By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Rio Salado will hold a celebration this week to honor the first cohort to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
The Rio Salado College Alumni Hall of Fame was created as a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) College Project between the Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter (Rio’s PTK chapter) and college administration. The project was spearheaded by Marielena Aguirre Foster, PTK chapter president; and Goldie Johnson-Pompey, vice president of leadership. Other PTK officers, including Kelly Sukkha, Jeremy Schall, and alum Saffron Wells, also played key roles, providing invaluable support in planning and bringing the project to life.
“We wanted to recognize distinguished alumni who exemplify the spirit and values of Rio Salado College through their personal, professional or community achievements,” Aguirre Foster said.
Leading up to the event, we will highlight each of the alumni and share their incredible stories.
Meet Bryce Cristiano – Storyteller Grounded in Truth and Purpose Returns to Arizona
At 18, Bryce Cristiano took a leap that would define his future: leaving Arizona for China to learn how stories connect people across cultures. After several years abroad, he began taking online classes through Rio Salado College, an opportunity that allowed him to continue his education no matter where life took him.
Cristiano graduated with an Associate in Arts degree in 2021 and was chosen as Rio Salado’s student commencement speaker that same year, with the ceremony held virtually due to the pandemic.
As a Rio student, Cristiano was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society and the Maricopa Student Public Policy Forum (SPPF), and was named to the 2021 All-Arizona Academic Team, which recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement and leadership. He also received the Chancellor’s Medallion for Civic Leadership.
Through PTK and SPFF, Cristiano developed an interest in civic engagement and communication; skills he continues to use in his professional and creative work.
“My time at Rio taught me that there are many people out there willing to step in to help you reach success if you simply ask,” Cristiano said. “There's a wonderful community at Rio who genuinely care for students and their success and goals.”
Finding His Voice Through Storytelling
In 2022, Cristiano was interviewed by current Rio Salado students for Roadtrip Nation, a PBS documentary series that helps young adults explore careers aligned with their passions and interests.
Cristiano was happy to participate in the documentary.
“It was really exciting to sit down with Cordero Holmes and explain how, even though we come from totally different backgrounds and life experiences, we were still able to make a strong connection through our academic experiences at Rio Salado,” Cristiano said.
Cristiano later moved to New York to continue his documentary and media work. He has directed three short films; Outsideness (2021), Puzzled (2022), and The Space Between (2023) and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the City College of New York in 2023. Those creative experiences laid the groundwork for a career that balances storytelling with technical precision.
Bringing Truth and Perspective to His Work
Today, Cristiano works at NBCUniversal in New York, where he supports the network’s live broadcasts and brings a communicator’s mindset to technical production, ensuring clarity, precision, and reliability on air. He also continues to create as an independent filmmaker and journalist, spotlighting stories of resilience and human dignity.
“I try to give back by bringing honesty and perspective wherever I am — whether that’s on a film set, in a newsroom, or in my community,” Cristiano said. “My goal is to help people see clearly, to build trust, and to remind others that integrity and purpose matter as much as success.”
Cristiano says the mission of Rio Salado to make higher education accessible for working adults reflects the resilient and forward-looking spirit that defines Arizona. It shows what is possible when communities invest in people who keep building through challenges.
Honoring His Roots
Cristiano is honored to be chosen as a member of Rio’s inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame class.
“Being selected for Rio's Alumni Hall of Fame reminds me of the importance of my home state of Arizona," Cristiano said. "Recognition through Rio is a reminder to students and workers that Arizona needs them now more than ever. The accomplishments of every Rio Salado and MCCCD (Maricopa County Community College District) student should be celebrated as a win for our amazing home state.”
Cristiano plans to return to Arizona, bringing his experience in media and storytelling home to help strengthen the community that first believed in him.