Sophia R.

Wegeng
978 N Co. Rd. 1500 E.
Camargo, IL 61919
(217) 607-9058 swegeng2@illinois.edu

Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S. in Agricultural Communications—advertising concentration
Food and Environmental Systems Minor
Expected graduation May 2023 GPA: 3.3

Villa Grove High School, Villa Grove, Illinois

Graduated May 2019 Magna Cum Laude GPA: 4.89

Work Experience

Communications and Market Research Intern, Cargill Innovation Lab at University of Illinois –
August 2022- Present
 Developed case studies and created content kits for Digital Foundry initiatives within Cargill
 Interviewed clients and wrote blog features highlighting Digital Foundy projects
 Participate and contribute to professional collaborative meetings with stakeholders and
professionals within Cargill

Social Media Management Intern, University of Illinois Agricultural Leadership, Education, and
Communications Program
 Developed social media incentives and produced content for ALEC social media
 Analyze interactions and conduct research on analytics to increase following and engagement

Marketing Intern, University of Illinois Extension: Unit 13 Family Consumer Sciences—November

2020 to March 2021
 Assist in the production of social media content including but not limited to graphics, blog posts, and
podcasts
 Coordinate and carry out campaigns
 Participate in professional collaborative meetings and projects

Illinois Army National Guard -- January 2019 to present

 Soldier at HHC 634th BSB, Sullivan, Illinois
 Training: 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
 9 weeks of culinary training at Fort Lee, Virginia
 Basic Leaders Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Student Patrol Officer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- August 2020 to December 2020
 Assist with escorting students home as part of the “SafeWalks” campus safety program
 Campus patrol in support of COVID-19 student safety initiatives
 Assist the University of Illinois Police by enforcing campus protocol

Back of House Food Service Employee, Chick-fil-a, Champaign IL – October 2019 to May 2021
 Manage and work on production lines, and fryers
 Maintain and uphold the chick-fil-a image and motto
 Sophia. R. Wegeng. Pg. 1
Farm Hand, Meyer Produce, Villa Grove, IL -- October 2018 to present
 Planted, maintained, and harvested produce in farm plots
 Assisted in marketed and selling produce at local farmer’s markets

Activities and Community Service

 University of Illinois ALEC Program Student Ambassador (2020 to present)
 Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference
 Villa Grove High School FFA President (2017-2018) and Public Relations Officer (2018-2019)
 Villa Grove High School Class of 2019 President 2015-2019
 Villa Grove High School President of FCA, Choir, Student Council, and Science Club
 Villa Grove High School National Honor Society Inductee
 Camargo Champs 4-H President (2017-19)
 Villa Grove Special Olympics Coach 2019

Qualifications and Skills

 Team player with excellent customer service skills
 Excellent leadership and decision-making skills
 Persuasive communication and Interpersonal Tact
 Cultural competency and ethics
 Motivated self-starter with highly developed multi-tasking and communication skills
 Knowledge of International Agricultural Communications and development
 Culturally competent
 Special training: Military Combatives Level 1, Army Combat Lifesaver, Army Culinary Specialist, Food
Safety training, Military Driver’s License, Food Handlers Certification. IESA Coaching Certification,
IHSA Concussion Certification
 Experienced with cropping systems, marketing, sales, and agricultural communications

Key Interests and Passions

 Bridging the communications gap between agriculturalists and consumers

 Advocating for American agriculture
 Domestic and foreign food security
 Agricultural Development- domestic and abroad
 Humanitarian initiatives
 Natural resource management
 International agriculture-agricultural communications
 International Trade and policy
 Veterans

Sophia R. Wegeng, pg. 2

 References

Owen Roberts, Ed.D. Specialized faculty

Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
174 Bevier Hall
905 S. Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
oroberts@illinois.edu

Jen Quinlan- Site Director

Cargill Innovation Lab at University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign
1800 South Oak Street
Suite 203
Champaign, IL 61820
Jen_quinlan@cargill.com
512-574-9336

Callie Parr, Villa Grove FFA Advisor

Villa Grove High School
400 N Sycamore St.
Villa Grove, IL 61956
cparr@vg302.org
217-722-9281

Jacob King, Staff Sergeant

Illinois National Guard HHC 634th BSB
1400 N Main St.
Sullivan, IL 61951
618-554-3417

Sophia. R. Wegeng , pg. 3