Layna Crofts' diverse career and extensive life experiences have encompassed roles as a social worker, mother of six, foster mother, investigator, leader, and advocate for the vulnerable. These multifaceted experiences have not only refined her advocacy skills but also closely align with the core values and mission of social work. Currently, Layna is pursuing a PhD with the goal of effecting meaningful change in the world.
Her proven track record includes successfully managing businesses, overseeing complex caseloads, ensuring policy adherence, and achieving significant outcomes. These accomplishments, coupled with her ability to perform effectively under pressure and in collaborative settings, highlight her preparedness for advanced academic and professional challenges. Layna’s transition from private investigation to social work reflects her unwavering commitment to community service and individual support.
Layna Crofts' philosophy centers on the belief that transformative change arises from empathy, advocacy, hard work, and the empowerment of individuals. She asserts that effective social work involves not only addressing immediate needs but also fostering long-term well-being through holistic and client-centered approaches. By integrating her experiences as a social worker, businesswoman, artist, and community advocate, Layna highlights the significance of creative expression and personalized support in nurturing personal growth and resilience. Her approach is rooted in the conviction that every individual has inherent strength and potential, and that social workers should act as facilitators of this potential, guiding clients toward self-empowerment and meaningful change. Layna is committed to fighting for the underdog and doing what is right, even if it means standing alone. This philosophy fuels her dedication to creating inclusive and supportive environments where every person can thrive.
How the University of Denver's MSW Program Failed ME
By Layna Crofts
After three years of rigorous study, over 500 hours of fieldwork, straight-A grades, (well one B) and glowing supervisor reviews, I should have graduated with my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2025. Instead, I was expelled in secret—without a hearing, without a voice, and without justice.
I entered the MSW@Denver program as a nontraditional student: a 53-year-old mother of six, a private investigator, a small business owner, and a lifelong advocate for marginalized communities. I came into this program with decades of lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep passion for trauma-informed social work. But what I encountered at DU was not support. It was systemic obstruction, discrimination, and retaliation.
💥 What Happened
⚖️The Legal Violations
DU’s actions weren’t just unethical—they were illegal. They violated:
Despite multiple attempts to work within their system, DU obstructed every solution, even falsely promising to file an internal Title IX or ADA complaint on my behalf for me -which they never did.
📢 Why It Matters
The University of Denver’s online MSW program markets itself as flexible, inclusive, and trauma-informed. But for students like me—older, outspoken, disabled, or whistleblowers—the experience can be anything but. My story is not unique. Predatory online MSW programs are a growing concern in social work education, prioritizing tuition over training, compliance over compassion.
🛑 My Call to Action
I am demanding:
I have filed complaints with federal and state agencies, licensing boards, accreditation bodies, and consumer protection agencies. If DU refuses to make this right, I will not stop until this injustice is fully exposed.
This isn’t just about me—it’s about protecting the future of social work and the students who come after me.
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