Valedictorian: Sophia Loukides, BA '22

Name: Sophia Loukides
Hometown: Duanesburg, NY
Major: Public Policy and Administration with a dual concentration in Human Services and Environmental Policy
Awards: Valedictorian for the Department of Public Administration and Policy (Spring 2022), UAlbany Dean's List for Distinguished Students (Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021) 

What activities were you involved in during your time at UAlbany?

I was a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed community service fraternity, which hosted activities such as canned food drives, letters sent to nursing homes and troops, and fundraisers for various organizations. I was also a member of UAlbany's Democracy Matters Association. Our mission is to teach young people how to be effective grassroots organizers and activists and to support election campaign financing and other pro-democracy and campaign finance reforms. Additionally I was a member of Tau Sigma, a national honor society for transfer students. I was lucky to be a part of these three organizations we offer at UAlbany. They center around leadership, activism, and community service, which are three key pillars in my life. 

What were some highlight experiences of your undergraduate career?

My courses and peers were the highlight of my experience during my time as an undergrad. I am a transfer student and by the time I started my Public Policy degree, I had already completed my general education requirements, so I started policy courses once I became a student at UAlbany. I enjoyed learning about the policy process, organizational strategies businesses utilize, and how to use different software programs to complete an array of tasks. What drew me to my peers was their work ethic and personalities. They possess a mix of determination to succeed and learn, while still finding time to hang out, relax, and enjoy their time in undergrad. I needed help finding that balance of work and relaxation, and my friends in Rockefeller College helped me find it. They inspired me to go beyond what was being asked of us as students and apply what we learn in our courses to the real world. They would draw similarities between our lessons and current events, which helped me learn to do the same thing. It can be daunting to transfer to a new school that was much bigger than my previous institution. I was very lucky to have encountered some great people along the way.

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of receiving the Valedictorian title for my Department in Rockefeller College. Once I started my undergraduate degree, I realized how important school was to me and that the coursework deserves to be taken seriously. I gained new skills throughout this time that is reflected in the work I have produced. I admire all the students, professors, and faculty within Rockefeller College and to be recognized by them as a valedictorian is something I will always be proud of.

What is next for you after graduation?

After graduation I plan on beginning my career in my field. I hope to work in higher education, public health, or an environmental policy field. In the near future, I plan on attending graduate school to further my studies in the public policy field.