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PRESS RELEASE

Distance Is No Barrier To Members of the Military Eager To Earn Their College Degrees

Service members take advantage of Rio Salado College’s online classes

Members of the military from around the world are taking advantage of Rio Salado College’s online format to earn certificates and degrees.

They are online in Iraq, e-mailing in Afghanistan and racking up credits in Germany, Spain and Iceland. Rio Salado military students are using their education to earn promotions, switch careers and get ready for life after the military.

Senior Medic Mark Sussman (pictured on left) has completed a record 35 Rio Salado pre-med credits while deployed in Afghanistan. His goal is to attend physician’s assistant school when he returns stateside.

Thousands of students have taken advantage of Rio Salado’s packed schedule of online classes. Motivated by the convenience and flexibility of online classes, members of the Army, Navy, National Guard, Cost Guard, Air Force and Marines are completing their college education while serving their country.

As one of the premier online college in the country, Rio Salado’s online format works well for service members who are deployed, reassigned and have erratic schedules.

“I’ve encouraged any young soldier to take classes. With Rio’s partnership with GoArmyEd they have an excellent package. It’s a great way for a soldier to get ahead without the hassles of going to night school,” said Mark Sussman who is a senior medic stationed in Afghanistan.

Classes start every two week. The online format allows students to work where they want when they want. The sixth largest provider of GoArmyEd and a Servicemembers Opportunity College, Rio Salado has a team of academic advisors dedicated to military members. Advisors understand the financial needs and the scheduling challenges of students.

“I have nothing but good to say about the staff,” said Sussman who at one time had to drop his entire class load and restart his classes because he couldn’t get to the internet.

As a pioneer in online education with ten years of experience, Rio Salado offers courses that are state-of-the-art and interactive. Rio also offers a 24/7 helpdesk for students with technical questions, online student support and an online mini-syllabus to preview courses. Courses can be accelerated with teacher approval.

Sgt. Ronald Sainsbury, a recent Rio Salado graduate stationed in Germany, says the any place, any time flexibility of Rio was the key to his successful completion of his degree.

“Where I work it would be nearly impossible to finish if classes weren’t flexible,” said Sainsbury.

Sainsbury said he even managed to finish two classes while deployed in Iraq working six days a week, 12 hours a day.

“I have more of a personal relationship with my teachers at Rio than anywhere else,”
Jazmin Hammett, United States Air Force

Jazmin Hammett an airman in the United States Air Force says teachers at Rio care about students.

“I have more of a personal relationship with my teachers at Rio than anywhere else,” said Hammett.

Sussman calls Rio a quality education. “I am learning a tremendous amount. I just wish it was a four year school so I could learn more,” said Sussman.

Rio Salado instructor Penny Freuler says as a former member of the military herself she understand the challenges of going to college while serving your country. This year even she was surprised when a student e-mailed his homework would be late. The building his laptop was in was blown up while he was serving in Iraq.

“We really strive to work with students and understand the stressful situations they are dealing with daily,” said Penny.

As a military-friendly college, Rio Salado offers a large variety of different degree programs and certificate of completion programs. Degrees include an associate in science, arts, general business or an associate in applied science in organizational management, public administration, law enforcement technology and a new degree in military leadership. Rio Salado also makes it easy for students to take their credits with them and to receive credit for their military training The new military leadership degree is designed to embrace and recognize the special training given to members of the armed forces, said Associate Dean Rick Kemp.

Graduates of the program often use the degree for promotions and rank advancement. Most members of the military are eligible for 100% tuition assistance at Rio Salado. Service members often find earning college credits or a degree makes a big difference in their lives.

Hammett is now enrolled at Arizona State University’s pre-dental program. Her ultimate goal is to become a maxillofacial surgeon.

“Rio Salado really helped me achieve my educational goals and I am well on my way to a career I’ve always wanted,” said Hammett.

For information contact:

EJ Anderson
(480) 517-8472
ej.anderson@riomail.maricopa.edu

Linda Bird
(480) 517-8462
linda.bird@riomail.maricopa.edu