An unwavering commitment to do good

Sarah Van Hook came to Virginia Tech with a heart for courageous leadership and a history of global service.

Sarah wrote, “I lived in Jordan during the height of the Syrian refugee crisis. My city of Amman felt it drastically. There, I established a direct line of donations between the American Embassy and various Syrian refugee camps. Whenever I think about what pivotal event made me want to pursue community service or humanitarian relief as a career, I always think back to that.”

As part of a military family, Sarah moved frequently. She gained an appreciation for different cultures and a desire to spread tolerance and help others.

Girl Scouts has recognized Sarah’s work with Syrian and Afghan refugee projects and for a documentary she produced for the organization on cultural and religious tolerance. She has earned some of the organization’s highest awards and was named the Nation’s Capital 2018 Young Woman of Distinction.

Sarah’s impressive resume also includes The Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She earned the award when she was just 13.

So, why Virginia Tech?

Although Sarah is clearly living a life of courageous leadership, she is building her Virginia Tech experience around honing her leadership skills and learning more about social change. And she is building in plenty of experiential service opportunities.

Sarah wrote, “Through Virginia Tech, I was able to volunteer with a nonprofit organization called Saha Global. I spent three weeks last summer in northern Ghana as a global field representative helping to establish freshwater businesses in rural villages that previously had no access to clean and safe drinking water. This has definitely been the highlight of my college experience so far.”

She is exploring leadership studies as an academic discipline through the Leadership and Social Change Residential College and is majoring in national security and foreign affairs and creative writing.

Sarah plans to join the Peace Corps after graduation and wants to be a more effective agent for change.

Her motto for life and courageous leadership? “Do what is right—even when it is not always the easiest thing to do.”

Her nominator wrote, “Those around her are in awe of her unwavering strength and resolve to better the world. Sarah is a shining example of what it means to be a leader. She inspires those around her to take a hard look at the world and fix what we can because everyone deserves to live the best life possible. Sarah has an unwavering commitment to do good. Through that, I know she will be able to change the world.”