Sona Gevorgyan (BAEC ’23): From Dreamer to Achiever

2 min read

My journey at the American University of Armenia (AUA) taught me many things. Here is what stuck with me: listen carefully to the wisdom and knowledge professors offer, remain open to change, and never hesitate to ask for help.

At the beginning of my sophomore year, during the pandemic and 2020 Artsakh War, when classes were online, I joined the TEDxAUA team. During those challenging times, TEDxAUA became my anchor: a community where I found friendship and purpose. Together, we organized AUA’s largest student-led event, showcasing resilience and creativity. A year after my graduation, I continue to actively mentor and participate in this community.

AUA’s Student Affairs mentorship program likewise had a tremendous impact on my academic journey. I served as a peer mentor during my junior and senior years, guiding wonderful first-year students. Through this program, I learned a great deal about leadership and made many mentee friends.

The University’s supportive environment extended beyond academics. English and Communications Program Chair Dr. Mica Hilson and faculty members such as Viken Berberian, Dr. Hourig Attarian, Dr. Rafik Santrosyan, and Christian Garbis encouraged and supported my writing.

In 2022, during my junior year, while working on an assignment for our journalism class, my classmate Anna Andresasyan (BAEC ’23) and I decided to create a platform where students could express their voices. We co-founded The Highlander, the University’s student magazine. This year, our magazine hosted the Arshile Gorky Competition, made possible through the generous support of the Vahé & Lucie Foundation.

My true passion for journalism emerged here, while working with my peers and supported by my instructors. With Dr. Elitza Kotzeva, my capstone advisor, I published an article in Peitho, the peer-reviewed journal of the Coalition of Feminist Scholars in the History of Rhetoric and Composition. Dr. Kotzeva’s mentorship and belief in my potential fueled my passion for writing and advocacy.

After graduating, I began my internship at EVN Report under the guidance of AUA lecturer, Maria Titizian, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in journalistic writing.

As I prepare to embark on this new chapter, I reflect on my time at AUA with gratitude. The encouragement I received was pivotal to my journey. This summer, I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, through which I will begin my academic journey at Arizona State University’s Investigative Journalism program this fall.

AUA has not only provided me with a solid academic foundation, but also instilled in me a determination that, upon returning to Armenia after my education abroad, I will direct toward enhancing education for the community at AUA and beyond.

My academic journey has been shaped by this University in profound ways, fostering resilience, creativity, and a commitment to making a difference. I am proud to carry forward the spirit of AUA — a spirit that believes in the limitless potential of its students and their ability to impact the world.

As I look ahead, I am excited to continue pursuing my dreams, knowing that the University will always be a part of my story — a story of growth, inspiration, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives.

Become a part of the AUA Student Voices series and tell us about your achievements, aspirations, and goals! Submit a write-up through our online submission form and tell us your story! Selected articles will be published on AUA Newsroom.