Soha Sobhanian: Women Who Inspire

Soha Sobhanian — Educator, Fullerton

The Backstory

Looking back, I realize my life has always been guided by two passions: education and service. From an early age, I was fascinated by biology and the incredible complexity of the human body. That curiosity eventually led me into higher education, where I have had the privilege of teaching Biology and Anatomy & Physiology to thousands of students over the years.

Teaching has never been just about helping students pass an exam. My goal has always been to help them understand how science connects to everyday life, develop confidence in their abilities, and discover that they are capable of achieving far more than they ever imagined. Watching a student who once doubted themselves succeed has been one of the greatest rewards of my career.

Over time, I realized that education extends far beyond the classroom. My husband, Joy Sobhanian, and I shared a vision of making education accessible to those who might never otherwise have the opportunity to pursue it. That vision led us to co-found the Breeze of Joy Foundation, where we provide full educational scholarships to young women facing financial hardship. Today, my work as an educator and nonprofit leader are simply two different expressions of the same purpose: helping people build brighter futures through education.

The Challenges

Like many educators, I quickly learned that teaching is about much more than delivering lectures. Every student arrives with a different story, different strengths, and different obstacles. Learning how to reach each individual while maintaining high academic standards has been one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of my profession.

Building a nonprofit has brought an entirely different set of challenges. As a 100% volunteer-run organization, every initiative depends on the generosity of volunteers, donors, and community partners. Growing the foundation while ensuring transparency and staying true to our mission requires patience, dedication, and countless hours behind the scenes.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I've learned is that meaningful change rarely happens overnight. It is built through consistency, trust, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when progress feels slow. Those small, steady steps eventually become lasting impact.

The Work Today

Today, my work brings together education, science, and community service.

As a professor, I strive to make complex scientific concepts approachable and engaging for every student. Through my educational website, I also create articles and learning resources that make biology and health information accessible to a broader audience. My goal is to help people understand science in a way that is both accurate and meaningful.

Beyond the classroom, I serve as President and Co-Founder of the Breeze of Joy Foundation. Together with an incredible team of volunteers, we work to remove financial barriers that prevent young women from pursuing an education. Every scholarship represents an investment not only in a student, but in her family and community as well.

What sets my work apart is the belief that education has the power to transform lives. Whether I'm teaching a college course, writing educational content, or helping a young woman remain in school, the purpose remains the same: empowering people through knowledge and opportunity.

A Proud Moment

There have been many meaningful moments throughout my career, but the ones I treasure most are often the quietest.

Seeing a struggling student gain confidence and realize they belong in science is incredibly rewarding. Receiving messages years later from former students who have become nurses, physicians, researchers, or educators reminds me why teaching matters.

I'm equally proud of the work we are doing through the Breeze of Joy Foundation. Knowing that a scholarship can change the direction of a young woman's life—and, in many cases, the future of her entire family—is something that continually inspires me.

A Lesson Learned

Never underestimate the impact of small acts of kindness.

We often think changing the world requires extraordinary achievements, but meaningful change usually begins with a single decision to help another person. Whether you're teaching, volunteering, mentoring, or simply encouraging someone who needs support, those moments create ripple effects that extend far beyond what we can see.

Success is important, but significance comes from how many lives you help along the way.

What's Next

I'm excited to continue expanding the educational resources available through my website while creating more videos, articles, and learning tools that make science accessible to students everywhere.

Through the Breeze of Joy Foundation, we hope to continue growing our scholarship program and strengthening partnerships that allow us to reach more young women who deserve the opportunity to pursue an education.

Education is constantly evolving, and I look forward to finding new ways to combine teaching, technology, and community service to make learning more engaging and accessible.

How You Can Help

If my work resonates with you, I invite you to explore the educational resources on my website and learn more about the Breeze of Joy Foundation.

Whether you're a student, educator, healthcare professional, volunteer, or someone who simply believes in the power of education, there are many ways to become part of our mission. Every conversation, every shared resource, and every act of kindness helps create opportunities for someone else.

Who Inspires Them

The people who inspire me most are those who quietly dedicate their lives to serving others without expecting recognition. I've also been deeply influenced by the Bahá'í principles of the oneness of humanity, the importance of education, and the belief that service to others is one of the highest expressions of our purpose.

Something Surprising

Many people know me as a biology professor, but they're often surprised to learn how much time I devote outside the classroom to nonprofit work, educational writing, and creating resources that make science more approachable for students and the public.

Connect

Website: drsobhanian.com