Sophie Engerman graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2021 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Affairs and Vocal Performance (Music), along with a minor in Business. Her academic journey also included studying Latin American Studies at the Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, and participating in a Global Seminar at Sciences Po Bordeaux.

For her senior capstone, she analyzed the impact of disjointed U.S. deportation policies in the 1990s on the rise of gang-related violence in the Northern Triangle, fueling current migration trends. To support her research, she traveled independently to Honduras, conducting fieldwork in El Progreso to assess the effects of these policies on local communities. This experience solidified her commitment to migration studies and supporting vulnerable populations—interests she has continued to pursue through her professional career, volunteering, and now, the Walsh School for Foreign Service Master in International Migration & Refugees.

In her most recent role as a Legal Assistant at the Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seekers in New York City, Sophie provided vital legal and social services to asylum seekers, collaborating with immigration attorneys and city officials to advocate for better city governance and policy. Prior to this, she worked as a Community Integration Assistant with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Denver, Colorado, leading workshops on cultural orientation, community integration, and legal rights, and conducting client interviews for Family Reunification eligibility. Sophie also spent time as a Grant Writing Intern for the nonprofit group Yamba Malawi, where she honed in on her skills in securing funding for humanitarian projects. This role deepened her understanding of the operational and financial challenges faced by NGOs, enhancing her knowledge of the broader humanitarian system.

Well versed in Latin American geopolitics and data & analytics, Sophie is particularly passionate about U.S. immigration policy reform, the rights of unaccompanied minors, and response coordination for humanitarian crises involving refugees. Beyond academics, she enjoys performing music, travel, hiking, and spending time by the water in her hometown of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.