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.
Leading up to the event, we will highlight each of the alumni and share their incredible stories.
Ajay Day-Coleman – Writing Mentor, Process Improvement Champion, Equitable Workplace Advocate
When Ajay Day-Coleman earned her Associate in Applied Science degree from Rio Salado College in 2006, she also received dual certifications in telecommunications customer service and quality customer service.
At the time, she worked for AT&T, which partnered with Rio Salado to help employees turn workplace training into college credit.
“Rio taught me that everyone’s journey is unique, and that education can be woven into life rather than paused for it,” Day-Coleman said. “The flexibility I was afforded made it possible to balance work, family, and school at a time when that felt nearly impossible.”
Building a Career through Growth and Learning
After earning her degree, Day-Coleman held a variety of business roles before joining Western Refining in 2008 as a customer service supervisor. Three years later, she transitioned into a process analyst position, where she focused on driving efficiency and improvement initiatives.
A shifting economy in 2010 inspired Day-Coleman to return to higher education.
“I returned to pursue my bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University (ASU) while working full time and welcoming my first son,” she said. “I completed it in 2013— a milestone that symbolized both professional and personal growth.”
In 2011, she began mentoring other students as a writing fellow with ASU’s Writer’s Studio. Then, in 2014, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in technical communication during one of the most challenging times in her life.
“I gave birth to my second child and was navigating the profound loss of my mother,” Day-Coleman said. “I struggled with changing programs, withdrawing from courses, and balancing the realities of being a single mother. Yet, I never gave up, and leaned on the resilience and determination that started with Rio Salado.”
Leading with Purpose
In 2016, Day-Coleman was hired by Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, as a Senior Technical Support Engineer, where she oversees the operational requirements for multiple engineering labs.
“To me, it is not just about systems and numbers— it’s about creating a culture where people can work more effectively, feel supported, and know their contributions matter,” Day-Coleman said.
Helping others feel supported has become a cornerstone of her personal and professional philosophy.
“I give back by helping others pursue the same kind of growth that Rio made possible for me,” Day-Coleman said. “Through my work as an (ASU) adjunct faculty member and corporate operations leader, I mentor individuals who are finding their footing, particularly those balancing full lives while pursuing significant goals.”
Day-Coleman is now pursuing a Ph.D., concentrating her doctoral research on the barriers faced by blue-collar workers.
“My research is rooted in the belief that every worker’s knowledge has value,” she said. “This research is not just academic— it reflects my commitment to equity and to honoring the lived experiences of workers whose insights often go unrecognized.”
Full-Circle Moment
Being selected for Rio’s Alumni Hall of Fame, Day-Coleman said, is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“Rio helped me see what was possible long before online learning became the norm,” she said. “To be recognized by the very institution that helped launch my confidence and career means a great deal. It’s proof that accessible, flexible education truly changes lives.”