Organization Information
Lead Organization
Sacramento State
Who engaged in this project?
Sacramento State University, SMUD, Twin Rivers Unified School District, Elk Grove School District
Funding Information
Total Funding Received
$112,500
Type of Funding Received
Workgroup Proposal
Student Information
Who were the intended beneficiaries?
Low-Income students, students of color, first generation students, adult learners, and comebackers.
How many students were served?
1281 students
Program Information
Piloting a digital platform and mentoring program to connect underrepresented students with engineering and computing careers, enhancing STEM access and transfer readiness.
How is this project reaching high-priority or underserved student populations?
TecoGuide provides culturally relevant college guidance for underrepresented STEM learners. Partnerships with SMUD and Sacramento State have enabled bilingual outreach, increased exposure to available engineering majors, and expanded family engagement through parent workshops.
Did You Accomplish What You Set Out to Do?
We introduced 1,281 students to engineering pathways and STEM careers. Students reported increased confidence and greater awareness of the pathway journey—for example, understanding that it takes three years as a full-time student at a community college before transferring to CSUS. The bilingual approach exceeded expectations by fostering family involvement through Spanish-language workshops for parents. Looking ahead, we have an opportunity to reach more communities with additional translation support and funding.
"Before attending the Feria, I didn’t know engineering was an option for me. TecoGuide helped me see a clear path and resources to make it happen."
Progress towards goals
The impact has been tangible. Enrollment is up, course offerings have grown, and dual enrollment staff now spend less time chasing paperwork and more time providing meaningful one-on-one support to students navigating their college journeys. While counselor adoption of the four-year ed plan feature required additional collaboration and an updated implementation plan in year two, the partnership worked through it together — a reminder that strong dual enrollment programs are built on shared responsibility. For other institutions in the Collaborative, the takeaway is clear: invest in tools that remove barriers, align partners around shared ownership, and trust that when students get the right support, they show up.
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Coordinating a content strategy allowed us to take a proactive approach to capturing stories, and early planning for language inclusivity and digital equity proved critical to the program’s success. Engaging families early and providing culturally relevant content emerged as key insights that could benefit others in the Collaborative, as did the value of partnering with employers to directly connect education with career pathways.
A clear priority has also emerged as the project has progressed: the need for real-time guidance for students as they become increasingly exposed to CSUS and begin exploring their pathways more actively. Students are asking for clearer, immediate support in understanding requirements, navigating transfer steps, and aligning their course plans with CSUS expectations. This reinforces the importance of expanding TecoGuide’s capabilities so students, counselors, teachers, and advisors have an on-demand tool that delivers accurate, timely guidance—making real-time pathway information essential to both the current iteration of the project and its future vision.
The Goal
We aim to position TecoGuide as a cornerstone of statewide STEM equity initiatives. Its scalable design enables seamless integration across college campuses while maintaining strong community connections, and looking forward, we hope to extend access to rural learners and embed virtual mentorship programs—ensuring that every student, regardless of location, has the support and resources needed to thrive.