Born to a teenage single mother, Tim Dean Sain did not expect to pursue higher education. He was raised in a home with seventeen other family members and experienced constant struggles early in life. Tim dropped out of high school, but today is finishing his undergraduate work and pursuing a master's degree in education with a multiple subject teaching credential.

​Tim began his academic journey at Shasta College where he was Student Senate president. Now at California State University, Chico, Tim is an intern advisor with the Educational Opportunity Program inspiring disadvantaged students to reach for their dreams. He also volunteers with Head Start and as a teacher's aide—while maintaining a 3.98 GPA. The father of three also advocates for positive male influence in families through the North State Fatherhood Task Force.

A Graduate Equity Fellowship awardee, Tim is preparing for future doctoral studies. He plans to become an elementary school teacher to share his enthusiasm for learning and to eventually work in higher education and curriculum development.​