How Rio is Making Josphine Cherono’s Engineering Dreams Come True
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
When Josphine Cherono moved from Kenya to the United States in 2019, her main goal was to support her husband as he pursued a graduate degree. But before long, her own passion for learning and community involvement nudged her into action.
“My upbringing was shaped by a supportive community, surrounded by family and friends who deeply valued education,” Cherono said. “In Kenya, I devoted considerable time to my studies and earned a degree in education arts. These experiences instilled in me a strong work ethic and an appreciation for giving back to my community.”
Cherono began exploring ways to get involved in her new community while continuing to learn and grow.
“I sought to challenge myself by adapting to new environments, experiencing diverse cultures, and pursuing opportunities for both personal and professional growth,” Cherono said.
After researching her options, Cherono chose Rio Salado College for its flexible online programs and commitment to serving adult learners.
“The college’s reputation for academic excellence and its adaptable course schedules made it an ideal choice for me,” said Cherono. “It allows me to balance my education with my responsibilities as a full-time mother of three.”
Rio also offered training in the field that interested her most.
“Notably, it’s the only Maricopa institution offering an associate degree in semiconductor manufacturing,” said Cherono, who was drawn to the program because it’s a “growing, dynamic field that offers many career opportunities.”
In May, the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun featured Cherono in a story highlighting how Arizona is leading the way in training the next generation of semiconductor technicians. The reporter visited a semiconductor lab session at Rio Salado College’s Northern location, where Cherono was working with her instructor.
The story described Cherono wearing protective goggles and carefully polishing the surface of a glass plate with a cotton swab. She told the reporter that her husband has been hired as a quality and reliability engineer at Intel, and that she, too, would like to work as an engineer for a major company one day.
Like many adult learners, Cherono had to make some adjustments to succeed in an online learning environment.
“Participating in online classes has been both rewarding and challenging,” Cherono said. “The flexibility enables me to customize my study schedule to fit my daily routine, yet it requires considerable discipline and self-motivation.”
She quickly learned about the value of creating a schedule to stay on track.
“For students in online learning, I recommend staying organized and creating a dedicated study schedule,” Cherono said. “By prioritizing tasks, I can manage my time effectively, which helps me balance academic responsibilities with my role as a mother.”
Cherono is looking forward to completing her associate degree at Rio Salado, and the employment doors that it will open.
“Earning a degree from Rio Salado will give me the knowledge and credentials to advance my career in engineering,” Cherono said. “I plan to continue my education and pursue advanced degrees so I can inspire others and make meaningful contributions to my community.”