Pablo Soto
I grew up in rural Northern California, living in communities like Stockton, Yuba City, and Live Oak, where life centered around family, hard work, and the outdoors. Not surprisingly, I found my way onto the soccer field early on and I’ve been playing on organized teams for as long as I can remember. According to my parents, I was kicking a ball before I could walk and you’ll still find a soccer ball in my office today.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Chico State after transferring from Sonoma State, and later completed my Master of Arts in Sociology at CSU Bakersfield. To put myself through school, I worked a variety of jobs ranging from renovating homes and digging septic trenches to pruning trees and harvesting olives. Along the way, I discovered a passion for supporting students from backgrounds similar to my own, which led me to tutoring in pre-college programs and ultimately to a career in higher education.
I’ve since worked in University Housing at Chico State, with the Upward Bound program at Diablo Valley College, and now in Academic Advising at Chico State, where I continue to support students on their educational journeys.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing soccer, running, hiking, and spending time with my wife and our two boys.