Dr. Tina Torres did not have a traditional educational path. 

A high school dropout and teenage mom, Dr. Torres didn’t attend college until she was 30 years old. 

“I often felt out of place and overwhelmed. But through perseverance, resourcefulness, and the support of family, friends, mentors, and my own determination, I pushed through,” she said, adding that her journey to “earning a doctorate is proof that obstacles can be overcome.”

When that journey began, Dr. Torres explained that she struggled to understand theories and doubted herself. But, professors, friends, and her family believed in her. 

“The most significant support came from my husband,” she said. “He took care of everything at home so that I could attend school at night and study on the weekends. Having his unwavering support allowed me to focus entirely on my education without the added stress of balancing household responsibilities. His belief in me, even when I doubted myself, made all the difference in my ability to push forward and achieve my goals.”

Now, as the Director of the K-16 Collaborative at Sac State, she’s helping others overcome their own obstacles. 

Launched in 2022, the K-16 Collaborative’s website says its 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.”

“I have the privilege of working on initiatives that break down systemic barriers for students of color, low-income students, first-generation students, and adult learners,” Dr. Torres said.

Through a comebacker campaign, the K-16 Collaborative directed people toward HornetAttain!. 

 “One of the highlights is helping to create programs that support comebackers — students returning to education after time away. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students realize their potential and know that the work we’re doing is creating real change,” Dr. Torres said. 

Every day, she’s inspired by the work she accomplishes with the K-16 Collaborative and the impact they have on the Sacramento community. 

“Seeing how our initiatives are creating real opportunities for students — especially adult learners, first-generation students, and those who have faced systemic barriers — fuels my passion every day,” Dr. Torres said. “Comebacker students embody resilience and determination. Their success transforms not only their lives but also their families and communities. Programs like Hornet Attain prove it’s never too late to achieve one’s goals.”