This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
Explore Your Possibilities this Community College Awareness Month at Rio Salado
Dear Rio Salado Community,
As we conclude Community College Awareness Month, we want to ensure you are aware of the services, benefits, and opportunities available to you at Rio Salado College.
There are dozens of scholarships, some of which do not require high grade point averages, to help you pay for tuition and expenses. We have support to address food insecurity, emergency funds and wrap-around counseling services to help you during times of crisis— and plan for the future. Our student life programs provide opportunities to work on community service projects, travel, and attend conferences. You can chat with students, staff and faculty with RioConnect, and attend webinars to have meaningful conversations about topics that are important to you. Our advisors are eager to help you stay on track and map out your future educational goals, including transfers to our 40+ university partners. We encourage you to explore these and other benefits by visiting our website and Rio News blog.
Community College Awareness month is also the perfect time to make you aware of our work developing bachelor’s degree programs. The passage of Arizona Senate Bill 1453 in May 2021 allows community colleges to offer bachelor’s degree programs. Our college responded swiftly, submitting a proposal to offer two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Education with dual certification in Elementary/Special Education and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration. We anticipate enrolling students in fall 2023 pending approvals from the Maricopa Community Colleges District and Higher Learning Commission. You can stay up to date by visiting this MCCCD Bachelor's Degree Website.
Student Antonette Pearson helped us advocate for passage of SB 1453 in an open letter to lawmakers who shared, "I am a busy mom of 9 active children, and it has not been easy to balance my personal, professional, and academic life. However, having a supportive community college has been extremely instrumental in my journey to achieving my academic goals. I would be excited at the opportunity to stay at my current community college and save the money that I will need for the master’s level work that I plan to pursue.”
Thank you for choosing Rio Salado College and letting us be a part of your educational journey. We hope you explore all the possibilities that await you— and share your story to inspire others to continue their educational journey.
With admiration and gratitude,
Kate Smith
Rio Salado College President