Sophia Comrie, a senior at Rhodes College, is the recipient of the HR 2023 Student of the Year Award by SHRM-Memphis, which consists of professional specialists, generalists, business partners, and executives representing the broad spectrum of human resources. The award recognizes an outstanding college student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, citizenship, and academic and/or career and technical achievement.
Comrie, who is pursuing a major in urban studies and a minor in political science, worked for the Rhodes College Human Resources Department during the summer of 2023 and developed standardized templates for myriad human resources needs and procedural improvements.
“Sophia demonstrated her ability to analyze complex data and conduct meticulous research, which has been invaluable in our decision-making processes,” said Mariah Hotard, manager of talent acquisition and development, who served as Comrie’s supervisor. “One of her standout accomplishments was her responsibility for data entry and her dedication to researching and implementing efficiencies and best practices. She went above and beyond by creating a comprehensive student worker manual, a resource that will continue to benefit our team for years to come. Additionally, Sophia’s initiative in setting up a phone application on the computer for texting, messaging, and call forwarding has helped. What truly distinguished Sophia was her willingness to not only find solutions, but also share her knowledge and instructions with her colleagues and me as her supervisor. Her collaborative spirit and commitment to fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing have enriched our team dynamics.”
Comrie’s extracurricular activities include participating on the women's varsity lacrosse team and serving as a Rhodes Global Delegate. “Her dedication to community service and mentoring is truly commendable,” added Hotard. “She has selflessly given her time to coach youth lacrosse, serve as a girls' camp counselor, and tutor refugee children in English. Sophia's commitment to helping others extends beyond the workplace and school, reflecting her genuine care for the well-being of those around her.”