By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Cordero Holmes, outstanding Rio Salado College alum and 2022 commencement speaker, delivered the keynote address at the 2024 All-Arizona Academic Team recognition ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Tempe, AZ.
The event honored 77 students from 19 community colleges across Arizona who were named 2024 All-AZ academic scholars. Students are selected for All-AZ honors based on academic excellence and community service.
Holmes addressed the event attendees and recounted his incredible journey from being sentenced to 10 years in prison, to being an honors student at Arizona State University (ASU).
“I spent a considerable time in prison, and as you can imagine, it was very difficult for me to visualize myself as I am here today,” Holmes said. “I remember one day looking at the walls that surrounded me and the mat I slept on, the cold steel toilet and the sink that I washed my clothes in, and I thought, ‘This can’t be life.’”
He pondered this for days, until one day, he received the book, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” by Alex Haley.
“It was though Malcolm X’s example of learning, doing, and being a beacon of hope that I realized that it is never hopeless,” Holmes said. “There is always hope.”
Holmes began reading everything he could get his hands on, and eventually familiarized himself with the policies of the Arizona Department of Corrections.
“Upon my release from solitary confinement, I petitioned the unit to reserve time for myself and others to come together and talk about different books we were reading,” Holmes said. “I was initially met with resistance. But after a year of going through the grievance process, my expected desire came to fruition.”
Holmes successfully created the prison’s first book club and discussion group.
“It continues to this day, six years after my release from that facility,” Holmes said. “And it’s not just happening at that facility, it’s happening all throughout the state of Arizona.”
“I would be remiss if I did not credit my alma mater, Rio Salado College, because it was their re-entry program that assisted me in developing my writing skills and constructing those grievances,” he said.
Today, Holmes is a student at Barrett, The Honors College at ASU. He will complete his bachelor’s degree in public service and public policy in May and begin his master’s degree in public administration there this fall.
“All of this would not have been possible without the reason we are all here today,” Holmes said. “It was my community college, my community college district, Phi Theta Kappa, and my family and friends that provided me with the care and support I needed. And the hope.”
Meet Rio Salado College’s 2024 All-AZ Scholars
Rio’s 2024 All-AZ academic team scholars are Beka Namachanja and Kesha Shelton.
Beka Namachanja
Beka is a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society leader and chairs the Maricopa Community Colleges’ Student Senator Board. She served as Rio Salado’s student senator for 2023-24. She is pursuing a degree in addictions and substance use disorders. Beka has a passion for psychology, personal development and community service. Beka was recently named a 2024 Coca-Cola All USA Academic Team Silver Scholar. Read more about Beka.
Kesha Shelton
Kesha moved to Phoenix three years ago, and after finding herself stuck in dead-end jobs, she knew a change was in order. She turned to Rio Salado to help her plan a new path forward and open up new career options. Kesha is a 4.0 student and a member of PTK. She is pursuing a degree in early childhood education. Read more about Kesha.