Scholarship Helps Tee Adams Build Her Future
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
For Tamara “Tee” Adams, earning a college degree is about more than advancing her career. It’s about creating a future with greater flexibility for herself and showing her three children what’s possible when you keep working toward your goals.
Adams is pursuing an associate degree in organizational management at Rio Salado College while balancing work, family and the everyday responsibilities that come with raising three young children. She hopes her education will eventually help her transition out of retail, work remotely and build a business of her own.
“I don't want to work for someone else for the rest of my life,” Adams said. “I want to wake up and enjoy what I do. That way, it's not work, but something I enjoy doing happens to make me money.”
Finding Flexibility at Rio
Originally from Washington, D.C., Adams chose Rio Salado because its online learning options fit the demands of her busy life.
With three children and work responsibilities, traveling to a campus for classes would add another challenge to an already full schedule. Instead, she can access her coursework from home and build her studies around her family’s needs.
“I find it incredibly convenient to access my coursework from the comfort of my home,” Adams said. “This flexibility allows me to achieve a sense of accomplishment whenever I log on to my school from home, eliminating the need for travel and the associated challenges of managing a household with three young children.”
Making that flexibility work has required planning and consistency. Adams uses her laptop’s digital calendar to keep track of her school schedule and a sticky notes app to create weekly study plans.
She also knows that studying online doesn’t mean students have to stay in the same place.
“Take advantage of the flexibility offered by Rio Salado College and consider changing your study environment,” she said. “Whether it’s a coffee shop, a lakeside, or a backyard, finding a comfortable and conducive space can enhance your learning experience.”
For Adams, communication is another important part of being a successful online student. She encourages students to reach out to their instructors when they have questions or concerns.
“They are dedicated to supporting your academic success and are readily available to address any concerns or questions you may have,” she said.
A scholarship brings encouragement
Balancing college with work and family also means being mindful of the cost of earning a degree.
Adams works part-time at Target and has taken on a side job as a personal shopper. The additional work helps her continue meeting her family’s financial responsibilities.
She said Target’s education benefit has been an important resource, but the general Rio Salado College scholarship she received from the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation provided another valuable source of support.
“Receiving a scholarship was a significant source of joy for me,” she said. “During a challenging period, the email notification of my scholarship brought an immediate uplift to my spirits and provided the motivation I needed to tackle my academic responsibilities.”
Adams plans to complete her associate degree by 2027, if not sooner. She hopes to continue her education after that, potentially earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business management.
Ultimately, she wants to combine her customer service experience with entrepreneurship and build a career that gives her more control over her schedule.
When she graduates, Adams said she will feel both excited and honored because she will be able to show her children that challenges don’t have to stand in the way of achieving their goals.
“Receiving this scholarship will keep me motivated to strive for more and never settle,” she said. “Earning my degree will allow me to motivate not only myself but also others to always reach for the stars because the sky is the limit when it comes to your goals and dreams.”
Apply for 2026-27 Scholarships
Applications are now open for 2026-2027 scholarships through the Maricopa Community College Foundation. Students only need to complete one application to be considered for hundreds of scholarships. Apply now!