Ridgway Scholar Spotlight: Sonia Edwige Tchamba Leckeu, ‘25

Sonia Edwige Tchamba Leckeu is a senior in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Tchamba said she chose to pursue her BSN at Seattle University, because of SU’s strong commitment to social justice and holistic, patient-centered care, saying “the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment that emphasizes both academic excellence and compassionate service made SU the perfect fit for my nursing education.”

With a deep passion for maternal-child health and community advocacy, Tchamba is committed to supporting new mothers and their newborns. She works as a nurse technician in postpartum care at Swedish First Hill, where she gains hands-on experience in providing compassionate care to families during a critical time.

Tchamba’s scholarship project, "Building Resilience: A Family-Centered Neonatal Education Program for Drug-Exposed Newborns," aims to support families of infants affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) by providing comprehensive, accessible education and emotional support. This program addresses the unique challenges faced by caregivers, offering tools to empower them with knowledge on NAS, neonatal care, and managing withdrawal symptoms. Through workshops, peer support groups, and community resources, families gain practical skills and reduce stigma, fostering resilience and strengthening parent-child bonds. The program's continuous improvement process ensures it adapts to the evolving needs of families.

After graduation, Tchamba aims to specialize in maternal-child nursing, particularly focusing on postpartum and neonatal care. She is dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations, such as infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, and plans to pursue advanced practice nursing to further her impact on community health. Outside of her studies, she enjoys watching her favorite shows, reading and attending church.