ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½

As a first-generation college student, my education has always been very important to me.

Choosing to move far from my home in Missouri to take on this next chapter was difficult and often terrifying. However, as a senior, I look back and am so proud of every experience that has led me to be the woman I have become while here at Hofstra. I was once shy, extremely indecisive, and fearful of the future. Now, four years later, I see myself as a strong, highly educated woman, confident in her abilities.

In addition to my studies at Hofstra, I’ve been actively involved in an honors fraternity, a sorority, clubs, theater and film productions, and much more. I’ve gained experience in acting, directing, writing, camera work, editing, audio production, costume construction, stage management, dance, and dramaturgy. I also had the incredible opportunity to participate in the American Pavilion Worldwide Student Program at the Cannes International Film Festival, where I created digital content, attended premieres, and screened one of my own short documentary films.

Along with this, I have an on-campus job and hold an executive board position in Alpha Psi Omega, the theater fraternity, where I have worked to continue connecting the theater and film departments.

I often look back on what I’ve done and learned while at Hofstra and am extremely grateful. Being able to work on so many different projects and hold so many positions is a special opportunity that Hofstra offers. With this, I not only feel qualified, but also extremely excited to graduate and apply what I’ve learned in my career.

My advice to incoming ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½: Advocate for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities. Remember, you can do anything. I believe in you!

Her growth since then has been both steady and expansive.

Within The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Sophia found a particular passion for screenwriting under Professor Russell Harbaugh. Her senior capstone is a feature-length screenplay blending science fiction and family drama, examining questions of time, mortality, and choice.

Sophia broadened her experience internationally through the American Pavilion (AmPav) Worldwide Student Program at the annual Cannes International Film Festival. AmPav is the hospitality and communications hub for the thousands of Americans attending Cannes. While serving on the social media team, Sophia created digital content, attended premieres, and even screened one of her short documentary films during the student showcase – an achievement that affirmed her place in the industry she hopes to join.

In the Drama Department, Sophia has performed in mainstage productions, including Guys and Dolls and, this spring, in a featured role in the play Dog Sees God. Behind the scenes, she explored directing, dramaturgy, choreography, stage management, and costume construction. All these experiences have strengthened her versatility.