By Kendra Pintor
When Esther Kang 鈥�26 arrived at 麻豆区, she knew she wanted to study human biology鈥攂ut she didn鈥檛 imagine herself navigating Washington, DC, learning from leaders in health policy or preparing to present her own research at a national summit. Now, thanks to donor-supported opportunities and mentorship at Scripps, Kang is turning her passion for medicine and policy into action, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world impact.
In October 2024, Kang attended the Health Policy Seminar in Washington, DC, thanks to sponsorship through the Laspa Center for Leadership鈥檚 annual Leadership Immersion Treks. PLEN is the only national organization dedicated to preparing college women and marginalized gender groups for leadership in public policy.
鈥淥ne of the first sessions I attended was a networking workshop, and it really changed the way I thought about building connections,鈥� says Kang. 鈥淧olicy is something you can influence at every level鈥攍ocal or national鈥攁nd that realization opened my eyes to new possibilities.鈥�
Embracing leadership through student-driven research
Kang鈥檚 commitment to public health extends beyond the seminar. A recipient of the Conference Attendance Fund and the Johnson Summer Student Research Grant at Scripps, she鈥檚 excited to return to Washington, DC, to present her research on immigrant food stamp participation and health outcomes at the Advocacy Summit.
Scripps awards five to eight Johnson Summer Student Research Grants each year to fuel student-led interdisciplinary summer research. Their academic discoveries are possible thanks to the College鈥檚 generous donor community.
鈥淭he grant gave me the chance to explore what will become my senior thesis,鈥� says Kang. 鈥淲ith the support of my mentor, Professor Cesar Daniel Vargas Nunez, Scripps, and the Laspa Center, I kept refining my methods and research questions, which pushed me to think critically about immigrant exclusion in healthcare and how food assistance policies impact communities like the one I grew up in.鈥�
As a first-generation college student, Kang also emphasizes how vital institutional support has been in shaping her academic and professional path.
鈥淏eing the first in my family to pursue college in the US has meant navigating a lot without direct resources at home,鈥� explains Kang. 鈥淏ut Scripps has given me so many opportunities, from PLEN to the research grant, as well as guidance, which has been key鈥擨鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 okay to reach out, ask questions, and take the leap into spaces that might feel intimidating.鈥�
Influencing the next cohort of student leaders at Scripps
Reflecting on her experience, Kang鈥檚 advice to other students is clear. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e paying for these resources, so use them,鈥� she says. 鈥淓ven if you don鈥檛 get every grant or fellowship, the process of applying sharpens your writing and helps clarify your goals, and every opportunity, whether accepted or not, can build toward the next one.鈥�
As she prepares for postgraduate life next year, Kang鈥檚 story exemplifies the transformative impact of donor-supported programs, fellowships, and leadership immersion at Scripps.
鈥淢y participation in both the PLEN seminar and the Johnson Summer Research Fellowship would not have been possible without Scripps鈥� support,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hese opportunities have been instrumental in helping me discover what I want to do after Scripps, and I hope my story inspires other students to take advantage of what鈥檚 available.鈥�
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