SOFIA RUIZ Hometown: Belleville, NJ College: P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science Major: Chemical Engineering Why did you choose Lehigh? What excites me about Lehigh is the great number of opportunities available for students in different areas such as research and internships. For example, this summer I had the opportunity to choose from the Hatchery Program, Mountaintop research, STEM-SI research, and more while being just a rising sophomore! Moreover, the strong connections with alumni and the resources available to students, such as the career center and the tutoring center. What is your favorite class or subject? The course that currently excites me is the Creative Inquiry class I took over the spring and will be continuing during the fall. This course has allowed me to learn a lot about starting from an idea and actually implementing it. In this course, I am working on improving nutrition in Sierra Leone, and through that, I am learning about all the different aspects that can affect our idea (making micronutrient-rich sweet potato muffins) as we try to implement it in Sierra Leone. Not only am I creating a real impact, but I am also learning about the process and all the things that are important to consider. Interests outside the classroom: I am part of two dance clubs at Lehigh: Belly Dancing and Tumbao. I also love to hike, volunteer, ice-skate, spend time with my friends, and paint at Lehigh After Dark events. A message from Sofia: Thank you so much for believing in my dream to receive a great education. Being a first-generation, low-income minority going to an out-of-state university is challenging in many ways. Thanks to you and your support, there is one less burden I have to worry about. Without scholarships and financial aid, I would not be able to attend Lehigh and take advantage of all the different opportunities and resources it has to offer. These opportunities will not only help me advance my education but will also help me grow as an individual. Favorite Lehigh tradition Marching 97 EcoFlame, Chicken Finger Friday, and Bed Races.
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