Tell us about yourself (name, year, major/minor, hometown, etc.)
Hi! My name is Sophie Yost, and I am a senior from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I am double majoring in Public Policy and History with a Certificate in Markets and Management.
What inspired you to pursue public policy?
When I applied to Duke, I knew I wanted to major in Public Policy. I had met a few students in Sanford, and they all amazed me with how passionate they were about changing the world on their own terms. Taking Women as Leaders with Professor Zagbayou my sophomore year in the fall solidified to me that I was in the right place. Majoring in Public Policy would give me the academic training I needed to be a better advocate for the issues I care about.
What policy issues or areas are you most passionate about
I’m passionate about advocating for social justice and democratic values across the board. However, arts policy holds a special place in my heart because it combines my love for the arts with my passion for public policy. I advocate for arts funding because I believe experiencing the arts should not be a luxury, but a right accessible to everyone. The arts are essential to our humanity, as they foster feelings of empathy and understanding that help people become more engaged and compassionate citizens.
What other activities are you involved in at Duke (internships, projects, sports, etc…)?
During the summer after my freshman year, I worked as a Firebrand Intern at the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham. I have been involved in the Hart Leadership Program, engaging in the Leadership in Arts Policy Internship my sophomore year and working as a curatorial/grant writing intern in South Florida. I also participated in the Patman Political Engagement Project last year, where I worked as a Constituent Affairs Intern for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. At Duke, I am involved in theater through Hoof ‘n’ Horn, Me Too Monologues, and All of the Above. I was president of the Blackwell, Keohane, and Swift quad councils. Finally, I am currently working as an Intro to Public Policy (PUBPOL155) teaching assistant and have been a Polis student assistant since my freshman year.
Fun fact or hobby about yourself
My favorite activity to do on campus is visit the chickens in the Duke Gardens.
Anything else you would like to share?
My favorite Polis memory has been hosting bingo at the Polis Student Committee kickoff parties each year!