January 5, 2026
Season 9. Episode 88: Dr. Tina Torres
By Adrian Ruiz
Episode 88 features Dr. Tina Torres, Creciente Fellow and Director of the K–16 Collaborative at Sacramento State, in a conversation rooted in truth, growth, and transformation.
A high school dropout and teenage mom, Dr. Torres didn’t begin her college journey until she was 30. She came up in difficult environments, often without steady support and in spaces where she felt out of place. Those experiences didn’t stop her—they shaped her.
Now a doctor and education leader, Dr. Torres reflects on resilience, gratitude, and the support of her husband, while sharing a message for anyone striving for more: progress is possible, and change is earned step by step. Her story is a reminder that leadership can rise from the hardest beginnings.