The College of Fine and Applied Arts is proud to recognize Sophie Schneider, a Sustainable Development major with a concentration in Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture, who has been selected as a 2026-27 Chancellor's Scholar. Sophie is one of only 10 students university-wide to receive Appalachian State University's most prestigious merit-based scholarship and the only recipient from the College of Fine and Applied Arts this year. The Chancellor's Scholarship covers full institutional costs and provides opportunities for research, mentorship and study abroad through the Honors College.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Sophie discovered App State while searching for agriculture-focused academic programs and was drawn to the university's Sustainable Development program. Her passion for sustainable agriculture developed through volunteer work at Richmond's Shalom Farms, an urban farm dedicated to improving food access, as well as gardening alongside her mother and grandmother. This past summer, she gained hands-on farming experience through a WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) placement at Barbary Hill Farm in Connecticut.
At App State, Sophie is actively involved in the Gardening Club and is exploring opportunities to study abroad in Costa Rica. The scholarship has also expanded her vision for the future, making graduate school a realistic option for the first time. As she continues her studies in sustainable agriculture and food systems, Sophie is building on a commitment to environmental stewardship, community impact and creating more sustainable food networks.
Chancellor's Scholar Sophie Schneider
Chancellor's Scholar Sophie Schneider