Meet Sophia Spearman Hansen, Pacific. Originally from the small island of Molokai, Hawaii, Sophia currently lives in Stockton, California, where she works as a program director for the University of the Pacific’s Department of Psychology. In her role, she supervises graduate student internships and provides behavioral health services to adults facing mental health challenges. Her work blends the best of both worlds—a clinical role working directly with clients and a training role supporting future professionals.
A proud mom of two, Sophia married her college sweetheart, and they’ve been together for 23 years!
Sophia currently serves as the house corporation coordinator for Tri Delta’s northwest and central regions. In her role, she acts as the go-to liaison between local house corporations and Tri Delta’s Executive Office—answering questions, offering support, building strong relationships and being a resource for our volunteers.
What made you decide to volunteer for Tri Delta?
“I’m originally from a super small island with no stoplights and definitely no Target. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to experience life in the city. So, when I came to college at age 17, far away from home, Tri Delta really became that home away from home for me and that sense of family with my own family so far away. I’ve always felt connected to Tri Delta, so volunteering just felt like the natural next step. I took a little break from collegiate volunteering when I was pregnant and had my daughter, but I always stayed involved through my alumnae chapter. When someone asked me to help out with housing, the timing worked, and I jumped in. I had great role models in college who stayed involved after graduation, so for me, it wasn’t even a question—this is just what you do.”
What do you get most out of volunteering?
“What I love most about volunteering is getting to connect with other alumnae and hearing their stories. Every time I talk to someone new, I learn something, whether it’s about where they went to school, what their chapter house was like or how different their Tri Delta experience was from mine. It really opens your eyes to just how big and diverse our sisterhood is. I’m also someone who really enjoys helping people. It’s what I do in my career, and volunteering feels like a natural extension of that. Local house corporation volunteers are some of the most hardworking women I know, and it’s not always an easy role. I really enjoy being someone they can lean on and giving back however I can.”
What is your most memorable experience as a volunteer?
“Definitely attending VLC and Convention! Meeting the volunteers I’ve been working with in person and making those face-to-face connections is such a highlight. It’s one thing to email or Zoom, but getting to know people on a more personal level really makes a difference. I had an amazing time at VLC in Chicago! I met so many great people, and it was such a fun, energizing experience. When we all went back home, it felt like those connections were stronger, and I think it also made it easier for people to reach out to me when they needed something.”
What advice do you have for other Tri Deltas thinking about volunteering?
“Give it a chance—there’s truly a role for everyone. A lot of people think volunteering just means being a collegiate chapter advisor, but there’s so much more out there. There are so many opportunities, and we genuinely want and need your help. Even if you only have a little time to give, we’ll gladly take it!”