Watch the 2025 Commencement Ceremony Live: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8
When a record-breaking 450-plus graduates take part in the Rio Salado College commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Arizona Financial Theatre, five of them will take steps never crossed until now— they will be the first students honored for earning a bachelor's degree in education from Rio Salado.
Tiffany Brooks, Hailey Canella, Rebecca Cervantez, Gabriel Relf, and Alyssa Snowball each took different paths to completing their bachelor’s degrees in elementary and special education (BAEE/SPED).
“These students exemplify the dedication, resilience, and passion we hope to inspire in all future educators,” said Dr. Jennifer Gresko, Faculty Chair of Education at Rio Salado College. “They are not only pioneers in our new bachelor’s program, but also powerful examples of what’s possible when access to education meets determination.”
By completing the program, they are all eligible to seek the Standard Arizona Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education (K-8), Standard Arizona Teaching Certificate in Special Education (K-12), and the Structured English Immersion Endorsement.
"This first graduating class of bachelor's degree students in education at Rio Salado College represents more than academic achievement— it marks a turning point in addressing Arizona’s teacher shortage,” said Kim Tobey, Rio Salado’s director for Teacher Certification Programs. “By offering a cost-effective, flexible pathway that allows students to work while they learn, we’ve opened doors for aspiring educators who were waiting for the right opportunity. Many of our graduates are already making a difference in classrooms across the state, and this is just the beginning."
In addition to the five education bachelor’s degree candidates, there will be 11 students recognized as candidates for a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration at tonight’s ceremony.
Rio Salado began offering the two bachelor’s degree programs in 2023. There are more than 460 students enrolled today in the bachelor’s programs, including 287 in BAEE/SPED.
Two of the five education students shared their stories with Rio Salado.
Meet Hailey Canella
For Hailey Canella, teaching was in the genes.
“I come from a long line of educators,” Canella said. “Growing up, I was always drawn to working with individuals with special needs. From a young age, I knew that special education was what I wanted to do with my life.”
To help make her dreams a reality, Canella enrolled in Rio Salado College’s educator preparation program.
“I chose Rio Salado because of the flexibility their online classes offered, which was exactly what I needed at the time,” Canella said. “Taking online classes was an amazing experience. I could learn on my own schedule while still managing my responsibilities.”
Through Rio’s BAEE/SPED program, Canella was able to start her teaching career a year early. At 22 years old, Canella is currently a first-year special education teacher in a self-contained classroom.
“I absolutely love my job, and truly feel like I’ve found my calling,” Canella said. “I would 100% recommend Rio Salado to students who are self-disciplined, motivated, and looking for a school that fits into a busy life. The flexibility and support I received made all the difference in helping me achieve my goals.”
Meet Gabriel Relf
When Gabriel Relf enters the halls of Madrid Neighborhood School in the Alhambra Elementary School District in the fall as a fifth-grade science teacher, it may feel a little like going home.
That’s because Relf once walked the same halls as a student.
Relf started his educational journey at Rio Salado during the recent pandemic. When he learned the college would be offering a new bachelor’s degree in BAEE/SPED, he decided to turn his attention toward that goal.
“My advisor told me that Rio was going to be opening up a four-year program,” Relf said. “They did, and it all worked out. It was perfect timing.”
While completing his student teaching, Relf was offered a job at Madrid Neighborhood School. Curious, he looked up the school’s location on his phone. The address looked familiar but the name did not.
When he drove to the campus, he connected the dots: the school was previously called Alhambra Tradition - and it was there that he attended classes as a young child.
“It’s wild,” Relf said. “I’ll be teaching at the campus where I went to school. Who would have thought? Look at me now, teachers!”
Rio Salado Bachelor's Degree Offerings
Maricopa Community Colleges began offering bachelor's degrees in Fall 2023, after the state legislature approved the move in 2021 and then-Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill into law. Registration opened in March 2023 and courses started in August 2023. The first graduates crossed the stage last spring.
This year, the Maricopa Community College District will see as many as 100* students across six colleges receive bachelor’s degrees in Behavioral Science, Early Childhood Education-Dual Language, Elementary Education and Special Education, Information Technology, and Public Safety Administration.
*Commencements are optional, and some students do not participate. The total number of graduates reflects the total awards for the 2024-25 academic year through the fall semester and the projected number based on applications for the spring semester.