Sophia Zhukovsky '22
BA Political Science and Enviromental Humanities
Where are you originally from?
Stony Brook, New York
Why Stony Brook?
I applied because it was close by, but I decided to go because I was excited by all
of the opportunities that I would have, including immersing myself fully in the community,
both academically and socially. At Admitted Students Day, I got to know some students
and faculty in the Political Science Department and instantly saw myself being a part
of it. There was something special about the people that really drew me to the school.
On her major/minor:
I am a double major in political science and environmental humanities, with a minor
in international studies. I’ve always been interested in politics and civics so my
first major was a natural choice. But, I felt like something was missing. In one of
my introductory classes for POL, we discussed the ability of the international community
to tackle challenges such as climate change, and I became interested in environmental
policy. A year in, I came across environmental humanities at a major/minor fair and
felt like it was meant to be because I could explore environmental issues from a social
lens. Having the dual major allowed me to more fully explore issues at the intersections
of my interests in politics and sustainability. Lastly, I got to immerse myself in
international case studies through my international studies minor.
Favorite class?
One of my favorite classes was Women Islam and Political Change in Africa with Professor
Adryan Wallace because it was absolutely fascinating. We covered such a diverse array
of case studies and topics on issues I had never engaged with before prior to the
class and had really thought-provoking in-class discussions. Dr. Wallace really cares
about her students and pushes them in a way that encourages them to get the most out
of the class. It was a truly valuable educational experience.
Interests and accomplishments:
I love experiencing live music and entertainment, so I’m a huge concert-goer. At any
given moment, I have tickets or plans for an upcoming concert. I’m also pretty active,
and love strength training and going on walks and hikes on a regular basis. And of
course, I’m an avid traveler! I’ve been to about 18 countries, including studying
abroad twice while at Stony Brook. Because of my passion for international affairs,
seeing the world has always been a huge priority for me.
I’m part of the Stony Brook University Food Recovery Network, an organization dedicated
to reducing food waste and hunger by recovering unserved food from campus dining and
donating it to local organizations. I’m also a member of the Environmental Club, a
great club for everyone interested in sustainability on campus. Off-campus, I worked
for four consecutive years as a staff member for the world’s largest Model United
Nations conference for high school students.
In terms of academics, I’m a student in the Honors College and I’m a part of the Political
Science Honors Society. I have worked as a research assistant in both the Political
Science Department and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and recently
completed my senior thesis on climate activism and policy in US cities. I’m also a
member of the President’s Council of Student Advisors.
Greatest achievement?
I think my greatest achievement over the past four years has been my personal growth.
I am who I am now because of the people I’ve met, the subjects I’ve studied, and the
experiences I’ve had, and I’m extremely grateful for all of it. I am proud of everything
I’ve accomplished and the ways I’ve matured, and I can’t wait to take everything I’ve
learned with me into my future endeavors.
Awards & Accolades:
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Undergraduate Recognition Award for Academic
Excellence, Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, Campus Nominee
for Marshall Scholarship, and Dean’s List recipient for every semester at Stony Brook
Plans for post-graduation:
I will be pursuing my master’s in Earth Sciences at VU Amsterdam, with a concentration
in Global Environmental Change and Policy.
Career aspirations:
I hope to pursue a career as an environmental policy advisor or analyst, whether in
a private or government capacity.
Advice for future Seawolves?
Involve yourself as much as you can! Explore new interests, study new subjects, and
get to know new people. You never know what's out there for you, and you don’t want
to deny yourself the chance to have really meaningful experiences. To that end, school
is important, but you aren’t defined by your grades, and there’s more to life than
your GPA. Study hard, but don’t let college pass you by!