Sonia Birla

Class of 2025

Hometown: Cary, NC

Sonia Birla graduated with a BSBA in Finance, a BA in Geography and a BA in International Studies with a minor in German. Passionate about urban planning and economic development, Sonia engaged in extensive research and community work. She interned with Charlotte Center City Partners with a focus on on community development in Uptown and South End. Later, Sonia completed a semester abroad in Germany. She later conducted research on urban food systems at the University of Pennsylvania’s Venture Lab and worked as a transportation planning intern with VHB. During the summer of 2024, she conducted NSF-funded research in Thailand, studying the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change on tropical crop cultivation. Her civic engagement project partnered with HEAL Charlotte to create a park for the transitional housing community. On campus, she served as President of the South Asian Student Association and Campus Sustainability Alliance, Sustainability Liaison for Student Government and Vice Chair of the campus green fund. Sonia is an Urban Land Institute Etkin Scholar, was named Student Organization Leader of the Year, and named a finalist for the prestigious Harry Truman Scholarship in 2024.