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Alumni Spotlight - Sofia Reyes
A&M Texarkana May 2026 Graduate Sofia Reyes was born in El Salvador, Central America, but moved to Houston, TX at just 14. “I remember myself as a happy child just running around.” Her happy, child-like athleticism led her to the soccer field, playing at the junior college level, before discovering and transferring to A&M Texarkana. “I heard about A&M Texarkana and decided to try out. I made the team and was offered a scholarship to play, and the University had my major—I knew I wanted to major in engineering. I liked the environment. It just felt like home.”
Sofia grew up around construction, which piqued her interest in the field of engineering. “I have an uncle who’s an electrician. He would always talk about it, and I thought it was cool and wanted to try it out. I ended up liking it and here I am.”
Sofia loved being part of A&M Texarkana women’s soccer team, enjoyed living on campus her first year, and eventually working as a student at the Patterson Student Center (PSC). “Being part of the soccer team was one of my favorite things. I also liked the campus. Everybody was very nice and very welcoming. My favorite memories are always going to be with friends to have lunch or dinner or go to McDonald’s for a frappe on a random Tuesday. I also liked that the campus was very diverse. It was nice to meet people from other countries as well.”
While at A&M Texarkana, she experienced faculty who supported her as both an engineering student and student-athlete. “They were always very helpful. In engineering, we had small classes, so it was nice to have one-on-ones with professors, and I would work with them if I needed something and they would always be there for me.”
As a student, she attended a University hosted event where companies shared advice on how to strengthen your resume and what life is like as an engineer. “After that event, my current boss, Dusty Wiley, contacted me days later and told me an internship position was open, and he would like to offer me the position. I’m very grateful for him giving me this opportunity and believing in me.”
Sofia began her internship with Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) in the summer of 2025, still juggling coursework along with her professional work. “I’m the type of person that if I start something, I have to finish it. There’s no going back. I just have to finish. A&M Texarkana has a lot of resources for students, and I would always take advantage of them. I was determined to finish.”
Although she misses seeing her friends on campus and the college memories, she is grateful to work without the added stress of school. “When I started my internship last summer, I was trying to manage classes, homework, and my internship. I would always think, next summer it’s just going to be work. So, the transition felt easier.”
Sofia’s role at SWEPCO is in distribution engineering. “When you’re driving, you see poles on the street with wires. I oversee designing the distribution system and helping businesses and houses to get power.”
Sofia appreciates the opportunity to work both inside and outdoors. “I spend a lot of time in the office, but I also have the opportunity to go out in the field, see how everything is coming together, be around the field workers, and build relationships with them. At my job, everybody is very welcoming and so nice. It just feels right and makes sense.”
She understood the foundations of teamwork from her time as a student-athlete, but experiencing teamwork on a grander scale still surprised her. “Everybody is important. I might be an engineer, but the company doesn't run without everybody else. Everybody has an important role, and it all comes down to teamwork.”
This summer, Sofia gained the rare opportunity to volunteer her time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, becoming one of 6,000 selected out of 30,000 applicants. “I was at the Fan Fest event. I got to welcome people and answer questions. There were people from all around the world. It was nice to be behind the scenes. I would always watch the World Cup through the screen. It was nice to see how everything works—the teamwork and how everything comes together.”
To the young woman considering a career in engineering, Sofia encourages, “Don’t be overwhelmed with all the boys in the classroom. It’s possible. We have to step up and be confident in ourselves. It’s important to have females in the field.”
To the prospective student considering A&M Texarkana, Sofia shares, “The University is growing and it’s going to keep growing! It’s a great place to go to school and take advantage of everything offered. A&M Texarkana is a great place to spend your college years.”
If Sofia's story interests you, check out A&M Texarkana's Maxell, Ltd. Bachelor of Electrical Engineering program.