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By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Before she became a student leader and psychology major at Rio Salado College, Kelly Sukkha was a child on the streets of Medellin, Colombia— alone, traumatized, and fighting to survive.
After her parents and other family members were killed during the Colombian conflict, victims of guerrilla violence, Sukkha entered an orphanage. She was eventually adopted by an American family and brought to the United States. A new life was waiting, but the journey was far from over.
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“Like many immigrants, I faced many challenges and cycles of trauma,” Sukkha said. “Unfortunately, some of those patterns carried into my early adult life. However, through faith, healing, and intentional self-work, I’ve moved from merely surviving to truly thriving.”
Sukkha has spent the last 12 years working as a medical assistant in pediatrics, family practice and aesthetics, and with plastic surgeons. While her career was successful, something was missing.
In 2024, Sukkha decided to pursue a psychology degree at Rio Salado College, where she could continue working full-time while taking online classes. But that wasn’t the reason she chose Rio Salado.
“I chose Rio because of its strong connection and involvement with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK),” Sukkha said. “As someone who values leadership, service, and academic excellence, I found Rio’s support of PTK to be a key factor in helping me grow both personally and professionally.”
PTK is a national honors organization for two-year colleges. It places an emphasis on community service and leadership.
“From the advisors to fellow students, PTK has become my family,” Sukkha said. “I’ve built lasting friendships, developed as a leader, and grown as a student. I feel truly blessed to be part of such an empowering organization. I also feel safe to be myself.”
After serving as the vice president for service for Rio’s PTK chapter last year, Sukkha was recently elected by her peers as PTK Arizona Regional Board President - a moment that still feels surreal.
“It reminded me of when I became a U.S. citizen— holding the American flag and wearing the citizenship pin,” Sukkha said. “It was humbling and deeply meaningful. A powerful blend of a Ratatouille flashback and a ‘Vote for Pedro’ moment.”
Rikki Karren, Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership at Rio Salado College, said that Sukkha is a natural-born leader.
“Kelly Sukkha leads with a big heart, a giving spirit, and an unwavering dedication to uplifting others,” Karren said. “Her passion for service and community shines through in everything she does, making a lasting impact on PTK and beyond.”
Taking her new responsibilities in stride, Sukkha continues to pursue her associate degree in psychology, a field she connects with personally.
“I’ve always had a deep ability to listen and connect with others,” Sukkha said. “After everything I’ve been through, I developed a strong desire to understand human behavior and help others heal.”
One of Sukkha’s favorite Rio classes to date was PSY240 — Developmental Psychology.
“My instructor, Maria McGowan, has a passion for psychology and her willingness to answer every question has inspired me deeply,” Sukkha said. “I’m grateful for her encouragement, the extra resources she provided that fueled my curiosity, and for nerding out with me— I truly appreciated it.”
Sukkha admits that adjusting to online learning was challenging at first, but that by joining PTK she found support and a sense of belonging.
Her advice for other online learners? Prioritize your mental health and get involved.
“Stay engaged by communicating with instructors and joining student organizations— it makes a real difference,” she said. “Also, take at least one class that aligns with your personal passion. For me, that’s psychology. It keeps me inspired and focused on my long-term goals.”
Looking ahead, Sukkha plans to transfer to Arizona State University to pursue her bachelor’s, master’s, and eventually a Ph.D. in psychology. Her dream is to be accepted into the Barrow Neurological Institute’s Neuropsychology Program.
Sukkha’s story is one of resilience, hope, and determination. And now, she’s paying it forward— using her experiences to lift others.
“My past fuels my purpose,” she said. “I want to help others heal and rise above their circumstances. I want to provide sound, informed support and truly make a difference in people’s lives.”