Sophie Chen (’95) never imagined Iowa State would be part of her story.
Originally from Malaysia, she was studying hospitality in Switzerland and met an Iowa State professor. That connection led her to Ames on a snowy night in the early 1990s.
“Dr. James Huss picked me up at the airport. On our drive, I saw miles of white stuff and thought, ‘What did I get myself into?’” laughs Chen.
From sharing a room for the first time in Helser Hall to walks across campus for her 8 a.m. food science class in MacKay, Chen adjusted to life in the United States.
“Being at Iowa State and immersing myself in a culture where people speak their mind and express themselves helped me throughout my career,” Chen says.
Chen worked in leadership roles for some of the global hospitality industry’s largest corporations; it’s there that she found a passion for helping others develop their potential. When a move took her to Singapore, she decided to start her own business as a leadership and executive coach for women.
While Chen was busy growing her business, Maya Manal France was in high school 25 miles from Ames, with no plans to attend Iowa State. It was too close to home.
“I didn’t choose Iowa State, it kind of chose me,” says France, currently a junior studying data science. “I was offered a George Washington Carver scholarship, and it’s a great school for STEM. So, I said yes, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Determined to see the world and aspiring to run her own business in the future, France explored Iowa State’s opportunities, including study abroad, which took her to Singapore, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Start Something Academy, which paired her with Chen as her mentor.
“Having Sophie there gave me a sense of grounding and it felt like I had a piece of home on the other side of the world,” France says.
Their connection was instant. Over shared meals and late-night texts, their conversations covered school, business, and the big topics of life.
“It became more than a mentorship; she truly became like an aunt to me,” says France. “She opened my eyes to what a global career can look like.”
For Chen, the experience was just as meaningful, especially since she hasn’t been back to Ames since graduation.
“Being Maya’s mentor brought back so many memories,” she says. “I loved how it connected me back to ISU.”
