Meet the AZ Students Who Met Bill Gates

Get a glimpse into the lives of the Arizona students who had a chance to visit with Bill Gates and leaders from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Nov. 6-- including Rio Salado students Brenda Moore, Samantha Hill, Angelique Michel and Shawn Lee.

Check out this foundation web page for more details and these RioNews stories for more insights about their visit: 

http://blog.riosalado.edu/2014/11/bill-gates-dr.html
http://blog.riosalado.edu/2014/11/bill-gates-reflects-on-visit-with-rio.html

Thanksgiving Closure, Nov. 27-28

We will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 27-28. 
Special services will be available on Saturday, Nov. 29. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/EPinD. 

We hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

Finish What You Started! Graduation is in Reach.

If you received a postcard in the mail with a finish line like the one above, congratulations are in order! You're closer than you might think to graduating. Let us help you finish what you started at Rio Salado College.

It’s YOUR time! Here are your next steps:

• Connect with one of our academic advisors to get your graduation check list and to figure out what classes you'll need to complete your certificate and degree programs.
• Log in to your Online Student Center at my.maricopa.edu to register for spring 2015 classes.
• Learn about ways to fund your educational goals and the 5 steps to receive financial aid.
• Learn about the student services available to help you succeed:  

Counseling Services: Find the right career path, explore jobs, get help with your resume and more.

Tutoring: Experienced tutors are ready to assist you with course materials, critical thinking skills and mastery of concepts.

Veterans Services: Rio Salado is committed to helping active service military, veterans and their families. Take advantage of Rio Salado's Military Advisement and the East Valley Veterans Education Center.

You can also fill out this online form and a Rio Salado representative will contact you to help you get started.  

Take the next step!

Dual Enrollment Benefits for Students & Parents

While many area high school students might be planning holiday activities, a few are getting a head start on their college careers through Rio Salado College’s dual enrollment program.

Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credit while still in high school. Research shows students who participate in dual enrollment programs have higher college GPA’s, are more likely to complete their freshman year when nearly 30 percent drop-out and are more likely to graduate from college than those who don’t.

“We have had dual enrollment students start medical school at age 20, and others who were admitted to prestigious third-year college programs at age 18,” said Dr. EJ Anderson, director of community partnerships at Rio Salado College. “Dual enrollment enhances the rigor of the high school curriculum, while introducing students to college expectations.”

Rio Salado’s dual enrollment program began in 1987 with Xavier College Preparatory as the first partner. Today, the college partners with 41 Arizona high schools. In the last year, more than 6,700 students earned high school and college credit simultaneously.

Dual enrollment classes are taught in person at each partnering high school, and are designed to meet both high school and college proficiencies. Instructors undergo special training to teach the college-level classes.

“I took my first dual enrollment class as a sophomore in high school at Desert Vista,” said Faith DeMent, now a freshman at the University of Arizona. “I chose the dual enrollment so my credits would transfer to the University. I was interested in Spanish and was excited to get a head start.”

With parental permission, high school students can take online classes through Rio Salado College to supplement their associate degree even if their high school does not have a dual enrollment partnership established.

“We love seeing the success and excitement of our students who earn an associate degree from Rio Salado and three weeks later graduate from high school,” Anderson said.

DeMent applied her associate degree credits toward a bachelor’s degree program.

“With the amount of credit I have received, I can take higher level classes as a college freshman,” DeMent said. “It was worth it in the end. It saved my parents a lot of money, and helped me get ahead. I think I can now earn my master’s degree in four years.”

In 2004, Rio Salado was one of four colleges and universities to earn accreditation with the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), the sole accrediting body for high school dual enrollment programs. Rio Salado was reaccredited by NACEP in 2011 and is still the only college in Arizona to have earned this distinction.

“Dual Enrollment program has really flourished in the past few years as students, parents, teachers and administrators see the incredible benefits of students earning college credits while still in high school,” Anderson said.

Dual enrollment credits transfer to all Arizona public colleges and universities, as well as many public and private colleges and universities outside of Arizona.

Registration for spring dual enrollment classes begins in January. To learn more visit www.riosalado.edu/dual.

This story can also be found in the Nov. 15, 2014 edition of the Tempe Republic. By Rio Salado Communications Coordinator Mira Radovich.

Photo: Rio Salado Dual Enrollment Site Coordinator Claudia Bermudez (left) and Director of Community Partnerships EJ Anderson (right) stand alongside dual enrollment graduates from May 2014.  Learn more about this 2014 class in RioNews.

ABC 15 Sonoran Living Features Rio Grad

Ken Leonard, a graduate of Rio Salado's Sustainable Foods Systems Program, runs the kitchen at Madison Street Veterans Association, a transitional living facility for homeless veterans. 

You can learn more about Ken in the latest issue of Maricopa Matters.

Ken was featured on ABC 15's Sonoran Living Live Monday, Nov. 24, with Director of Rio Salado’s Sustainable Food Systems Program and Cafe @ Rio Michael Hodgins. 

View the full video, and read more about Rio Salado's Sustainable Food System Program on the Sonoran Living Live website.

The Fastest Way to Process Your Refunds

Take advantage of the Maricopa One Card-- an easy way to speed up the processing of your financial aid awards, book advances, cash payments, check payments, payment plan payments and scholarships.  

Learn more and enroll online right now. 

International Ed Week Documentaries & Photos

We're wrapping up International Education Week with a series of documentaries from the Rio Salado College Library, which will be shown in the Café at Rio dining room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Destination America: The People & Cultures that created a Nation

• Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio

• 9 to 5 No Longer

You can also access these films online right now if you're logged into RioLearn.

Enjoy snapshots from our week-long festivities on Facebook. 

This has been an enriching cultural week. Thank you for your participation. 

Federal Work Study Jobs at Rio Salado

Rio Salado College has several, part-time student Federal Work Study (FWS) job opportunities.  We hope you will consider joining our winning team.

To be eligible, you must:

• Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
• Complete a verification process (if required) 
• Complete all “to do” items in your my.maricopa.edu Student Center section 
• Demonstrate financial need (Awards are based on the student need and can vary. Maximum award for 2014-15 is $2,500/semester)
• Have U.S. citizenship, U.S. national residency or permanent residence with an Alien Registration card 
• Enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours
• Work a maximum of 20-hours per week while school is in session
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Enroll as a degree-seeker at Rio Salado College   

Federal Work Study opportunities are based on student need and do not have to be repaid.

For a list of job openings, visit www.riosalado.edu/jobs and look for listings under Part-Time Student Federal Work Study Opportunities.

For more information, contact Jose Robles at jose.robles@riosalado.edu.

New Titles at the Rio Salado Library

Here is what’s new in the Rio Salado College Library!

Fiction

• All Fall Down: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner
• China Dolls: A Novel by Lisa See 
• Faceoff by Davis Baldacci, ed.
• The Late Scholar by Jill Paton Walsh
• Midnight in Europe: A Novel by Alan Furst
• Mr. Mercedes: A Novel by Stephen King
• Smoke at Dawn by Jeff Shaara
• That Summer: A Novel by Lauren Willig
• Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich
• Yarn Over Murder by Maggie Sefton

Nonfiction

• Aspiring Adults Adrift: Tentative Transitions of College Graduates by Richard Arum and Josipa Roska
• Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: On Becoming A Polymath Leader by Michael A. Genovese
• Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence by Gabrielle D. Giffords and Mark E. Kelly
• Citizen 13660 by Mine Okubu
• Fashion and Age: Dress, the Body, and Later Life by Julia Twigg
• How We Got to Now: Six Innovations that Made the Modern World by Steven Johnson
• Presidential Campaigning in the Internet Age by Jennifer Stromer-Galley
• Race and Immigration by Nazil Kibria, Cara Bowman, and Megan O’Leary
• The Science Fiction Handbook by Nick Hubble and Aristeidis Mousoutzanis, ed.
• The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker
  

DVDs

• Go Public: A Day in the Life of an American School District
• Mosquita y Mair
• Too Sane for This World

This list is updated throughout the month as new books arrive. To view the complete list of new titles from previous months, please see the Library New Titles Archive.

Culture of India Brown Bag Presentation



Join us as we celebrate the fourth day of International Education Week. Today, we journey to India for a brown bag presentation, Indian food specialties and a selection of international documentaries.

Culture of India Brown Bag Presentation
Join Rio’s own Harpreet Maan and her friend Rashmi Kwatra for a “Celebration
of India” cultural presentation. The brown bag takes place from 11:30 a.m. –
1 p.m. in the Café at Rio Dining Room.

Indian Food Specialties in the Café @ Rio:
Curried vegetable kabobs with lamb meatballs, rice Birianni, and cucumber yogurt salad.

International Documentaries:
The following Rio Salado College Library documentaries will be shown in the Café @ Rio dining room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m:

•    A Most Unlikely Hero
•    My Mother India
•    Geronimo and the Apache Resistance

They are also available online to staff and students who are logged into RioLearn.

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, and is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

Immerse yourself in culture this week and take advantage of all the unique activities. 

Bill Gates Reflects on Visit with Rio Students

Bill Gates visited Rio Salado earlier this month to learn about the college's progress with a student success initiative called RioAchieve-- and to meet with students to learn about their successes and challenges.   

Gates took to his blog today to reflect on that visit and his meetings with Rio Salado students like Shawn Lee. This heartwarming video profile produced by the Gates team features Lee as he discusses his life, his hardships, his inspirations-- and what he hopes to achieve as a Rio Salado student. 

You can learn more about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visit to Rio Salado in this RioNews feature.

International Flair Day & Salsa A’Fare Contest!

Bring your own culture to life by dressing in the traditional style of your heritage during today's International Education Week celebration.

Then join us for our Salsa A’Fare Contest!
Sample salsas made by Rio Salado employees and vote for your favorites! The top three vote getters will receive prizes.

Tasting takes place from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Café at Rio dining room.

Café at Rio Mexican Food Specialties
“Torta Del Rey” jamon, citrus roasted chicken, queso fresco and jalapeno aioli ($5.95)

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, and is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

Special Thanks to German School Phoenix

A special thank you to Dierk Seeburg and Doris Neyestani of the German School Phoenix for an engaging presentation about German history and culture.

We appreciate your participation in our International Education Week festivities.

For more information, visit germanschoolphoenix.org.

Enjoy a 10% Discount at the Cafe @ Rio!

Talk about a bargain! 
Enjoy a 10% discount on all of your purchases with the Café at Rio Gift Card. 

It's a quick and easy way to save money. 

Check out the latest Café specials and news by visiting our online menu and Café Facebook page. 

Day Two: International Education Week



Join us as we begin day two of our International Education Week celebrations. Today, we explore the many wonders of Germany through an engaging presentation and trademark lunch special.

German Culture Brown Bag Presentation
Join Dierk Seeburg and Doris Neyestani of the German School Phoenix, for a  presentation on German culture. The brown bag takes place from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Rio Amphitheater, outside the Café at Rio.

Dierk Seeburg, director of the German School Phoenix, grew up in Marburg, Germany, and came to the U.S. via the German American Exchange Student Club scholarship program. He attended Bowling Green State University (BGSU) where he received an M.S. degree, and also holds a college teaching certificate from Maricopa Community Colleges.

Doris Neyestani comes from Hamburg, Germany. She recently joined the German School Phoenix faculty. She has an M.A. in German from Arizona State University and an M.A. in Professional Clinical Counseling from Ottawa University.

German Food Specialties in the Café @ Rio:
German style brats, sauerkraut, caramelized onions, potato salad ($5.95)

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, and is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

Immerse yourself in culture this week and take advantage of all the unique activities. 

Kick Off: International Education Week



We begin the 15th annual International Education Week celebration with a series of documentaries and a specialty dish from the Café @ Rio. Today, you will have an opportunity to explore the exciting destinations of China, India and Ireland.

Irish Food Specialties in the Café @ Rio:
Irish corned beef and cabbage, boiled red potatoes, spicy stone ground mustard ($6.95)

International Documentaries:
The following Rio Salado College Library documentaries will be shown in the Café @ Rio dining room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m:

•    Young & Restless in China
•    Shanghai Bride
•    Tapoori: Children of Bombay

They are also available online to staff and students who are logged into RioLearn.

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, and is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

Immerse yourself in culture this week and take advantage of all the unique activities. 

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Alzheimer's disease is an incurable, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually is fatal. It is also the most common cause of dementia. The Rio Salado Library has a number Alzheimer’s related resources to support those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers:

Books:

• Inside Alzheimer’s: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Peron who has Dementia
• Alzheimer’s in America: The Shriver Report on Women and Alzheimer’s
• Are the Keys in the Freezer: An Advocate’s Guide for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
• Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey
• Dr. Ruth’s Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver: How to Care for Your Loved One Without Getting Overwhelmed—and Without Doing it All Yourself
• The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program: Keep Your Brain Healthy for the Rest of Your Life
• The Alzheimer’s Answer: Reduce Your Risk and Keep Your Brain Healthy

 
DVDs:

• The Alzheimer’s Project
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Facing the Facts

Streaming Films:

• Alzheimer's: Hope in the Battle Against Forgetfulness – The Big 4: Fighting Modern Diseases
• Living with Alzheimer’s
• Mom’s Home
• Alzheimer’s Today: A Caregiver’s Guide
• What is Science Doing to Treat Alzheimer’s and Stroke  
• Into the other Lane: Driving and Dementia  
• A Thousand Tomorrows: Intimacy, Sexuality and Alzheimer’s

Celebrate International Ed Week Nov. 17-21

International Education Week is an initiative led by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

Rio Salado is taking part in the week-long celebration by hosting a series of activities, special events and discussions at the headquarters in Tempe, AZ. There will also be daily, multicultural culinary delights from the Café @ Rio.

Here is a brief of activities we have in mind. 

We encourage you to share your stories and photos on Rio Salado's Facebook page and the InternationalEdWeek page by using #RioSaladoCollege, #PP2TW and #IEW2014.

Check RioNews for details about each day's events.

Want to learn more? Visit the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Bookstore Sale Nov. 18-19

Take advantage of the Rio Salado Bookstore sale-- online and in-store, November 18 and 19. 

Visit Rio Salado's bookstore now

Bill Gates Visits Rio Salado College

Bill Gates, Dr. Chris Bustamante and Sue Desmond-Hellmann.

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and other leaders from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visited Rio Salado College on Thursday, Nov. 6 for a progress report on a student success program called RioAchieve, which is being developed by the college and supported by the foundation.

Maricopa Community College District Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper and Rio Salado President Dr. Chris Bustamante were among the key leaders from the District and college to greet Gates and foundation leadership.

“Having met with Bill Gates and members of his staff during their visit to Rio Salado College, I’m delighted that he and the Gates Foundation value their relationship with us so much that they personally visited Rio to see the college’s programs dedicated to student success,” said Glasper.

“It is not every day that Bill Gates pays you a visit,” said Bustamante. “This was a chance for us to give him a first-hand account about the innovative work we’re doing at the college and what we’ve been able to accomplish through RioAchieve.”

The foundation leadership team included CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann, President of U.S. Programs Allan C. Golston, U.S. Director of Education of Postsecondary Success Daniel Greenstein, U.S. Deputy Director of Postsecondary Success Suzanne Walsh, and U.S. Program Officer of Postsecondary Success Art Seavey.

Gates and the foundation leaders attended meetings with Rio Salado and MCCD leadership, members of the President’s Advisory Board, Rio Salado faculty, staff and students who are benefiting from RioAchieve. They also had a chance to see demonstrations of RioAchieve initiatives at work and learn what progress is being made in their use and development.

RioAchieve is funded by a $ $970,000 Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) grant, which was awarded to Rio Salado in October 2012. NGLC is a partnership led by EDUCAUSE, which is primarily funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. RioAchieve is designed to target five specific interventions that support student success, retention, and completion-- supported through technological innovations that allow them to be delivered in a scalable, sustainable manner. They are as follows:

1. RioCompass, an online interface that gives students a way to monitor their progress toward degree completion, access valuable student success resources and communicate with a dedicated advisor, who can in-turn use the system to get a holistic view of student progress by having access to their course enrollments, degree plan, requests for help records, use of tutoring, placement scores and more.

2. The Intervention Dashboard, Guided Intervention and Response (GIvR) collects data from several areas of the college and then automatically alerts appropriate staff to implement an intervention. The data includes activities such as calls for technology support, grades and instructor notes.

3. RioPACE (Progress and Course Engagement) is a predictive analytics system, which tracks student login frequency, site engagement and progress in a course and compares this data to behaviors of successful students to determine probability of student success.

4. The Guided Evaluation Assessment Response (GEAR) is a technology-based, faculty-developed solution that assists faculty in providing customized, personalized, detailed feedback to students on their assessments.

5. The Student Success Helpdesk is staffed with a Student Success Coordinator, dedicated advisors, and RioAchieve peer mentors—who are current students. The advisors regularly reach out to assigned students to monitor course and degree progress, ensure students are enrolled in the correct courses, assist with future enrollments and answer student questions. Mentors provide study tips, help students navigate student services and provide ongoing encouragement.

A luncheon was hosted with RioAchieve peer mentors and students who shared how their interactions and encouragement from advisors, faculty and staff have helped them persist in working toward their educational goals.

Shawn Lee and Brenda Moore

RioAchieve student Shawn Lee from Winslow, AZ attended the luncheon and spoke highly about RioCompass and peer mentors. “I use RioCompass as my guide,” said Lee. “I look at dashboard every day. It motivates me to go further. It provides a lot of info on where I need to be and what classes I need to take.”

Lee, who is pursuing a program of study in addiction and substance use disorders, also spoke at length about how positive his educational journey has been. “Rio has opened a lot of doors for me,” said Lee. “Working with advisors and peer mentors, they help me achieve my goals and get that quality education.”

RioAchieve student Brenda Moore from Scottsdale, AZ, who is finishing up her first semester, also attended the luncheon. “My advisors are awesome,” said Moore. “They have really been there for me and they took so much time out for me.”

Moore is returning to school after 31 years and studying addiction and substance use disorders. “I am thrilled to be back in school,” said Moore. She’s also benefiting from Rio Salado’s student support services and recommends other students do the same. “Take advantage of the people at Rio,” said Moore. “Go and ask questions. Get the info you need. Applied knowledge is power.”

Among the RioAchieve peer mentors was Samantha Hill, who is also a Rio Salado student.

“Although I was a little nervous at first, having the opportunity to meet with Mr. Gates and to express my thoughts and opinions was such an honor,” said Hill.


Hill, who is studying medical radiography, said she and the students had a chance to talk about their backgrounds and the challenges they have faced. “We also talked about how an online education made it possible for some of us to go to school because driving to class every day is not something we’re all able to do.”

Another topic was the support system of advisors and peer mentors. “As a peer mentor and student, I’m able to relate directly with students I work with and share my experiences with them,” said Hill. “I can help share some of the mistakes I made early on and what I wish I had known first starting out. I believe so many students could benefit from a model like this and by having a peer mentor.”

“Student perspectives are crucial in the development of RioAchieve,” said Bustamante. “We were truly impressed by Mr. Gates’ request to meet with students and were honored to help bring them together today.”

Photo 1 and 2 credit: (c) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation/Mark Makela

Native American Heritage Month Celebration 11/14

On your mocs. Ready. Set. Go-- to tomorrow's Native American Heritage Month and Rock Your Mocs Day celebration outside the Café at Rio in Tempe.

Enjoy special performances and presentations 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Share your Rock Your Mocs photos and stories on our Facebook page and with https://www.facebook.com/RockYourMocs using #RioSaladoCollege #RYM2014

Online Profiles Impact Job Seekers

Advanced technology has changed the world we live in and resulted in benefits that may not otherwise be possible. Keeping in touch with friends and family has become easier, access to information has increased, and, of course, what would the world be without online shopping!

Unfortunately, with all of these benefits, come a few negative consequences. Job seekers often forget how their online presence can negatively affect their prospects. Posting pictures of a wild party in college seems like a great idea until one considers that many employers complete Google searches when reviewing a potential employee. Although many consider their online activities to be personal in nature, employers see employees as ambassadors for their companies. This results in a blurring of the lines between personal and professional.

Ensuring a positive online presence is relatively easy. 

Start by Googling your name. Take the time to do a little digging to see what comes up. Review all social media sites—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter—and remove any posts and/or pictures that an employer may frown upon. Remove tags from friends’ pages that do not present you in a positive light.

Keep privacy settings as conservative as possible, but know that some employers request that potential employees log into personal accounts in their presence so they may review the content themselves.



It is much better to take a conservative approach when posting online in order to avoid scarring your reputation.

CPD102AC touches on these issues while teaching students creative job hunting skills.

Contributed by Rio Salado Counselor Amberly Lebeck-Brown on behalf of Rio Salado’s Counseling Services-- helping students with their personal, educational and career goals.

Free Veterans Workshops at EVVEC

Take advantage of the latest in-person workshops at the East Valley Veterans Center. 

Here's a look at what you can expect this month-- including an employment skills and financial literacy workshop this Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Scholarships = Free Money

Among the greatest concerns of new and returning students— and families funding their education— is how to pay for college now and the debt after graduation. Scholarships are one of the best ways to cover expenses because you don’t have to pay them back, yet so many students don’t take advantage of them, leaving thousands of dollars unclaimed. Why?

There seem to be a few misconceptions about scholarships. Among the most common is that applicants need to have a 4.0 GPA, long list of outstanding achievements and awards or a great financial hardship. While others think they don’t have the time, know-how or ability to submit a good essay or don’t think a $200 scholarship is worth their time.

This is definitely one of those scenarios where you won’t know for sure unless you investigate and give it a try. The few hours you spend on a scholarship application will be well worth the investment, at the very least, a good learning experience and practice at mastering the application process.

Case in point— there are dozens of scholarship opportunities made available through the Maricopa Community Colleges District Foundation (MCCDF) and students only have to complete one application for multiple scholarships.

Included are many opportunities for U.S. citizens with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a record of volunteerism and a determination to pursue higher learning, especially students who have a financial need. There are also a few opportunities for students with lower grade point averages.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars (NMPLS) Program is also included. It is available to Maricopa Community Colleges students who are: college-age youth and adults living with physical disabilities; adults 25 years or older with dependents; and incoming freshmen ages 18-25, raised through the child welfare system and have no form of financial support. The program covers full tuition, fees and books, while providing each student with an academic advisor and mentor. It also includes a $2,750 annual living allowance. Visit maricopa.edu/studentaffairs/ninascholars for eligibility definitions and more details.

There are ten scholarship opportunities specifically for Rio Salado College students and employees, including the We Are Rio Employee Scholarship fund and the new Arizona Public Service Foundation I2teach Scholarship Fund, which is helping adults who have a bachelor’s degree transition into teaching careers, especially those interested in teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) related classes.

Time is of the essence for the spring 2015 application. The deadline for most of the current listings is Nov. 15.

The web site for the application is maricopa.academicworks.com. Type “Rio Salado” into the search engine to find opportunities unique to the college.

MCCCDF scholarships are available annually, in the spring and fall. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be required in order to apply. To learn more, visit mcccdf.org.

Visit this Maricopa Colleges web page: http://ow.ly/DMrPW to watch a video tutorial about successful tips and strategies to consider in all of your scholarship applications. Rio Salado students who need additional help can reach college counselors at http://www.riosalado.edu/counseling/Pages/default.aspx.

There are dozens of other local and national scholarship opportunities—and other funding options to help reduce college debt. Visit this Rio Salado resource page to learn more: http://www.riosalado.edu/financial_aid/Pages/Scholarships.aspx.

This story can also be found in the Nov. 8, 2014 edition of the Tempe Republic. By Annette Flores, Manager of Rio Salado College Media Relations

Energy Systems Technology Information Session

To meet the demands of the growing field of building management, Rio Salado College offers a new certificate in Energy Systems Technology that begins January 12, 2015.

Interested in learning more? Join us for a free information session Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at RSC Downtown.

This session will provide students with a detailed overview of the certificate program and courses, and the tools you'll need to successfully complete all requirements.

To RSVP for this event, or for further questions, please contact:
Richard Cuprak
richard.cuprak@riosalado.edu 
480.517.8071

Information Session and in-person classes are at RSC Downtown:
619 N. 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85007

To learn more about this new Energy Systems Technology certificate, visit this blog post or www.riosalado.edu/energy.

Veterans Day Closure and Events

Rio Salado and the Maricopa Community Colleges will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Normal business hours will resume Wednesday, Nov. 12.

We are committed to serving veterans and their families, and we honor your service. We hope you'll let us serve you by taking advantage of Rio Salado's Military Advisement and the East Valley Veterans Education Center, which are designed to help you make the most of your higher education experience.

All ten Maricopa Community Colleges have been designated as 2015 Military Friendly Schools® by Victory Media. Each year, more than 10,000 VA-approved schools nationwide are surveyed. The list informs military students about the veteran experience based on peer reviews from current students. This is the seventh consecutive year Rio Salado has been acknowledged.

We hope you and your family enjoy this Veterans Day. Here's a list of Maricopa Community Colleges events to help you celebrate.

College	Select Veterans Day Event Information	Contact
Chandler-Gilbert	6th Annual Veterans Resource Expo. Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:00 – 4:00pm. Coyote Center Gym, Pecos Campus	Cathy Chlarson 480.732.7030
District Office	2nd Annual Veterans Day BBQ. Friday, Nov. 7 at 11:00am – 1:00pm. Governing Board Room (2nd Floor).	Andrew Tucker 480.731.8503
Estrella Mountain	Veterans Career Summit. Friday, Nov. 7 at 11:00am – 1:00pm. Estrella Conference Center	Karen Harbin 623.935.8054
GateWay	Veterans Day Resource Fair. Monday, Nov. 5 at 10:00am – 1:00pm. Amphitheater	Carlos Samano 602.286.8228
Glendale	Veterans Day celebration. Thursday, Nov. 6 at 10:00am GCC Central Mall	Heidi Capriotti 623.845.3805
Maricopa Skill Center	Free Haircuts for Veterans – entire month of November Main Campus, Northwest Campus and Cutting Edge Style Academy	Phoebe Volk 602.286-8229
Mesa	Veterans Day Poolooza.  Monday, Nov. 10 at 11:00am – 2:00pm. Center Courtyard	Dawn Zimmer 480.461.7892
Paradise Valley	Veterans Day Barbecue. Monday, Nov. 10 at 11:00am – 2:00pm.	Candace Oehler 602.787.6606
Phoenix	Annual Veterans Appreciation Day. Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:15am – 3:00pm. Hannelly Center Lawn	Megan Martin 602.285.7849
Scottsdale	Veterans Day Commemoration. Monday, Nov. 10 at 10:00am Two Waters Circle	Jonathan Higuera 480.425.6637