“PULSE has inspired me to examine my social position within Pittsburgh and my neighborhood as a new resident. I am learning to be a responsible community member. “
Sophia Leissa grew up in Brookeville, Maryland and completed her undergraduate degree at The College of William and Mary with a major in Sociology. During her time in school, she was involved with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s Democracy Summer Program as a Fellow. In this role she advocated for policy change by engaging in activism and conversation with various members of Congress as well as studied and participated in electoral mobilization. She also served as an intern with the Central American Resource Center where she assisted with organizing a delegation to aid democratic processes in El Salvador. In her free time, Sophia enjoys listening to podcasts, cooking vegan and vegetarian dishes, coding, and knitting. Sophia is a part of the Northside cohort and serves at Partner4Work. Sophia was interviewed by Amelia Marren.
Amelia: How has PULSE inspired you to live/think/act differently?
Sophia: PULSE has inspired me to examine my social position within Pittsburgh and my neighborhood as a new resident. I am learning to be a responsible community member.
Amelia: What have you enjoyed most about living in community? How have you and your housemates pushed/encouraged one another?
Sophia: My favorite part about living in a community is family dinners because that is something I missed in college. It’s a way to come home and center yourself while debriefing with people who are in a similar situation. We have many dietary restrictions in our house, which is really challenging, but it’s fun to come up with unique combinations.
Amelia: What have you enjoyed most about your nonprofit partnership?
Sophia: I find my job really interesting, but I don’t have a background in workforce development boards, so without PULSE, I don’t think I would be in this field that I really enjoy.
Amelia: How do you like to spend your morning and evening commute?
Sophia: I really enjoy listening to podcasts in the morning, and watching Netflix on the way back.
Amelia: What are three words you would use to describe your PULSE year so far?
Sophia: Eye-opening, challenging, and peaceful.
Amelia: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Sophia: I am learning to take more risks and to put myself out there.
Read more Fellow Stories about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: