SE Valley Times

Rio Salado College is participating in this year's Community College Month, an annual April observance celebrating the role of community colleges in the educational landscape. As part of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), Rio Salado provides a range of online classes and programs, primarily targeting working adults and underserved learners.

Kate Smith, the President of Rio Salado College, remarked on the value of community colleges stating, “We know choosing a community college isn’t just a smart decision—it’s often the best decision students make. Rio Salado exists for our community, to meet its needs, reflect its potential, and open doors of opportunity to everyone.”

Nationally, community colleges offer accessible education, enrolling 10.5 million students in 2023-24, an increase from the previous year. The MCCCD is a major educational institution in Arizona, serving more students than any other state college or university.

Steven Gonzales, MCCCD Chancellor, noted, “Each day, our expert faculty, staff and instructors help expand the minds of more than 140,000 learners. Our expansive footprint, comprising 10 colleges and 31 satellite locations, ensures we meet students where they are, in the neighborhoods they call home.”

Students frequently choose community colleges for their affordability, flexible schedules, and opportunities for transfer or career training. Many institutions employ adjunct faculty with field expertise, providing quality education at lower costs compared to four-year universities.

Lennon Audrain and Jackie Elliott are among those who have leveraged their community college experiences to further their careers. Audrain, who began his education at Rio Salado, pursued higher degrees culminating in a Ph.D. and now teaches at Arizona State University. He noted the importance of community colleges in training educators: “As a community college teacher education program graduate myself, I know how important community colleges are in the journeys of so many teachers across the country.”

Jackie Elliott, another Rio Salado alum, focused on online classes to achieve her goals while juggling work and family commitments. “I chose Rio because I needed my courses to be all online,” she explained, adding that it allowed her to pursue a meaningful career as an addiction counselor.

Notable personalities who have attended community colleges include celebrities like Annette Bening, Tom Hanks, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others. These examples highlight the diverse paths community colleges can facilitate.