Alum’s 3 Associate Degrees Lead to STEM Career
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Before she was leading a hospital chemistry department and processing hundreds of critical patient samples each day, Desiree Williams was a new mother with a plan, a checklist, and the determination to build a better future.
She didn’t wait for the “perfect” time to begin. Instead, she chose progress over perfection, trusting that small, steady steps through Rio Salado College would open doors she hadn’t yet imagined.
“I originally chose Rio Salado for its affordability and convenience,” she said. “I was caring for a newborn son, but I had a clear checklist of requirements for the bachelor’s degree I wanted. I knew that steady progress was what mattered most.”
That mindset would become a defining part of her academic and professional success.
In July 2019, Williams completed an extraordinary milestone. She earned three associate degrees (in science, arts and general studies) from Rio Salado College, completing more coursework than the minimum required for her bachelor’s degree goals.
“Completing three degrees with high distinction as a young mother showed me that I am capable of achieving big goals,” Williams said. “It changed how I saw myself and what I believed was possible.”
After graduating from Rio, Williams applied to a partnership program between Phoenix College and Arizona State University that allowed students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Science concurrently.
After completing the program in 2021, Williams began her career at a Level I trauma and stroke center with approximately 600 beds. In that fast-paced setting, she developed strong foundational and advanced laboratory skills, including experience in blood bank.
Today, she is a Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist in the chemistry department at a Valley-based Level I pediatric trauma center with more than 500 beds and 75 subspecialty clinics. Her role is both hands-on and managerial.
“On a typical on-bench day, I process an average of 400 to 500 patient samples,” Williams said. “That can include chemical analyses of whole blood, plasma, urine, and even sweat. I am also responsible for routine maintenance, calibration, and quality control checks on laboratory instruments.”
On off-bench days, her focus shifts to leadership.
“I work closely with the department supervisor to ensure regulatory compliance, staff competency, and operational excellence,” Williams said. “It’s a fast-paced environment that requires accuracy, efficiency, and strong collaboration with multidisciplinary care teams. Every result matters.”
Looking back, Williams credits Rio Salado College with helping her build the skills that continue to guide her career.
“My education at Rio strengthened my ability to manage and prioritize my time,” she said. “That’s essential in a clinical lab, where efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability are critical. It also helped me recognize my own capacity to achieve ambitious goals.”
Those time management and prioritization skills are still central to her success today. Just as important, Rio helped her develop confidence in her ability to learn, grow, and take on new challenges.
One of the most meaningful moments of her time at Rio came in 2019, when she was selected as student commencement speaker. (View her ceremony on our YouTube page.)
“Being chosen to speak was incredibly affirming,” Williams said. “But the most meaningful part was having my young son there to witness it. I wanted him to see not only my academic achievements, but also my willingness to share my story and stand confidently in it.”
For current Rio Salado students who are working toward similar goals, her advice is honest and encouraging.
“Continue through the difficult parts,” she said. “It’s the hard days, the hard assignments, and the hard cases that create growth. Growth is uncomfortable, but with perseverance, you become more resilient than you ever thought possible.”
As she reflects on her journey, Williams sees Rio Salado College as the place where it all began.
“Rio was my first experience practicing time management, prioritization, and recognizing my ability to accomplish professional goals,” she said. “It was where I took the first steps in my academic journey, which led to professional development and personal growth.”
From a student balancing coursework and motherhood to a healthcare leader making a daily impact on patient care, Desiree Williams’ story is a powerful reminder that progress, perseverance, and belief in oneself can transform possibilities into reality.