athlete, and performer in being able to help others and relate with them on life experiences.”

A native of Oakland, Nebraska, Katelyn wanted to dance in college and saw the opportunity with Midland and then coach Trish Ryan. She was part of the Warrior Wildfire dance team that won the 2015 NDA Collegiate National Championship.

Along with being part of a national championship team, Katelyn recalls hanging out with friends in Beegle Hall as being some of her fondest memories, along with meeting her husband (Dylan) during her senior year.

“What I enjoyed most about Midland was the small college feel and being able to get to know everyone and have multiple opportunities to get involved beyond competing in a sport.”

Katelyn graduated with a masters in Social Work in 2021. She has been a limited license social worker for the past three years and is working toward her full license. In her free time, she enjoys camping, spending time with her pets, going to concerts with Dylan, being on the boat, and hunting.