When Sophia Witzmann started her freshman year at Virginia Tech in 2022, she brought her dedication to community service with her. 

Witzmann, a senior majoring in public relations with a minor in leadership and social change, is fueled by a lifelong passion for addressing food insecurity – and by her goal of launching a nonprofit after graduation. 

"When I was a sophomore, I heard about the leadership and social change minor through one of my classes," Witzmann said. "It was community engagement, and I wanted to continue on that path. Leadership ties into everything I do." 

Growing up in New Jersey with a mom who valued community service, volunteering to help those in need became second nature to Witzmann. As she grew older, she began to grasp the widespread nature of food insecurity and the importance of providing warm, nutritious meals.

Some of her favorite memories involve handing out meals and groceries to children at a local bus stop through Meals on Main, a local YMCA program that distributes food to low-income families living in mobile housing. 

“I wanted that sense of community and giving back to a community that I now call my own,” Witzmann said. “It started off with one of my courses. Part of the course was an initiative to connect with a non-profit, and I chose Meals on Main. From then on, I continued to work on whatever initiatives they were having, and I still do. Four years later, it just has a special place in my heart.”

Blending her public relations skills with a deep commitment to service, Witzmann is grateful for the acknowledgement of her work as the 2026 recipient of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Staff Association’s student scholarship. 

“The scholarship I received from the staff association’s scholarship committee is really helpful,” she said. “I push myself more as an out of state student, so it’s nice to feel like you’ve been seen in such a big school and that your hard work is paying off.” 

Through her work with helping to alleviate food insecurity for families in need, Witzmann has truly taken Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) motto to heart. 

“I’ve learned that empathy is more than a feeling — it’s a reason to take action,” she said. “I’m passionate about giving back to the New River Valley through food security initiatives. As a member of this community, I want to leave a meaningful legacy of genuine service.” 

Written by Faith Casey

Give to the Student Scholarship