A Big Welcome to KY and PA Students

Kentucky and Pennsylvania are now members of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) -- meaning residents in those states can enroll in Rio Salado online courses.

This brings the current total number of SARA states to 44 as well as the District of Columbia. The National Council for SARA defines SARA as, "a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of post secondary distance-education."

SARA makes it easy for students to take online college courses in another state and also helps with improving consumer protection. 

Rio Salado is proud to be a SARA participating institution. 

Rio Salado provides distance-education to students in other SARA states to help them achieve their educational goals. As more states partake in SARA, Rio can increase its efforts to help students learn, grow, prepare, and kick-start their careers.

Connecticut and New York passed legislation toward SARA membership-- so keep your eyes open for news on those states in the future!



For more information about SARA or the programs and classes available in your state, please visit this web page contact Alison Hahn at alison.hahn@riosalado.edu.

 #NCSARA #AZSARA #Online #OnlineLearning #OnlineCollege #DistanceEducation #DistanceLearning #OnlineEducation #OutofStateEducation #Pennsylvania #Kentucky #PA #KY

Teacher-In-Residence Orientation 12/7

Rio Salado’s Teacher-In-Residence (TIR) intern program provides a convenient and cost-effective way for students and working professionals with a bachelor’s degree to transition into a K-12 teaching career.  Join us for a free orientation session to learn more!

When: Dec. 7, 2016
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Where: The Rio Salado Conference Center
2323 W. 14th St. Tempe, AZ 85281

Register Now!

Through paid employment opportunities in the classroom, students can earn an income while completing the certification coursework. The program can be completed in two years and is available to Arizona residents only.


Attendees will learn about:

• Teacher-In-Residence Program requirements
• Program expectations and support
• Registration process

Visit Rio Salado’s TIR web page or call 480-517-8140 for more information.

Inspirational Video from Phi Theta Kappa

Change your story! Check out this inspirational video from Rio Salado's Phi Theta Kappa - Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges. It is the largest honor society in American higher education.

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship while also promoting leadership, service, and fellowship.

Alpha Theta Omicron is the Rio Salado chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Members of Alpha Theta Omicron meet regularly to discuss chapter needs and concerns. They actively promote scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.

They are always looking for new members.

Visit this webpage to find information on how to join Rio Salado College's Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter!

#changeyourstory #PhiThetaKappa #AlphaThetaOmicron #RioSaladoCollege #PTK

President Bustamante Supports Women Leaders

Rio Salado President Chris Bustamante joined more than 500 leaders in higher education from across the nation to support the American Council on Education’s (ACE) initiative, Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership.

The campaign launched in 2016 and encourages colleges and universities to increase awareness by signing a statement of support to advance qualified women into senior leadership positions in higher education.

Supporting institutions pledge to provide opportunities for emerging women leaders to gain the skills and experiences needed to advance and to encourage qualified women to seek the highest positions of leadership.

Visit this web page to learn more about this initiative.

#RioSaladoCollege @riosaladoonline #HigherEd #Highereducation #Womenleaders #Womeninhighereducation

Tamale Making Workshop Sold-Out!

We are sorry to announce the Tamale Fiesta Community Cooking Workshop on Dec. 10 is sold-out. The good news is there are still openings for the Nov. 22 Perfect Pie Crust and Pumpkin Pie for Beginners workshop!

Visit www.riosalado.edu/cafe and click on the Community Education Workshops tab to enroll.

Perfect Pie Crust & Pumpkin Pie for Beginners
$35 each or $60 for two
Tue., Nov. 22
5 - 8:30 p.m.

Holiday Stress Tips to Keep You Merry & Bright

It's beginning to feel like I have way too many things to do and not enough hours in the day.

Sound familiar? The holidays can be delightful and stressful. Whether you're traveling somewhere snowy or staying home to enjoy the Valley sunshine, stress can easily creep up on you.

The Rio Salado Counseling team has some tips about stress management and resources that can help you through this busy time. Here is what Elena Matus McDonald has to say about holiday stress.

We all experience varying levels of stress at different points in our lives. Sometimes stress increases or decreases during certain times of the year for various reasons. However, it seems that the holidays, in particular, tend to induce higher levels of stress for many, whether it’s due to financial concerns, family issues, traveling demands, and/or a multiplication of errands and tasks, just to name a few. How we manage or cope with stress depends on our emotional resilience.

Researchers Steven Southwick and Dennis Charney (2012) investigated the topic of emotional resilience for two decades. Southwick and Charney examined prisoners of war, survivors of abuse, and tracked underprivileged children into adulthood and found ten keys to emotional resilience. Their fascinating exploration revealed the following factors contributed to the emotional resilience, and ultimately, these individuals’ success in life:

1)  Realistic optimism

2)  The confrontation of fear

3)  Exercising morals 

4)  Spiritual faith 

5)  A support system

6)  Role models

7)  Physical exercise

8)  Lifelong learning

9)  Flexibility

10) Acquiring meaning

So, it is important to take a moment to evaluate your stress levels frequently and assess your emotional resilience. When you are feeling overwhelmed, especially as the holidays approach us and all your daily demands begin to pile up, explore ways to manage stress effectively. One excellent way to start this process is by reading Southwick and Charney’s (2012) work and visiting the article "Emotional Resilience: How to Boost It With 10 Research Backed Secrets." You can also visit Rio Salado’s Stress Management online tutorial to further assess ways to help you manage stress. Then, either discuss your perceptions and thoughts with a peer, co-worker, mentor, instructor, relative, counselor or any person you are comfortable with to engage in a dialogue about this topic. Or another option is to start a journal that records your feelings or perspectives about the stress in your life and brainstorm ways you can increase your emotional resilience to better manage stress. 

Contributed by: Elena Matus McDonald   

MCCCD Transformation Meetings 11/28 & 12/5

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) Governing Board is holding two special meetings for the public to learn more about the MCCCD’s proposed transformation of District governance to a regional model. 

The meetings will include a presentation by Chancellor Maria Harper-Marinick.

Meeting Times and Locations:
Monday, Nov. 28 

7-9 p.m.
Glendale Civic Center - Sapphire Room 

Monday, Dec. 5 

7-9 p.m. 

Mesa Convention Center - Palo Verde Ballroom 

Visit this web page for the latest details about this meeting.

Tamale Making Workshop | Saturday, Dec. 10

IT'S A TAMALE FIESTA!

Rio Salado's next Community Cooking Workshop will focus on Tamale Making, Dec. 10.

This is the next in a series of in-person cooking and gardening lessons hosted by Café at Rio chefs and the Sustainable Food Systems team.

Visit Café at Rio and click on the Community Education Workshops tab to enroll.

Workshops will take place at the Café at Rio, at the Rio Salado headquarters in Tempe.

No tests, no grades -- just delicious fun in the kitchen!


Saturday, Dec. 10
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
$29 each or $50 for two, Café at Rio
Work with a professional chef to make green chile chicken and red chile pork tamales. You'll watch a chef make tamales as you follow along. The best part? Eating what you make for lunch!

Please note, proper kitchen attire is required including close toed shoes, long pants, long or short sleeve shirts and hair restraints.

#Foodie #Tempe #Arizona #tamale #fiesta #workshop #cooking #Sustainable
#DateNight #nomnom #yum

Our Commitment to Inclusion & Respect

Here's an important message from Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Maria Harper-Marinick about our ongoing commitment to inclusion and respect.

Dear Maricopa students and employees,

During this time of change in our country, never has it been more important to come together and focus on our shared values of diversity and respect to make Maricopa a stronger, kinder, and more inclusive community for all people. Since last Tuesday, students have been contacting many of us to express their concerns and fears regarding changes in policies that may impact their access to education. Potential changes to national immigration, education, and economic policies are not yet known and neither is their impact but we, as a system, will adapt as needed and will continue to serve all students with excellence. In the meantime, we remain committed to providing safe places for engagement, courageous conversations, and learning; places where all people should be treated with dignity.

Our colleges play an essential role in promoting civic engagement, civil discourse, and community building, and we take our responsibility seriously. We must model the way through open and respectful dialogue. Changes in life and changes in the world are inevitable. I encourage you to support each other during uncertain times, and to help those who may feel unsure of their place in society. Let’s embrace the Guiding Principles of MCCCD and continue to promote Freedom, Honesty, Fairness, and Caring in the work that we do and in our interactions with each other.

Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D. Chancellor

Thanksgiving Week Special Hours & Closures

Rio Salado and the Maricopa Community Colleges will be closed Thu. – Sun., Nov. 24-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Some Rio Salado locations, services and testing centers will be available on Sat., Nov. 26. Please visit our location pages for details about special hours and services available.

Please also take note of special hours of service for locations, Mon. – Wed., Nov. 21-23. Most offices will close at 5 p.m. Testing centers will be open for regular hours Mon. - Tue., Nov. 21-22 and closing at 5 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 23.

We will resume regular business hours on Mon., Nov. 28.

Services normally available 24/7 such as RioLearn, Technology Support Helpdesk, Ask a Librarian and My.Maricopa.edu will remain available.

Here's a look at other student services that will be available to you during the Thanksgiving break: 

LOCATION	DATES OPEN FOR SERVICE	HOURS
RSC Financial Aid	Throughout the break	24/7 phone service
RSC Technology Helpdesk	Throughout the break Saturday, Nov. 26	24/7 phone service 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
RSC Tempe Testing	Saturday, Nov. 26	8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
RSC Tempe Computer Lab	Saturday, Nov. 26	8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
RSC Tempe Tutoring	Saturday, Nov. 26	9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
RSC Northern Testing	Saturday, Nov. 26	8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
RSC Northern Computer Lab	Saturday, Nov. 26	9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Comm QC Testing	Saturday, Nov. 26	8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lifelong Learning Center Testing	Saturday, Nov. 26	8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We hope you enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

What's Cooking Cuba? Pudin de Pan!

Forget the fruitcake! We found your holiday party's next big hit. With spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this Cuban bread pudding will be sure to add some cheer to your holiday menu.

Recipe for Cuban Bread Pudding - Pudin de Pan

INGREDIENTS:
1 loaf day-old Cuban bread, cut in one-inch cubes (approximately 10 slightly packed cups. Use a high quality bakery loaf as a substitute).
6 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white sugar 1 lemon peel, grated
1/3 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 stick butter, melted
2 tablespoons dark rum 1 can evaporated milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 cups raisins
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 lemon peel, grated
2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 stick butter, melted
1 can evaporated mil
2 cups raisins

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350º F.

1. Take your raisins and soak them in four cups of hot water until they plump up, about 30 minutes.
2. Use an electric mixer to beat the white sugar, brown sugar, and the eggs until creamy. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Beat until frothy.
3. Add the melted butter, whole milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and beat until well blended.
4. Lightly butter a 9” x 13” pan. Arrange the bread cubes in the pan, scatter the plumped raisins among the bread, and slowly pour in the milk mixture
5. Bake in the oven for about one hour. You can tell it is done when the entire top puffs up and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Today marks the end of our International Education Week celebration. We hope you enjoyed the events, activities and festivities-- and that you will continue to celebrate diversity and engage in the dialogue! Learn more about this annual U.S. Department of State initiative at IEW.state.gov.


 #Rio2016InternationalEdWeek #IEW2016 #RioSaladoCollege #CelebrateDiversity

Explore Cuba Today!

The last stop on our International Education Week tour is Cuba!  Here's a look at ways to explore the rich culture, food, music and history of this enchanting island in the Caribbean.
 

• Cuba Display: Near Café @ Rio and Amphitheater 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Themed Videos and Library Display: Café at Rio, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Activity: Crafts near Amphitheater, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Café at Rio Lunch Special: Pollo Cubano with Moros, Platanos Maduros Fritos and Ensalada de Col, $6.99

Dance to Cuban music near the Café at Rio, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Library Resources

The Rio Salado Library has produced a multi-media Cuba guide for you. Included are books, eBooks, streaming films, selected library databases and more -- hand-picked by the library team for this year's event. Check it out now online. Please note, you must be logged into RioLearn to access.


International Quiz
Test your international savvy by taking the Rio Salado's International Education Week Quiz! Download the quiz now!

Submit your answers to thewave@riosalado.edu by Friday at noon and you'll be entered to win a prize.

Daily Prizes!
All International Education Week participants will be entered into a drawing to win a prize. One entry per person per day. Participants are required to sign in for in-person activities hosted at the Tempe headquarters to be eligible. Can't make an event? Submit a photo and caption of a related activity to crystal.lopez@riosalado.edu to be entered into the drawing.

Stay up-to-date and engage in the dialogue: #Rio2016InternationalEdWeek #IEW2016 #RioSaladoCollege

International Education Week is an annual initiative led by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to help promote the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Rio Salado is proud to take part in the bureau’s efforts to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange that assist in the development of peaceful relations.