Sophia Adeghe is being recognized for her commitment to equity and inclusion that informs her leadership and advocacy. As Vice President of Finance on the Columbia College Student Council, she played a key role in developing the CCSC Resource Fund, an initiative to help first-generation and low income students get the materials they need to succeed while they navigate remote learning and the pandemic. To date, over 550 Columbia College students have been supported through the fund. She also addressed food insecurity by securing flex dollars and developing a process for winter break meals for Columbia College students. Sophia is also the recipient of the Van Am Prize.