Rio Grad Guides Students While Preparing for Law Career
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Students who come to Magdalena Espinoza-Ransom for assistance at Rio Salado College can rest assured they are getting the right answers.
As a student services technician in the college’s Admissions, Records and Registration department, Espinoza-Ransom helps students by answering questions, troubleshooting concerns, and guiding them through the enrollment process.
“What I like best about my job is helping students,” Espinoza-Ransom said. “I love being able to guide them through processes that can be very confusing and provide them with accurate information. Every time I talk to a student, I have the opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives.”
Her ability to support students comes not only from training, but from personal experience— she was once a Rio student herself.
“I initially chose to attend Rio for the high school equivalency (HSE) program because the flexibility fit my needs,” she said. “I am a working parent with a lot of responsibilities at home, so I needed to be able to go to school without it affecting my ability to provide for my family.”
She credits the support she received from Rio staff as a major reason she succeeded.
“My HSE advisor, Carmen Lira, was always available to answer my questions, which helped alleviate stress and keep me on track,” she said. “My instructor, Randy Weatherton, also went above and beyond. He provided additional tutoring that helped me pass my math requirement, which was a major obstacle for me. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Carmen and Randy, I don’t know that I would be where I am today.”
Encouraged by that support, Espinoza-Ransom kept going after earning her HSE diploma. She completed associate degrees in criminal justice and paralegal studies before enrolling in Rio Salado’s bachelor’s degree program in Public Safety Administration.
“I chose the Public Safety program because it allowed me to pursue my long-time interest in law and move toward my career goals,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer since I was a little girl.”
Along the way, she learned strategies that helped her succeed in an online learning environment.
“My biggest challenge with online learning was staying motivated and on task without the accountability of a regular classroom,” she said. “To deal with this, I created a weekly schedule and set reminders. I also broke down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. That helped me stay organized and avoid procrastination while balancing school and life.”
In early 2025, she completed the Public Safety Administration program and walked in Rio Salado’s commencement ceremony last May.
“Reaching this milestone was an emotional and incredible experience for me,” she said. “As a teenage mother and high school dropout, I never thought I would be earning a bachelor’s degree. To know that I am proof that someone can start off on the wrong path and turn it around through education and the right support system is extremely gratifying.”
Next up for Espinoza-Ransom is a master’s degree at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, which she will begin this month.
“After completing the program, my goal is to pursue a doctoral degree, which will move me one step closer to my long-term goal of working in the legal field and advocating for vulnerable populations,” she said. “Rio made all of this possible by providing a solid foundation in public safety and giving me the confidence to succeed in graduate-level studies.”
For now, she is the one helping Rio Salado students build their confidence.
“Being a Rio graduate helps me in my role as a student services technician because I have been in their shoes and understand the challenges they face,” she said. “This means I can provide advice and reassurance based on real-life experience. I know how an encouraging voice and clear guidance can impact their success.”