From a young age, Lynnelle Pantoja knew she wanted to work in health care. She had helped her mom manage her diabetes since she was little, and growing up in Stockton, she had seen how chronic health challenges can affect individuals, families and communities.
Pantoja’s mom didn’t finish college, but there was always the expectation that her daughter would. She enrolled at San Joaquin Delta College out of high school so she could live at home and save money before getting her bachelor’s degree — a stepping stone to becoming a physician. As a first-generation college student, community college also offered some appealing perks. Pantoja saw it as a place where she could “learn how to go to college,” picking up new study habits, learning the ropes of higher ed and building confidence. It felt like a safe space to experiment and make mistakes while preparing for the rigor of a university.
When it came time to transfer, UC Merced beckoned. The school was not far from her hometown and her tight-knit family, and even better, it offered just the program she wanted in Public Health. UC Merced also offered her a great financial aid package. Pantoja received a Pell Grant and campus scholarships and was hired to work part-time at the transfer center — between it all, she’ll be graduating with zero student debt.
Pantoja found what she calls her “second family” at UC Merced, especially at the transfer student center. “I was able to find a community of people who understand what it took for me to get here. A lot of people here are first-generation college students, and it’s a Hispanic-Serving Institution, so I was able to connect with others who share my culture. Everybody is so friendly here, and people truly care.”
Graduating at 27, Pantoja has a message for those who might follow in her footsteps: “Being a transfer student, sometimes our path isn’t always the most traditional, and that’s okay. Everyone’s educational journey is different — celebrate yourself and be proud of your accomplishments.”
What’s next? Pantoja is taking a gap year to get real-world experience in health care and apply to medical school. Her ultimate goal is to help people in her community in the Central Valley, where a perennial shortage of physicians and medical professionals has led to a health care crisis.
