Shaniqua Hopkins is Rio’s Entrepreneur of the Year

Student is Role Model for Her Kids, Community and Rio Salado College

By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer

Shaniqua Hopkins is the first student to receive Rio Salado College’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. A member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society, Hopkins is pursuing an associate degree in Family Life Education while raising seven children and leading her nonprofit, 7th Dream Helping Hearts.

“Shaniqua embodies courage, creativity, and the generous grit of a founder who builds for others,” said Dr. Lily Davidov, Rio Salado’s Faculty Chair for Accounting and Small Business. “Honoring her as our first Entrepreneur of the Year sets the tone for what Rio champions— real-world innovation in service of community.”

The Accounting and Small Business department created the award to recognize student entrepreneurs who show outstanding progress in launching and growing their businesses.

Hopkins received $1,000 in seed funding through the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) Everyday Entrepreneur Program, which supports students turning their ideas into thriving enterprises.

“Receiving the first ever Entrepreneur of the Year Award was an overwhelming and humbling moment,” Hopkins said. “I am deeply honored because when I started my nonprofit, recognition was never my goal. My only focus was making a difference in the lives of others like me.”

Hopkins’s nonprofit was created to serve pregnant and parenting at-risk teens.

“I founded 7th Dream Helping Hearts because life in foster care is not fair for a child who never asked to be there,” Hopkins said. “Becoming a mother at 15, it was the kindness of my community that helped me change my life. I promised myself I would one day provide that same support for others.”

In fact, that is how she chose her nonprofit’s name.

“The name 7th Dream Helping Hearts reflects that promise,” Hopkins said. “Seven symbolizes completion— God created the Heavens and the Earth and on the 7th day, He rested. Helping others has always been my dream, and I was born with a heart to serve.”

With Hopkins’s guidance and support, teens needing support from 7th Dream Helping Hearts are connected to services, mentoring, workshops, parenting classes, career development, trauma counseling and more.

"It's an honor to get the opportunity to work with students like Shaniqua who are fully engaged in building their small businesses while also juggling work and school,” said Yolanda Facio, Instructional Service Coordinator. “Each time we meet, Shaniqua continues to thrive and grow her business."

Hopkins is already making plans to grow her education and her nonprofit. She hopes to one day pursue a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Health, and expand her nonprofit’s services to include housing, childcare, transportation and recreation resources.

Hopkins’s Rio Highlight Reel

• In April 2024, Hopkins received first place in Rio Salado’s Small Business Pitch competition, earning an award from Wells Fargo to use toward supporting her non-profit.
• In May 2024, Hopkins received the Maricopa Community College District Chancellor’s Civic Leadership Medallion, honoring students who show exemplary commitment to civic engagement and leadership within their communities.
• In July 2024, Hopkins was awarded the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust scholarship, a unique program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to obtain the resources and financial assistance needed to complete their college education.
• In December 2024, Hopkins spoke at Rio’s EmpowerED for Student Success fundraising campaign launch, discussing the importance of overcoming barriers that prevent people from pursuing education, especially financial support.
• In May 2025, Hopkins shared her presentation, “Do’s and Don’ts for Student Entrepreneurs,” at a networking event to mark Small Business Appreciation Week.
• Stay tuned! In January 2026, Hopkins will be featured in an episode of Rio’s Wave Makers Podcast.

Learn More about the World of Entrepreneurs

Join Rio Salado in celebrating Global Entrepreneurship week during events on Nov. 12.

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship department will hold three virtual entrepreneurship sessions, including one with Shaniqua Hopkins. Register today to take advantage of these opportunities.

10 a.m. From Idea to Revenue: Launch Your Business in 90 Days!

1 p.m. Reflections of Rioentrepreneurship Book Club

5 p.m. From Pitch to Profit: How Our Entrepreneur of the Year Used Their Small Business Pitch 
Winnings to Build Success