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Three Rio Salado Students Receive Honors Scholarships
Three Rio Salado College students have received Honors Program scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition expenses. Natalia Sanchez Garcia and Trinidad Alvarez earned 2022 Foundation Scholarships, and Gloria Salazar received the 2022 Chancellor’s Scholarship. Students were honored in April at a celebration of all Maricopa Community College Honors Program scholarship recipients.
Foundation Scholarship
Rio Salado awards the Foundation Scholarship of up to $1,000 each year to one student or $500 per year to two students in addition to the Honors Achievement Award funds. Eligibility requirements include having a cumulative Maricopa Community Colleges GPA of 3.25 or higher and planning to enroll full-time during the fall and spring.
- Natalia Sanchez Garcia
Natalia Sanchez Garcia is pursuing an associate degree in general business at Rio Salado College and plans to graduate in May 2023. She started taking classes at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Rio Salado College was the best option,” Sanchez Garcia said. “I love my classes, my professors, and the great opportunities that Rio offers.”
As an honors student, Sanchez Garcia is grateful for receiving the Foundation Scholarship.
“Due to the pandemic my family’s business lost all its income,” she said. “Having enough money to cover my educational costs will allow me to study full-time.”
Sanchez Garcia plans to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration and hopes to one day create sustainable business practices for thriving communities.
“I believe dedication is the basis of success,” Sanchez Garcia said. “I want to live a successful life and offer my best to my family and my community.”
- Trinidad Alvarez
Trinidad Alvarez is a dual enrollment student who attends Mountain Pointe High School in the Tempe Union High School District. She hopes to graduate high school next year with an associate degree in General Studies and Arts. Alvarez is working toward joining Rio Salado’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of community colleges this fall. The lack of Latina women in the IT field has inspired Alvarez to pursue a career in computer science and software engineering. She plans to continue her education at Northern Arizona University after graduating from Rio Salado College.
Chancellor’s Scholarship
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is awarded each year and covers one year of full in-county tuition (up to 18 credits per semester), fees and $250 for books/supplies. Eligibility includes taking at least 12 credit hours per fall and spring semester, having a Maricopa Community Colleges cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, and planning to enroll full-time in the upcoming fall and spring semesters.
- Gloria Salazar
Gloria Salazar is a dental hygiene student at Rio Salado College. She is an Arizona native and a first-generation college student. Salazar has a passion for working with underserved populations and is an active volunteer with several dental and community-based organizations. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating from Rio Salado, and work in dental hygiene education.
Honors students at Rio Salado College have access to many benefits, including cash scholarships and awards, honors program credit, and co-curricular opportunities. Learn more.