SE Valley Times

Rio Salado College has been named a finalist in the Judges Award category at the Arizona Technology Council’s Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards. The awards recognize leaders and innovators within Arizona's technology sector.

The college's STEM Initiatives department received the nomination for its efforts in creating education and training pathways focused on semiconductor manufacturing and nanotechnology. Dr. Rick Vaughn, Faculty Chair for STEM Initiatives at Rio Salado, expressed his gratitude for the nomination, stating, “I am deeply honored to be nominated and selected as a finalist for the Arizona Technology Council Innovation Award in the Judges category.” He emphasized that this recognition underscores the dedication of Rio Salado College, particularly its semiconductor manufacturing program.

Vaughn developed nanotechnology courses at the community college level prior to the 2022 CHIPS Act, which allocated $280 billion to enhance semiconductor research and manufacturing in the United States. These programs were designed to meet industry needs by connecting with partners nationwide to support local workforce demands for technicians.

Rio’s programs offer training opportunities through a combination of in-person and online learning, catering to veterans, adults, and traditional students. Vaughn highlighted these initiatives as evidence of Rio's commitment to developing a skilled workforce essential for Arizona's technological advancement. “As we strive to meet the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry, this acknowledgment underscores our role in fostering innovation and advancing technical education in Arizona,” Vaughn said.

The winners of the Arizona Technology Council awards will be announced at an event on November 13, 2024.

Additionally, Vaughn was recently featured in an article by Community College Journal from the American Association of Community Colleges. The article discussed how recipients of National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grants create partnerships with organizations and industry leaders to enhance college STEM programs.

As a grant recipient, Rio Salado has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) for its certificate program, benefiting from ASU's facilities and instructors. Vaughn acknowledged ASU as a long-standing partner: “ASU has been a tremendous partner...and I think that’s why we have a little bit of a leg up."

He also credited Jessica Arroyo, a success coach at Rio Salado, for forming partnerships with veterans’ services offices across all Maricopa Community Colleges. These collaborations contributed to strong applicant numbers for Rio Salado’s fall 2024 cohort. The next cohort is set to begin in January 2025.