Rio Salado College

Feeling tired, stiff, and constricted? Consider taking up yoga, a fun and rewarding form of exercise and disciplined activity that can make you more flexible while also conferring other health benefits.
https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/wellness-wednesday-say-yes-yoga

🎓 Ten years. Countless challenges. One incredible achievement.

When Ebony Livas walked across the Rio Commencement stage, she wasn't just earning her degree—she was showing her children what perseverance looks like.

Through homelessness, loss, divorce, raising a child with autism, and countless late nights balancing family and school, Ebony never gave up. Inspired by her children, she earned her Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Family Life Education and is now continuing her educational journey toward a career advocating for families with special needs.

"My children were my motivation when I kept going and my inspiration as I worked on assignments and created materials for school."

Read Ebony's inspiring story of resilience, purpose, and determination. 💙🌊
https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/rio-salado-graduate-ebony-livas-turns-challenges-purpose

Ready to make boss moves? 💼✨

Join us for an inspiring conversation with young professionals who are making an impact in their industries and shaping the future of work.

🗓 Tuesday, June 9, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💻 Virtual Event

Hear from:
🔹 Tommie Ho, Director of Business Intelligence at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
🔹 William Abbott, Chief Development Officer at The Priority Center
🔹 Mikaela Romo, Inside Sales and Logistics Administrator at A-Rent Test Equipment

Learn about their educational journeys, career paths, and the skills employers are looking for today. Bring your questions and gain valuable insight to help you take the next step toward your own success.

🎯 Students and staff are encouraged to attend.

Register today: https://www.riosalado.edu/events/boss-moves-young-leaders-career-business-and-success

Rock Enrollment 2026 Tuesday, June 23, 2026 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Rio Salado and Maricopa Community Colleges will host an in-person Rock Enrollment in the Splash Pad on Tuesday, June 23. This is a time for prospective students and current students to get questions answered and meet with a number of departments. Hosted by the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, this event will make the whole process smoother by delivering personalized enrollment services, answering questions, and providing helpful information.

Advantages of Attending:
🩵 Start, continue, or finish the enrollment process
💙 Secure your preferred classes and times
🩵 Learn about qualifying for a Presidents’ Honors Scholarship
💙 Experience personalized enrollment services
💲 Make payment arrangements

Relax, knowing you’re on the right track for the start of the semester Enjoy the summer knowing you’ve scheduled your classes! Please share RSVP information with prospective students, who will receive details. RSVP Visit: www.maricopa.edu/enrollment-day

Jacob Pieczynski graduated as a dual student from Rio at age 16. He's come a long way since then, racking up impressive academic and professional accomplishments. Find out more about Pieczynski and his career pivot from aerospace engineering to accounting in our blog.
https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/spinning-propellers-crunching-numbers-rio-salado-alumni-steady-hand-wheel

🎓 Excellence. Leadership. Resilience.

This spring, Rio Salado College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement, service and commitment to their communities through honors scholarships and Chancellor’s Medallion awards. 🌊

From future educators and healthcare professionals to advocates and community leaders, these students are defining their moments and inspiring others along the way.

Read their stories and learn more about this year’s award winners on our blog. 💙
https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/rio-salado-college-recognizes-honors-scholarship-recipients-and-chancellors-medallion-winners

🎓 “We are more capable than we once believed.”

Austin England made history as Rio Salado College’s first Dual Enrollment student commencement speaker — graduating from high school in the morning and earning his associate degree that same evening.

In his inspiring speech, Austin reflected on resilience, balancing responsibilities, discovering his passion for American Sign Language, and learning to trust the journey even when the future isn’t fully clear.

Watch Austin’s full commencement speech and celebrate the incredible Class of 2026. 🌊
https://youtu.be/lkJoCPicpBU

🎓 Austin England Commencement Speech | Rio Salado College Class of 2026 Austin England, Rio Salado College’s first Dual Enrollment student ...

Maricopa Community Colleges is joining a major regional initiative to strengthen semiconductor and microelectronics workforce training across the Southwest. ⚡

The partnership will expand career pathways, hands-on learning, and industry-aligned education opportunities for students.

Read the full story in Rio News: https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/maricopa-community-colleges-joins-southwest-regional-semiconductor-workforce-initiative

For a long time, Asia Linnea Callery believed college was meant for someone else.

As a first-generation student and single mother, higher education felt like a world she didn’t belong in.

Then she found Rio Salado College.

What she discovered wasn’t just flexibility or online classes—it was community, support, and a place where her goals mattered.

While balancing school, work, and motherhood, she kept moving forward:
🌙 Late nights studying.
📚 Classes squeezed between responsibilities.
💙 Moments of doubt she had to push through.

But every step became bigger than just earning a degree.

It became about showing her daughter what perseverance looks like.

Now, after graduating with an associate degree in General Business, she’s continuing toward a bachelor’s degree in business with a focus on marketing and communications.

Her story is a reminder that where you start does not determine where you can go.

Read the full story in Rio News: https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/it-didnt-feel-her-world-until-it-was

Jayla Sepulveda Silvain encountered a road not often travelled by students trying to complete a high school diploma and two associate degrees simultaneously. While juggling her studies at Xavier College Preparatory and taking dual enrollment classes with Rio Salado, she also had to focus on her personal health, undergoing several surgeries.

“Even though I missed a lot of school from time to time, I still managed to catch up on a lot of assignments that I missed and ended my quarter or semester grades with mostly As, some Bs, and one C,” Sepulveda Silvain said. “I hate that C. For a long time that felt like I failed but it was a reminder that I was strong and resilient.”

She attributes her success to both preparation - learning to manage her time and studies even before high school - and her teachers, coaches and family.

“My teachers made it possible for me to recover without stressing over school work and allowed me time to make up the assignments at a decent rate,” she said. “My parents and siblings are my motivation and the reason to keep loving everything that I do.”

That drive is leading her to a future in the medical field, either as a veterinarian or a nurse practitioner. Her 66 credits, earned both through dual enrollment and the high school ACE program at Rio Salado, will help her progress through her degrees at a faster pace in the future.

“I see myself in the future with my dream career, giving back to different communities, and caring for people in and out of my line of work,” she said.

Her perspective on the challenge of the last few years is a testament to the strength she carries.

“If at my lowest I can achieve that, then imagine when I am at my fullest,” Sepulveda Silvain said.

Xavier College Preparatory

As online learning continues to expand, digital readiness has become an essential part of student success and workforce preparation.

The good news: students do not need advanced technical expertise or expensive equipment to succeed in virtual classrooms.

Key online learning essentials include:
✔ Reliable internet access and a computer or laptop
✔ Familiarity with learning platforms like Canvas or Blackboard
✔ Basic digital communication and file management skills
✔ Strong time management and organization habits

Beyond academics, online learning also helps students develop transferable workplace skills such as self-management, virtual collaboration, and digital literacy.

With the right support systems and accessible technology resources, online education can create flexible pathways for learners balancing work, family, and career goals.

Read the full story in Rio News: https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/what-technology-and-skills-are-needed-online-learning

What keeps someone going when school, work, and life all feel overwhelming?

For Mickiella Sonét Helms, it was remembering why she started.

While earning her associate degree in Early Childhood Education at Rio Salado College, she balanced coursework with a busy schedule—sometimes working two jobs while trying to stay focused on her future.

There were moments she questioned everything:
Was this path worth it?
Was she capable of finishing?

Then came her internship.

Working directly with children reminded her exactly why she chose this journey in the first place.

Not for a title.
Not for recognition.
But to become the kind of caring, supportive adult she once needed herself.

Now, as she graduates, her goals are rooted in advocacy, compassion, and helping children thrive.

Her story is a reminder that success isn’t always about having an easy path—it’s about continuing forward, even on the hard days.

Read the full story in Rio News: https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/becoming-kind-adult-she-once-needed

Threads for Success was a huge success! 👔✨

Students and community members stopped by the Student Life & Leadership boutique to shop FREE professional clothing, shoes, jewelry, ties, scarves, purses, and more — all donated to help participants feel confident, empowered, and career ready.

A big shoutout to the Student Life team for creating such a welcoming and organized experience for everyone who attended. 💙

Recovery. Reinvention. Resilience. 🎓
In this episode of Wave Makers, meet Goldie Johnson Pompey and Marielena Aguirre Foster — two Rio Salado students proving that there’s no “right” timeline for success.
From recovery journeys to career pivots, leadership roles to future law and public policy careers, their stories are powerful reminders that education can transform lives at any stage.
💬 “Your past doesn’t define your future — your next step does.”
🎧 Listen now: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-nhw7d-1acda53

Beat the heat by staying hydrated this summer. Follow these Wellness Wednesday tips to quench your thirst, even if you don't like drinking water.
https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/wellness-wednesday-quench-your-thirst

Commencement was so much fun! Here's the proof! Please share your own photos with us Maricopa Community Colleges

Rio students, staff, faculty, and community members gathered on April 18 in Tempe for our annual Dash with Rio fun run to raise funds for the Jo C. Bennett Student Assistance Fund. Find out more about our successful day of sweating for a good cause on our blog.
https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/arizona-community-dashed-rio-good-cause

💬 Bilingual? Turn your skills into impact.
Rio Salado College has launched a new Spanish for Medical Interpretation Skills digital badge.
This microcredential helps you build and showcase the skills needed to interpret between Spanish-speaking patients and English-speaking healthcare providers.
✅ No medical background required
✅ Ideal for healthcare professionals or career explorers
✅ Shareable on LinkedIn and your digital resume
Take your skills further and stand out in a growing field.
👉 Learn more: https://www.riosalado.edu/rio-specialized-programs/healthcare-programs/spanish-medical-interpretation

What do autism-focused medical interpretation, cotton candy vending machines, youth entrepreneurship, and luxury self-care products all have in common?

They’re all businesses created by Rio Salado student entrepreneurs.

The Spring 2026 Small Business Pitch competition highlighted creative ideas designed to solve problems, support communities, and inspire innovation.

This year’s winners include:
✨ A bilingual medical interpretation consultancy supporting neurodivergent patients
🍭 Automated cotton candy vending machines bringing fun treats across the Valley
💡 A startup club helping kids launch their own businesses
🧴 A luxury beauty and fragrance brand focused on intentional self-care

The competition gives students the opportunity to pitch their businesses, explain their vision, and compete for funding to help grow their ideas.

It’s a reminder that entrepreneurship can start anywhere—with creativity, purpose, and the courage to take the first step.

Read the full story in Rio News: https://www.riosalado.edu/news/2026/rio-salado-announces-spring-2026-small-business-pitch-winners

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship

Want more from Commencement 2026? So do we! Share your photos and ping us with Maricopa Community Colleges