Hailing from Medfield, Massachusetts, senior Sophia Slesar has spent her time at UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) not just studying about sustainability, design, and community, but by building the changes that she wants to see in the world. By honoring her interests and working towards tangible results she has laid a strong foundation for her future career.
Sophia chose to major in Community-Centered Design because it brought together many aspects, that she values in her academic and professional life. “This major and CALS connect my passions in sustainability, design, and meaningful community impact,” she says. Through coursework rooted in sustainable community development and design thinking, Sophia found a program that aligned seamlessly with her interest in building healthier, more equitable spaces.
During her time at UVM, Sophia’s leadership and dedication were recognized across multiple roles and organizations. Within the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE), she earned both the Thomas F. Patterson Jr. Teaching Assistant of the Year Award and a Scholastic Achievement Award in Spring 2026. She was also honored for her leadership as a Resident Advisor, receiving the RA Lead Event of the Year Award in Spring 2025. In addition, her work with Campus Recreation earned her recognition for Best Performance in a Student Fitness Instructor Role (Spring 2025) and Best Performance as a Fitness Hub Attendant (Spring 2024). Alongside these achievements, Sophia served as a Resident Advisor in the Wellness Environment in CCRH and taught yoga through Campus Rec, the Wellness Environment, and Rest Stop.
Sophia complemented her academic work with hands-on professional experience through multiple internships. As a Project Planning Assistant at the Town of Charlotte, Vermont, she gained firsthand insight into municipal planning, zoning regulations, and how local policies shape Vermont’s culture and landscape. She also worked as a Design Assistant at a local interior design firm, where she explored design processes and interior architecture through site visits, client and vendor communication, and project coordination.
One of Sophia’s most transformative experiences came during the fall of her senior year, when she stepped away from UVM to study at Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Waitsfield, Vermont. There, she and seven peers designed and built a 400-square-foot home, immersing herself in sustainable architecture and hands-on construction. “It was an incredible opportunity to apply design principles in a tangible, collaborative way,” she reflects.
Beyond the classroom, Sophia demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership by founding and serving as President of the Vermont Green Building Network Student Chapter. As the Student Board Representative on the VGBN Board of Directors, she helped bridge students and professionals while contributing to the advancement of sustainable building practices statewide. “I wanted to create a space where students interested in green building careers could connect with experienced professionals in the field,” she says.
When reflecting on her time in CALS, Sophia points to relationships as the most impactful part of her experience. She credits her CDAE faculty for their mentorship and enthusiasm, and she values the strong peer community she found among students who share her commitment to sustainability and community development.
As she prepares to graduate, Sophia encourages incoming students to stay curious and open-minded. “Try everything and talk to everyone,” she advises. “Every experience is an opportunity to learn more about what excites you as well as what doesn’t.”
After graduation, Sophia plans to move to New York City to pursue a career in green building and project management, with a long-term dream of renovating and restoring historic homes and community spaces. Thanks to her education, leadership, and hands-on experience, she leaves UVM well prepared to turn that vision into a well-designed and sustainably built reality.