Sophie Bystrom ’27
Hometown: Perry, OH
Environmental Studies Major, Educational Studies Minor
Hiram has given me endless opportunities to put myself out into the world and experience things you typically wouldn’t be able to at other colleges.
For Sophie Bystrom, choosing Hiram College was all about finding a welcoming community close to home, with plenty of opportunities to grow academically and personally. Originally from Perry, Ohio, Sophie is majoring in environmental studies with a minor in educational studies. She was drawn to Hiram not only for its supportive atmosphere and access to internships but also for the chance to continue playing the sport she loves at a more laid-back level.
Sophie has embraced every opportunity to get involved on campus. She’s a member of the women’s lacrosse team and Alpha Zeta Theta sorority, and she holds two on-campus jobs at the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station working in education outreach and animal care. Both of these positions fuel her passion for hands-on learning. Her favorite academic experience so far has been the Nature Interpretation class with Professor Sarah Mabey, where she enjoyed the chance to learn outdoors every day.
finding her passions
When Sophie isn’t in class, or on the field practicing her lacrosse skills, you’ll often find her at the Field Station, a place she describes as one of the most rewarding parts of her Hiram experience. What started as one job quickly turned into two, giving her the chance to both learn and work in a space she loves. “There are so many amazing opportunities for each and every student,” she says.
Beyond her campus involvement, Sophie enjoys spending time with friends at campus events and studying on the second floor of the Library, which she calls her favorite quiet-but-collaborative spot. A fun fact about her? She once showed livestock at her county fair.
Looking ahead, Sophie hopes to combine her love for nature and education by working at a nature center, leading programs for schools, or continuing rehabilitation work similar to what she does now at the Field Station—ideally, both. She feels that Hiram is preparing her well for these goals by giving her experiences that go far beyond the classroom.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Sophie says she’s grown by putting herself out there more, taking advantage of the many opportunities Hiram offers, and discovering how much she enjoys meeting new people. When asked to sum up her Hiram experience in three words, she doesn’t hesitate: adventurous, fun, educational.
