Brady Ward graduated from SBCC in spring 2025 with an associate of science degree in biology and an associate of science degree in chemistry. He is the 2025–2026 recipient of the Towbes/Luria STEM Achievement Scholarship. This award, supported by Carrie Towbes and Kandy Luria-Budgor (through the Luria/Budgor Family Foundation), recognizes a standout student in a STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics).
“Thanks to the financial support and affirmation from this scholarship through the SBCC Foundation, I’m now more determined than ever to dedicate my best efforts to what lies ahead,” Brady said. “Having previously considered my career choices based on affordability, this award gives me the confidence to pursue my dreams of attending graduate school.”
Brady is transferring to UCLA in the fall to study biology, and is strongly considering medical school. Not so long ago, he wasn’t sure whether he would go to college.
“The SBCC Promise changed my life,” he says. “Coming out of high school, I lacked direction, and was unsure if I even wanted to pursue higher education. If the Promise program hadn’t offered to cover my tuition, I likely would have never discovered my love for science.”
One of the highlights of his experience at SBCC include studying abroad in Bali, Indonesia with Dr. Michelle Paddack. During his two months in Bali, Brady immersed himself in the ocean, connected deeply with locals, and learned about Hinduism and Balinese culture. He says the program was a transformative experience that broadened his perspectives and fostered maturity.
“I also loved being able to work as a Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) tutor for animal biology and for cell and molecular biology,” Brady added. “The time and effort I invested creating resources for my sessions was well spent, as being able to teach and discuss topics with these students was consistently the highlight of my week.”
