CSUDH launched the Once a Toro, Always a Toro program in April 2022 to help students who left the university before completing their degree. 

The new degree-completion pathway removes many of the barriers that often dissuade former students from reenrolling, giving them the confidence to re-launch their career goals, improve their earning potential, and exemplify college completion for themselves, their family, and community. 

“CSUDH students who have paused their education often cite the challenges of balancing work, school, family obligations, financial hardships, and personal challenges,” said Sabrina Sanders, Director of the Toro Reengagement Program, who oversees the program. 

California has long lagged in producing the number of college graduates needed to meet the workforce demands of a thriving labor market. The California State University (CSU) Graduation Initiative 2025 originated in response to this need for increasing college graduates and eliminating the equity gaps for students from underrepresented communities. The CSU is implementing university-wide changes to improve degree completion, with a focus on reenrolling students with some college, but no degree. 

The Once a Toro, Always a Toro program supports the CSU’s Graduation Initiative by fast-tracking returning students’ reentry, providing seamless reenrollment, and waiving application fees. It will also connect students to campus success centers to support them from re-enrollment, to graduation, to the workforce. 

“This is about student success,” said Sanders. “It is about helping students to the finish line to graduation—all students, especially those who may have had to pause their college journey.” 

For program details, visit Returning Toros on the CSUDH site.

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