Raul Teodoro’s educational journey began in 2000. After some ups and downs, which included switching majors, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from CSU Dominguez Hills [CSUDH] in 2020.

“I attended three community colleges and failed in numerous courses, but I continued to retake courses, hired tutors, learned to utilize campus resources, and stayed the course,” Raul says. “Once I arrived at CSUDH, I began taking lower-division courses, only to hit another wall with a lack of course availability for my major. There were not enough courses offered in the History major for adult learners who worked full-time. Fortunately, I met a department chair from another college who helped me transition to their major and earn my degree. I attended classes on evenings and weekends and earned my degree.”

Now, Raul is pursuing his master’s degree in history at Sac State while also serving as the project coordinator for the K-16 Project at Sac State. Launched in 2022, the K-16 Collaborative’s mission is to advance “educational equity and workforce opportunities by strengthening college and career pathways across California’s Capital Region through a multi-county partnership between K-12 County Offices of Education and districts, higher education institutions, and employers.”

In his role, Raul helps Sac State utilize K-16 Collaborative projects reach their full potential. 

“I help organize and execute events to help K-12 students see themselves as college graduates at Sac State by providing exposure and educational opportunities on our campus,” Raul explains.

Earlier this summer, the K-16 Collaborative partnered with the Armstead Academic Project to host a football camp at Sac State. 
Sacramento native and former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Airk Armstead started his nonprofit organization in 2019. The Armstead Academic Project helps ensure education equity for youth in his hometown and throughout Northern California.

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Another recent event that Raul says he’s proud of to have been a part of was the K-16 Collaborative data-sharing agreement between Sacramento State, the Los Rios Community College District, and the Elk Grove Unified School District

“I appreciated this event because, as a parent of students in the Elk Grove Unified district, it will provide students with opportunities to attain a bachelor’s degree or certifications from our higher education institutions more smoothly,” Raul said. 

As a first-generation college student, Raul wants his children to come from a household where a college degree is “the new norm.” 

“My partner was instrumental in helping me throughout my journey to earn my degree — she took care of our son while I attended school. She would drop me off at campus and visit my mother’s house so they could help and see the baby,” Raul says. “It was truly a team achievement.”

Just as he kept pushing through, Raul wants anyone who is considering a return to college to know that any setbacks can be overcome.

“It is okay to ask for help because you are not alone as an adult learner,” he says. “We are out there, and we are more than eager to help you earn your degree.”