Alumni News

Arizona Army National Guard service member and Rio Salado College alumna Danielle Cabral found more than academic opportunity through online learning. She found the courage to share her experiences with domestic violence and a new direction for her future.

Rio alumni Katie Rizzo recently released a moving memoir about grief. We spoke with the author for our blog about her new book, how her background in science informs her writing as an author and poet, and how our culture’s perceived notions about opioid addiction can make it harder for addicts and their families to find the help they need.

From single mom and full-time employee to director at Salt River Project, Rio Salado alum Amy Gentry shares how flexible online learning helped her balance family, work and education while advancing her career. Hear her story on the Wave Makers podcast.

When Ashia Ramos graduated high school, she already had 63 college credits under her belt thanks to Rio Salado’s dual enrollment program. Today, as a community sales manager for her family’s Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries, she uses that same head start to build meaningful local partnerships and give back to her community.

After more than a decade of balancing work, motherhood and college, Rio Salado graduate Diana Loya earned her associate degree in 2026, proving that educational success doesn't have to follow a traditional timeline.

For Eric Sartori, one online chemistry class at Rio Salado College helped him balance family, work and education while pursuing a new career in nursing.

Help us celebrate outstanding Rio Salado graduates by submitting a nomination for the 2027 Alumni Hall of Fame by Oct. 8.

Amy Gentry turned one class at a time into a journey of accomplishment, career growth and leadership.

After putting college on hold to raise a family and build a career, Rio Salado graduate Leslie Gibson proves that dreams don’t come with deadlines—and neither does education.

For Class of 2026 Rio graduate Zach Harvey, a future in cybersecurity is brighter than ever. Through hard work, patience, and flexible class schedules he was able to balance his duties as a father, worker, and student to earn his degree at Rio. Find out more about his inspiring story on our blog.

For Rio graduate Irene Gomez, her long academic journey brought her to an unexpected but delightful milestone: graduating in the same month from college as her son graduated from high school! Find out more about Gomez, her inspiring life story, and her future plans on our blog.

It takes dedication and a strong work ethic to practice law. Class of 2026 paralegal graduate Zoe Annika Barton is proving she has the grit to hang tough and succeed in a highly competitive field. Find out more about Barton's time at Rio on our blog.