Inspiring Graduate: Sophia Moore (’25)
- Hometown: Red Wing, Minnesota
- Degrees: B.S. Applied Social Science
- Concentration: History & Politics
- Minors: Psychology and Conflict Resolution & Nonviolence Leadership
Sophia Moore knew from a very young age that she wanted to work in public policy and law. With her passion, she pursued an applied social science degree at UW-Stout, and she became an advocate for student voices.
Moore served as a student senator for the Stout Student Association, later becoming a vice chair and then director of Legislative Affairs. She was a civic engagement student lead at the university’s Involvement Center, a student orientation leader for incoming first-year students, and sat on several committees, all charged with maintaining a student-driven campus, including the Student Retention Committee.
“Our campus is uniquely full of leadership opportunities, and our faculty and staff are so incredibly helpful in equipping you with the skills needed to become a great leader,” Moore said.
For her on-campus leadership, service, and involvement, Moore received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university’s highest nonacademic honor for students. She also received the Alec Kirby Memorial Award for Leadership in Social Justice, was named a 2025 Outstanding Student Leader of the Year, and was awarded the Tommy G. Thompson Leadership Scholarship, sponsored by the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.
Moore, of Red Wing, Minnesota, earned her B.S. in applied social science and crossed the commencement stage on Dec. 20 as one of 527 UW-Stout graduates, and served as commencement speaker for the College of Art and Human Sciences. She is applying for several congressional internships in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
“While my goal is to progress into legislature and public policy, I have interest in some policy-driven nonprofits in Minnesota,” said Moore, who chose UW-Stout because it was close to home and for its affordability.
How do you hope to make an impact in your field?
I hope to make an impact in my field in the same way I have done it here. There is no doubt in my mind that I made a difference on our campus. I hope to bring all the skills I have learned through being a campus leader in the vastly expanding job market.
People have yet to fully understand that most of the issues we face in day-to-day life stem from policy decisions made by the people we elect, and being a leading figure in changing legislation and voting outcomes for the betterment of our communities is such a passion of mine.
How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
I think humanities majors have a very different experience of the polytechnic advantage than the majority of majors at Stout. Meaning, I had very little time utilizing labs in my major, but instead Stout has allowed me to grow stronger in developing qualitative and quantitative research.
My major also does not require an internship to graduate, but that did not stop me from obtaining one. I interned for AmeriCorps Summer Impact Corps as a Housing Stability Fellow at a local advocacy center and domestic violence and homeless shelter.
This internship was life-changing for me and taught me the inner work for nonprofit organizations and the importance of community engagement and legislation regarding social welfare programs.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
The faculty and staff at this institution are singlehandedly responsible for my success in my time here. Stout quickly began to feel like home because of the connections and relationships I have been able to build.
Having a community of people rooting for your success not only gets you to the finish line, with the confidence to keep going even after you leave. Each of my professors knows me; they know what I need to succeed the best, what I enjoy and what I hate, not because I just willingly share all those details but because they take it upon themselves to get to know each of their students. This makes for such a comfortable environment tailored for success.
How did your involvement in campus impact your experience?
Campus involvement was my entire experience. In my time at Stout, I have had the amazing opportunity of working in our campus Involvement Center, hosting events that impact large groups of students every week.
I was in student government, the Stout Student Association, for three years, which completely enhanced my academic career and my future career in public service. I have won more than five different awards and four scholarships, all outlining my success in student leadership on campus.
Without these experiences, I would not be the person I am today. Being able to interact with students and community members from all walks of life has been such a guiding experience within my academic major and life.
What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?
Like many students who attend Stout, I am low income and first generation, which comes with a lot of challenges regarding successfully navigating a four-year institution. A lot of my free time outside of student organizations or coursework was spent working to make a living while in college.
At one point, I was balancing four jobs on and off campus to stay afloat. What truly helped me and made my time here easier were Foundation Scholarships, taking a major financial burden off my shoulders.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
I am most proud of the person I have become. I came to this school with a “just get by” mindset, taking a bare minimum approach from high school and assuming it would get me to graduation. I quickly realized this attitude would get me nowhere, as I spent days in my dorm with nothing to show for myself.
Becoming involved in our university is where I found real joy and happiness, changing the trajectories of students who were once where I started and getting them confident in becoming leaders themselves.
I am also very proud of the coursework I have done, witnessing tremendous growth in my writing and research.
