Rio Salado College President Kate Smith, City of Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, Tempe Chamber President & CEO Robin Arredondo-Savage, MCCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzales
Rio Salado College’s Conference Center hosted a federal briefing by Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
The briefing, hosted by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, aimed to provide insights into the 2026 federal landscape and its impact on workforce development, healthcare, small businesses, and veterans.
Dr. Steven Gonzales, chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District, introduced Gallego.
“I want to thank Sen. Gallego for being here today,” Gonzales said. “He has been a champion of community colleges. He has helped us maintain our status as minority-serving institutions and preserve critical funding for student success, including TRIO grants. He worked with the Arizona delegation to ensure we continue receiving important funding to support students across the Maricopa Community Colleges.”
Federal TRIO grants provide specialized support services, including academic tutoring, mentoring, and financial aid guidance for first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities.
In his remarks, Gallego focused on challenges Arizonans face related to the lack of affordable housing and the rising cost of prescription medications.
The briefing offered local business and community leaders an opportunity to hear directly about federal priorities and their potential impact on Arizona in the year ahead.