Raul Magdaleno – whose honors include the 2002 International U.S. Congressional Award/Gold Medal, the U.S. President’s Student Service Award and many other accolades – believes in the value of education. With an associate degree from DCCCD and a bachelor’s degree from SMU, the former Dallas County Community College student and scholarship recipient is pursuing a lifelong dream: to serve his community. Balancing classes at DCCCD, a full-time job and thousands of hours of community service, Raul has handled many challenges with grace and a smile. He says, “The greatest weapon we have to combat poverty is education. My DCCCD and Jack Kent Cooke scholarships, plus the support I have received from so many people, will enable me, in turn, to lift up others.”

For Raul, it all began here.