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PRESS RELEASE

Rio Salado College President Linda Thor Honored

For a decade, Rio Salado College President Linda Thor has worked tirelessly for acceptance of the community college baccalaureate degree locally and nationally. During this time, Dr. Linda Thor has addressed legislative hearings and served on special higher education committees, expounding the benefits and dispelling myths. The degree would allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in select occupational disciplines, such as police science and allied health, where a lack of degree paths results in critical workforce shortages.

Last week her diligent efforts were recognized as she was awarded the 2007 Pioneer Award by the Community College Baccalaureate Association at their Seventh Annual International Conference held in New Orleans on March 2-4. The plaque is inscribed with the following words, "In recognition of your work as a Pioneer opening the way for others to follow to improve access to postsecondary education."

Although this degree is an idea whose time has not yet come in Arizona, Dr. Thor’s testimony, presentations and articles have paid off through increased access to the baccalaureate in Arizona. In just one example, previously the Associate of Applied Science degree would not transfer. Now it is accepted as a block in the Baccalaureate of Applied Science Degree at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Arizona State University (ASU) Polytechnic Campus and West Campus.

Rio Salado, known as the “college within everyone’s reach,” serves more than 24,000 eLearning students annually (out of 60,000 students) and is one of the premier distance learning colleges in the country. Based in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado combines cutting-edge technology with choice, access, and flexibility. With classes starting every two weeks and more than 450 unique online courses to choose from, Rio Salado’s anytime, anyplace education makes it the college of choice for working adults. Rio Salado Colleges is one of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

For information contact:
Linda Bird
Rio Salado College
(480) 517-8462
linda.bird@riomail.maricopa.edu

Kevin Obolsky
Rio Salado College
(480) 517-8491
kevin.obolsky@riomail.maricopa.edu