In Spring 2022, Sofia Gotthold graduated from SBCC with honors after four years of arduous work, earning three associate degrees—in biology, chemistry, and liberal arts and sciences with an emphasis in science and mathematics. She was the 2022 recipient of the Towbes/Luria STEM Achievement Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships offered through the SBCC Foundation. She transferred the following fall to UC Santa Barbara to pursue a cell and molecular biology degree. Her dream is to go to medical school, specialize in neurology, and become a doctor.
“I feel empowered with the academic preparation SBCC has provided me, as I take the next steps in my education,” Sofia said. “I am deeply grateful to be the recipient of this year’s Towbes/Luria STEM Achievement Scholarship. This award represents not only a recognition of all the efforts and challenges that I have faced throughout my academic career, but it gives me the courage and strength to keep growing into the person I want to be—as a student, a professional, and a member of this community.”
As a Latina immigrant, Sofia has taken a winding road in pursuing her dreams and aspirations. She’s had to overcome the barriers of learning a new language, navigating the educational system, and even homelessness. “Throughout my life, I have constantly learned to adapt to different cultures, languages, and ideologies. After growing up in Argentina, my parents, sisters, and I would reestablish our lives in a new city or country every two years. For my parents, this meant ensuring a more promising future for their daughters. For me, it translated into ceaselessly learning new cultures and languages, and trying to establish new friendships,” Sofia said.
The constants in Sofia’s life were her family and her passion for science. Her mother, who did not receive an education, impressed upon her daughters how academic success would help them become strong, independent women. Sofia has also been driven by her deep desire to understand the natural world, and what makes life possible in all of its aspects. She moved to the United States, enrolled at SBCC, and worked multiple jobs in order to pursue her education. The assistance she’s received through scholarships and grants has helped tremendously in making her dream possible.
While taking challenging STEM classes at SBCC, Sofia worked at a physical therapy office, as a Spanish instructor, and was a cell biology PAL (peer-assisted learning) tutor. Throughout this time, Sofia expressed her gratitude for all the support she received at SBCC as she overcame the challenges of being an immigrant and pursuing a science-based education.
“The amazing classes, professors, academic counselors, students, and the community at SBCC—not to mention the campus—inspire students to learn, and make everything possible,” Sofia says, “I will always be thankful to SBCC, and to all the professors who see the light in every student, for being such an important part of my education.”
