Spring — 2004

Panthea Pedoeim

Student

“I took a sociology class at night and it was just amazing! I learned so much about viewing the whole world in many different ways.”

There’s occasional talk of turning SMC into a four-year college. But Panthea Pedoeim has already managed to do just that. “I’ve taken a lot of classes at SMC, and this is my fourth year. I just did my GEs for the first couple of years because I didn’t know what I wanted. But then I realized that I really wanted to go into nursing and, hopefully, this spring that’s where I’ll be.” But though she’s added a plethora of classes to her transcript, Panthea feels that she’s wasted little time. Especially in SMC’s Science department.

“My pharmacology teacher, Dr. Friedman, is just an amazing instructor. It’s a very difficult class, but he made it all so interesting that I learned huge amounts. And for anthropology I had Dr. Denman, who has this incredible personality; almost like someone you could just hang out with. And by the end of his class, I was really into it. It was a surprise. But honestly? Every class in the sciences that I’ve had at SMC has been very challenging and very good. And every science teacher I’ve had has been very knowledgeable and eager to help out.”

It’s shaping up to look like an ultimate transfer to UCLA for Panthea. “They’ve got a Bachelor’s-Master’s bridge program where you can get both degrees in three years,” says the young woman who volunteers for Meals on Wheels through the Milliken Foundation. “But ultimately what I’d like to do in nursing is to work in pediatrics or run a birthing center. That would be so cool!” And for all who are looking at SMC, Panthea advises, “This school has so many programs that I can’t think of a better place for people who don’t know exactly where they’re going. You can discover and explore, and find the field that’s right for you.”

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