Rio Celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Education can open doors to new careers and opportunities. For Danielle Cabral, it also helped her find the courage to speak about domestic violence and consider how her experiences could help protect other families.
A mother of three and Arizona Army National Guard (AZ ARNG) service member, Cabral earned her bachelor of applied science in public safety administration from Rio Salado College in 2024. Today, she is pursuing graduate studies and preparing for a future in public policy.
“The biggest thing I gained from Rio wasn't just academic,” Cabral said. “It was the courage to speak up again and use my voice against domestic violence. That means more to me than I can fully explain.”
An Education That Fits Her Life
Born and mostly raised in Tucson, Cabral joined the AZ ARNG in October 2007. She moved to the Phoenix area after enlisting and has served on active duty since October 2012.
Cabral began her military career as a paralegal specialist before reclassifying as a human resource specialist. She now serves as a senior human resource non-commissioned officer.
Balancing military service, parenting and college meant finding a school that could accommodate her responsibilities.
“I chose Rio because it was flexible and affordable. I needed to fit school into my busy work-and-family life. Rio made that possible,” she said.
Cabral earned an associate in general studies through the Maricopa Community Colleges in 2014 before completing her bachelor’s degree at Rio. She said online learning made continuing her education manageable.
“The classes were easy to follow, and I really appreciated the flexibility of learning online,” she said. “It made continuing my education manageable.”
Her advice to other online students comes from firsthand experience juggling competing demands.
“Students learning at home or online should begin by carefully reading the syllabus to understand course expectations, due dates, and grading requirements,” she said.
Cabral recommends adding assignments, quizzes and exams to a planner or calendar and setting aside regular study time.
“Staying organized, checking course announcements often, and starting assignments early can help students avoid falling behind,” she said. “This made me successful despite being a single mother, active-duty guardsman and student during my studies at Rio.”
Finding a Voice and a Purpose
One Rio course, taught by faculty chair Laura Liuzzo, made a particularly lasting impression: PSA310 Research Methods for Public Safety Administration.
“It was the first class that helped me find the courage to talk about my past and my experience with domestic violence,” Cabral said. “But it also gave me a way to look beyond what happened to me and think about what could be done to protect other victims and children.”
That perspective now informs her plans for life after the military. Cabral began an executive master of public administration program at Cornell University last summer. She expects to graduate in December 2027.
“The program is helping me to build the knowledge and skills I'll need to pursue policy writing for the State of Arizona after I retire from the military,” she said. “My goal is to bring both my professional experience and my personal story into that work.”
Her family has been central to her entire journey.
“My father, David, is my role model, both professionally and personally,” Cabral said. “He retired as a First Sergeant from the AZ ARNG and fully supported my decision to join during his deployment to Afghanistan. My children are my biggest motivators, and my reasons for everything I have accomplished and continue seeking out.”
Rounding out the family is her new husband, Chris.
“We just got married on our three-year anniversary,” Cabral said. “He has been an amazing support as I navigated life after domestic violence. He showed me that love should not be painful. I wouldn't be who I am or where I am if it wasn't for my amazing family.”
Cabral has about four years remaining before she becomes eligible for active-duty retirement. As she looks toward a civilian career, she encourages other service members to consider how college can support both their military careers and their lives afterward.
“For anyone leaving the military or thinking about starting college, I recommend finding a field that genuinely interests you and connects to where you want to go after service,” she said. “The work can be demanding, but taking it one assignment at a time and remembering why you started makes it worthwhile.”
For Cabral, that bigger picture includes using her education, military experience and personal story to help shape policies that better protect Arizona families.
“I would recommend Rio because its affordability and flexibility made education possible for me,” she said. “But my experience went beyond taking classes. Rio helped me find my voice again, and that is what I will always carry with me.”