Sofia Martinez

By exploring new ideas and cultures, and by asking how we can better listen and share our perspectives, Sofia Martinez shows unwavering curiosity in action.

Sofia’s curiosity and love for learning about new cultures is part of what makes her an avid traveler, immersing herself in the culture and the language of the Czech Republic while she studied psychology, neuroscience, finance, and history at Masaryk University.

During her time at Virginia Tech, she has:

• Expanded her knowledge and expertise by joining the Internship EXP program through Career and Professional Development;
• Pursued and secured an assessment intern position with Assessment and Professional Development, learning more about assessment and its impact on the student experience; and,
• Researched how students participate in assessment by examining university structure, policies, and the influence of her position, to incorporate more students into the assessment process.

Sofia created the Student Assessment Roundtable Experience (SARE) which specifically and intentionally includes students in the assessment process in Student Affairs. The roundtable experience that she designed, which first launched this fall, uses inclusive practices to meet students where they are – both in their availability and in their approaches to engagement.

“Curiosity is the willingness and desire to explore the unknown and to pave a new way of thinking or doing,” Sofia said. “If you never ask, apply, or inquire, the answer will always be no. So, if you have the opportunity, go for it.”

For her avid pursuit of more informed decisions to improve the common good, I am pleased to present the Aspire! Award for COMMIT TO UNWAVERING CURIOSITY to Sofia Martinez.