Sophia Faacks

University of St. Thomas

Sophia Faacks truly embodies St. Thomas’ commitment to advancing the common good. She grew up in a south Minneapolis community where social justice, equity and inclusion were central values. Within her family, environmentalism always played a key role: it was, she says, understood that “in order to thrive, there must be a balance and a respect for the earth.” Through South High School’s environment club, Sophia became involved with a group called iMatter. With other young people from Minneapolis, she wrote, introduced and passed a climate inheritance resolution encouraging their city to adopt a goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. They designed their resolution with an eye toward helping marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Desiring a greater impact, Sophia then began a youth group that worked with state representatives to write and introduce the first state “Green New Deal” bill, which, unlike the national resolution, is legally binding and includes a fossil fuel moratorium. On campus, Sophia is a member of Tommie Ambassadors and our Civic Engagement, Voter Education & Advocacy Task Force. She continues to work for an equitable path to climate justice and looks forward to connecting with other student leaders throughout our nation.

Julie Sullivan
President
University of St. Thomas

Personal Statement

I grew up in a community where social justice, equity, and inclusion were central values, so throughout my childhood these values were discussed and practiced all around me. Within my family, environmentalism has always played a key role - an understanding that in order to thrive, there must be balance and a respect for the earth. Through my high school’s environmental club I got involved with a group called iMatter and along with other young people in Minneapolis wrote, introduced, and passed a climate inheritance resolution committing Minneapolis to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 in a way that helps the marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Wanting to have a bigger impact, I then started a youth group that worked with state representatives to write and introduce the first state Green New Deal bill, which unlike the national resolution is legally binding and includes a fossil fuel moratorium. On campus, I am part of our voting task force, working to educate students on voting and get them out to vote. I can’t wait to continue working for an equitable path to climate justice and work with and learn from so many amazing student leaders from all around the country!

Sophia Faacks
Civil Engineering: Class of 23-May
written 2021

2021 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Salma Yajaira Gómez Pineda, Universidad de Monterrey Daniel Khoshkepazi, University of Baltimore Mansi Seth, University of California Berkeley Emma Davis, University of Central Arkansas Victoria Orindas Corcino, University of Central Florida Sai Reddy, University of Cincinnati Areyana Janae-Andrea Proctor, University of Colorado Boulder Irene Soteriou, University of Connecticut Ryan Greensfelder, University of Dayton Nicole Kennedy, University of Delaware Jenny Truong, University of Denver Miguel Garcia, University of Houston-Downtown Courtney Washington, University of Illinois at Chicago Celena Zacchai, University of Maine at Augusta Brandon Reed, University Of Maine at Farmington Callie Jordan, University of Mary Washington Ayotomiwa Fashola, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Faith Davis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Gifty Kessie, University of Massachusetts Lowell Ian Malesiewski, University of Miami Isabella DeArmitt, University of Missouri-St. Louis Mia McKinney, University of Montana Allison Hrovat, University of Mount Union Vanessa Chavez Jurado, University of Nebraska at Omaha Lauren Martin, University of North Carolina Charlotte Justin Bray, University of North Georgia Jerrell Bates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlyn Cano, University of Notre Dame Anjali Mishra, University of Oregon Alisa Ghura, University of Pennsylvania Brianna Silva, University of Richmond Kapri Tulang-De Silva, University of San Diego Jada Curry, University of San Francisco Daniela Isaza, University of South Carolina Upstate Sophia Faacks, University of St. Thomas Hannah Beauchamp-Pope, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Beth Allen, University of Wisconsin-Madison Alisson Anguiano Salas, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Jessica Smith, University of Wisconsin-Superior
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