STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Sophia Schmidt (Walton MBA ’23)
Sophia Schmidt is a full-time MBA student with a concentration in marketing and creative
advertising. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2021 with a major in
marketing and minor in supply chain.
As a graduate assistant for the Arkansas Union, Sophia manages the building's social
media platforms and marketing needs. She is also responsible for continuously monitoring
the Union’s identity and messaging and overseeing the Arkansas Union Advisory Committee.
Sophia decided to pursue her MBA in solidarity with the evolution of women in business.
“Our world is encountering a major movement, where women leaders are taking larger
leadership roles in prominent companies. My intent is to continue this movement,”
says Schmidt. She chose the Walton MBA program with confidence based on her undergraduate
experience at the Walton College: “I knew this program could provide me the skillset
and networking opportunities needed to achieve my aspirations to be a future leader.”
For Schmidt, the most transformative part of the program was her global immersion
experience in Chile. Sophia says the trip “not only tested our abilities to adapt
to a new environment where English is not the primary language, but it allowed us
to learn a new culture as well.” Inspired by their experience in Chile and driven
to raise awareness around the fast fashion/textile waste crisis, Sophia and three
of her classmates started Patchwork & Co., a company that repurposes wasted clothing
items into reusable materials to minimize physical waste in the environment.
“Pursuing an MBA has given me a broader understanding of all aspects of business which
will increase the value I can bring to a company,” says Schmidt.
For those with a shared interest in consumer behavior and sustainability, Sophia recommends
“Drive” by Daniel Pink. Sophia says, “It goes in depth about what motivates us intrinsically
and the human psychology behind it.”
Incredible work, Sophia!
