Stories of Impact: Samantha Enciso

It is heartbreaking to see the many underserved communities in the health care field who do not have access to basic necessities and face prejudices.

As a biological science major at Cal State Fullerton, I want to bridge this gap because proper health care should be a basic human right. With a concentration in molecular biology and biotechnology and a minor in chemistry, my career goal is to become a physician’s assistant and conduct lab research.

Balancing two jobs, a full-time academic schedule, lab research and on-campus clubs has been very strenuous. Thanks to the Gayton Scholarship, I can take a step back from my paid work and focus on volunteer work to give back to my community and gain additional experience in the field.

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“I created the Gayton Scholarship at Cal State Fullerton in honor of my parents, Ann and Fred Gayton. My father, Fred, was an electrical engineer and encouraged others to study in the STEM fields. This scholarship endowment continues our legacy of championing higher education and supporting women and underrepresented students in the STEM fields.
— Beth Gayton Bangert ’71 (B.A. history)

Students share, in their own words, how they were empowered by their Titan education. Thanks to you, our generous community of donors, these students discovered their passions and leadership potential in academics, arts and athletics.

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