Sofia Reis Wins PEO International Peace Scholarship

A University of Montana graduate student has won an International Peace Scholarship for $12,500 from the Philanthropic Educational Organization.

Sofia Reis, who expects to complete the International Educational Leadership Ed.D. in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences in 2021, earned the prestigious scholarship.

Reis, of Lisbon, Portugal, earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Lisbon and a master’s degree in sciences of education from the New University of Lisbon.

For two decades, Reis served as associate director of the Portuguese Association of Private and Independent Schools. As their representative, she collaborated with the European Council of National Association of Independent Schools. In ECNAIS, she had the opportunity to work regularly with educational organizations and visit schools in 24 European countries.

“I am interested in exploring trends and tensions in the function of national educational systems,” Reis said. “I aim to integrate the new knowledge I am acquiring in the International Leadership Program with my former professional experience to create an analytic framework to re-conceptualize schools in a global perspective.”

Reis has found the American component to her analytic framework rewarding.

“My curiosity is piqued by the differences, my perception shaped by the diversity and my educational values enriched by the experience of being an international student at UM," she said.

For more information call Laure Pengelly Drake, coordinator for the UM Writing Center programs, external scholarships and advising, at 406-243-6140, email laure.pengellydrake@umontana.edu or visit the UM External Scholarships website.