Rio’s ALL AZ Scholars, Class of 2026 Graduates Featured on the New Wave Makers Podcast
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
On the newest episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with two (then) soon-to-be graduates whose journeys reflect resilience, leadership and the power of community.
Marielena Aguirre Foster and Goldie Pompey-Johnson are non-traditional students who found purpose and opportunity at Rio Salado College — and both have been named 2026 ALL AZ Academic Scholars.
Aguirre Foster and Pompey-Johnson were among the graduates at Rio Salado College’s commencement ceremony that took place Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Arizona Financial Theatre.
For Aguirre Foster, college is deeply connected to her recovery journey. She began taking classes in 2019, about a year into sobriety. This year marks eight free from intravenous heroin and methamphetamine use and five years from alcohol.
“Recovery is really front and center when it comes to my personality and where my pride is,” Aguirre Foster said.
She is graduating with her associate degree in addictions and substance use disorders and plans to transfer to Arizona State University’s Barrett, The Honors College to study public service and public policy.
Aguirre Foster has worked as a case manager supporting individuals recently released from incarceration; she said being a student strengthened both her professional path and her personal growth.
“I feel like I’ve truly gone through my recovery even stronger being a student here,” she said.
Pompey-Johnson’s return to college also required courage. A full-time professional, she enrolled at Rio to move forward in her career. She is graduating with an associate in arts degree with emphasis in law and public policy, and will transfer to the University of Arizona to pursue a bachelor’s degree in law, followed by her Juris Doctor.
Her advice for anyone hesitant about going back to school?
“Do it scared,” Pompey-Johnson said. “You don’t really have all the pieces or know everything you’re going to accomplish. Once you get in there, you’ll meet amazing people. Your life will change.”
Finding Flexibility — and Community
Flexibility initially drew both students to Rio.
Pompey-Johnson chose the college for its online format, allowing her to work full time and still dedicate focused time to her studies.
Aguirre Foster, balancing work and a new marriage, appreciated the ability to complete coursework whenever her schedule allows — even at 3 a.m.
While flexibility brought them to Rio, community is what transformed their experience.
Both became active in organizations like Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and Rotaract, stepping into leadership roles they hadn’t originally planned to pursue.
Aguirre Foster served as a student senator and joined the Student Public Policy Forum, experiences that helped shape her academic direction.
“I would just tell my past self, it’s going to turn out way better than you can even imagine,” she reflected. “Stay open-minded to the paths that you don’t see.”
Pompey-Johnson, now vice president of Rio’s PTK chapter, president of the East Valley Rotaract Club, and a 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar recipient, said leadership wasn’t part of her original goals.
“I just wanted to join a club,” she said. “I wasn’t looking to be vice president. But there's so many opportunities through PTK, through Rotaract. Just learning with people, just having a good time. It's not all about academics. It's building friends and family.”
The Impact of ALL AZ
Encouraged by mentors in Rio’s Student Life department, both students applied for the ALL AZ Academic Scholarship, which will provide tuition support as they complete their bachelor’s degrees at in-state institutions.
For Aguirre Foster, the scholarship removes a significant financial barrier.
“I depend on scholarships,” she said. “All I want is to go to school so that I can help other people — help myself — and help the world.”
Pompey-Johnson admitted she’s still processing the news.
“Law school is expensive,” she said. “If I can get the next two years taken care of, that changes everything.”
Perhaps most meaningful is that they earned the recognition together — supporting one another throughout the process, embodying the collaborative spirit they’ve experienced at Rio.
Redefining the Non-Traditional Student
As the episode concluded, Reese asked what the students hope others understand about community college students.
“They are some of the most dedicated students I’ve ever met,” Aguirre Foster said. “To go about something the unconventional way means you really want it.”
Pompey-Johnson agreed, noting that community college offers affordability, accessibility and meaningful connection.
“You can still get to those big goals,” she said. “You just might start here.”
Their stories are a reminder that leadership can grow from vulnerability, that confidence can be built one class at a time, and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply begin.
Want to hear more from Aguirre Foster and Pompey-Johnson? Listen now on Podbean or find Wave Makers on your favorite podcast channel: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube.