Clinton School alumni land in many different places across the globe. From the World Bank, to the Presidential Management Fellowship, from running a local composting organization, to starting a charter school, Clinton School graduates change the world locally and globally.
Sophia Said exemplifies this spirit of social change. Sophia holds a bachelor’s of science in economic development from the University of Utah (2007) and a master’s in public service from the Clinton School of Public Service (2011). While at the Clinton School, she worked with the STAND Foundation helping them assess and improve the young adults’ leadership program with a comprehensive evaluation plan. She conducted her International Public Service Project in Pakistan working with the poor and underprivileged women entrepreneurs designing microfinance initiatives to enable gender empowerment. She works as an independent consultant for designing strategic plans and evaluation programs with several state and private agencies including Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Department of Human Services, and Winrock International.
She is also very passionate about reducing prejudice and spreading awareness about different ways in which faith groups can collaborate and work together for community development. Sophia works as the director of programs for the Interfaith Center in Little Rock, Ark. designing interfaith initiatives and helping build bridges of understanding between people of different faith and ethnicities. She has designed several ongoing educational and dialogue based programs in an effort to create a more inclusive and welcoming Arkansas.
Said’s work helps to unite communities, and encourage cooperation. Recently, Said spearheaded the International Week of Peace in Little Rock working with several organization and community partners to spread awareness and education about peace efforts locally, nationally, and internationally. Aransas Peace Week 2015 was part of the International Day of Peace, September 21, as recognized annually by the United Nations and observed since 1981.
Sophia Said has emerged as an interfaith leader in Central Arkansas and attributes her success to Clinton School. “ The program has taught me to use transformational leadership skills in my community development and interfaith work,” said Said. “And also trained me to design effective programs based on real community needs.” Said was honored for her continued efforts to promote peace and community cooperation by being named Peacemaker of the Year 2015 by the Arkansas Coalition for Peace and Justice on February 13th 2016
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