A Discussion about Arizona’s Opioid Epidemic

KJZZ Phoenix reporter Matthew Casey interviewed Rio Salado Faculty Chair of Addiction and Substance Use Disorders program Kirk Bowden about the opioid epidemic in Arizona-- and the increasing number of suspected deaths from overdoses.



Listen to the story now.

Join Us for VSUW Project Connect Surprise July 26

You still have time to join Rio Salado, the Maricopa Community Colleges, City of Surprise and Salvation Army for the Valley of the Sun United Way Project Connect in Surprise, July 26.  

This is your chance to help our West Valley neighbors in need and to help end homelessness!

Project Connect is part of Valley of the Sun United Way’s long-term, multi-faceted strategy to end homelessness in our community. This event offers instant access to resources people need to start the journey back to health, financial stability and housing. More than 28,000 individuals have been connected to services since Project Connect began in 2008.


Project Connect Surprise
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
The Salvation Army - Surprise
17420 N. Ave of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378

Volunteer Opportunities

Register now at volunteer.vsuw.org\volunteer. For groups of 10 or more, contact the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@vsuw.org.

Rio Salado employees and students should contact Elizabeth Cole-Fay at elizabeth.cole-fay@riosalado.eduelizabeth.cole-fay@riosalado.edu to learn more about Rio Salado team efforts.

Get the latest details about this event by visiting this web page.

How to Manage Stress Video for You!

Feeling stressed? This video from Rio Salado's Counseling team shares tips on how to recognize and manage stress.

Remember the 5 R’s when you feel stressed:

• Relax
• Regenerate
• Resolve
• Reward
• Recognize 

Need help managing stress? Contact a Rio Salado counselor at www.riosalado.edu/counseling.

RSVP for AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference, Aug. 5!

There's still time to reserve a space for Rio Salado's AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference, Aug. 5! It's a great way for Arizona educators to get a jump start on the new school year!

The conference provides hands-on professional development for pre-service teachers, educators and homeschooling parents who are looking for new ways to engage children with technology. Sessions will focus on leveraging educational technology to impact learning in innovative ways.

Keynote Jon Corippo will be joined by Lucy Gray, Kyle Brumbaugh, Robert Pronovost

Presenters are experienced K-12 teachers with a national presence in the ed tech world who will share several tools and ideas you can incorporate into your curriculum and classroom right away.

Workshop sessions include discussions about free and interactive tools to help you assess learning in your classroom no matter what grade level, instructional uses of YouTube, social media for personalized professional development and more.

Continuing education credits will be offered.

Register now at aztechconf.eventbrite.com
Registration is required. Cost $14, includes catered lunch.

AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference
Aug. 5, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rio Salado College Conference Center
2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281

Visit www.riosalado.edu/aztechconf or call 480-517-8743 for the latest event details. #AZTECHCon

Please note: Attendees are responsible for supplying their own laptops, tablets and chargers.

Presented by Rio Salado College's Educator Prep Program and National Science Foundation Noyce Scholar Program.

PTK Water & Toiletries Drive Huge Success!

A big thanks to the donors, volunteers, and all who helped make the Rio Salado Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter Water Bottle and Toiletries Drive an incredible success. 

And special kudos to the PTK team for spearheading the charitable project, which brought in 70 reusable water bottles, 949 tubes of toothpaste, 90 bottles of body lotion, 82 bars of soap and much more.

“The André House was absolutely thrilled when they saw the donations,” reports Evea Morrow, Rio Salado Honors Program Assistant. 

The André House was founded in 1984 by two Holy Cross Priests and is a ministry to the homeless and poor populations of the Phoenix area. Their services are available to hundreds of people in need every day.

Rio's MCOR Recognized for Resourcefulness

Maricopa Corporate College’s (MCOR) Chief Operating Officer Corey Pruitt and Director of Business Development Patricia O’Brien were interviewed by Education Dive reporter Linda Jackson about creative ways educational institutions are generating revenue.

The online news resource covers education news and recently published a story about how most of today’s colleges and universities must find additional revenue in addition to tuition and state funding to cover operating expenses.

The article featured MCOR as a model for providing non-credit training and professional development to employees of corporations, non-profit and government agencies to generate revenue for the Maricopa County Community Colleges District. MCOR is operated by Rio Salado College.

“There will always be the need for training and development, as the diverse needs of the business community are always shifting.” - Patricia O’Brien

Read the article now

Surprise LLC & Testing Centers Reopen Friday

Power at the Rio Salado Lifelong Learning Center and Testing Center in Surprise has been restored.  

We will reopen Friday, July 21.

Thank you for your patience.

Rio LLC Surprise Closed Due to Power Outage

The Rio Salado Lifelong Learning Center and Testing Center in Surprise are closed until further notice due to a power outage.

Visit www.riosalado.edu for the latest details.

Explore the Benefits of Rio's Honors Program!

If academic excellence is important to you and you’re looking to further challenge your critical thinking-- we encourage you to explore Rio Salado’s Honors Program—a pathway to help you make the most of your educational journey. 

The program offers a variety of benefits including distinguished multidisciplinary classes, cultural opportunities and scholarships specifically for Honors students.

Don’t count yourself out when it comes to Honors scholarships!  Case in point is the Honors Achievement Award.  It’s available to students who are also receiving financial aid and only requires part-time enrollment (6 or more credit hours per semester).

If you have completed 12 or more 100 or 200 level classes and have a GPA of 3.25 or higher with the Maricopa Community Colleges, you may be eligible to join.

To learn more about Rio Salado's Honors program, benefits and eligibility requirements, visit riosalado.edu/honors or call 480-517-8521.

6 Tips to Banish Test Stress

We’ve all felt anxious before taking a test. Being called upon to remember concepts, facts and skills learned in a class can cause stress. In fact, test anxiety is a fairly common experience. But it is not necessarily a bad thing.

Rio Salado counselor Autumn Cardenez has six tips to help you turn test stress into a positive way to prepare for your exams.

1. Hang out with a furry friend! Yes, play with an adorable animal for 15 to 20 minutes when feeling stressed out. If you do not have a pet of your own you can call on a friend or even visit a pet store. After playing with your friend you will feel rejuvenated and calm. It works!

2. Run! Going for even a 20-minute run releases feel-good endorphins to boost your mood and can help quiet an overactive mind. Try to fit in a quick jog after school and before you start studying so that you can hit the books with a clear mind.

3. Create something! Baking, drawing, writing, and playing music are all calming activities that will ease stress. Try baking a healthy protein packed breakfast recipe like these Egg Muffins. Not only are you easing your mind you’re feeding it what it needs to thrive.

4. Talk to someone! Keeping negative emotions bottled up will only make things worse. You can reach out to a friend or a family member or come see us at Rio Salado Counseling, call 480.517.8785 or find the nearest counseling center at riosalado.edu/counseling. Talking about the anxiety will often rob its power to alter your success.

5. Clean the clutter and organize your calendar! A clean working space equals a clean mind; you'll create a place that allows you to totally focus. Organize your calendar and plan your final projects, exam dates, and other things in your life.

6. The best remedy to alleviate stress is to be prepared. Study and take practice exams before scheduling your official testing session. Knowledge is power!

The best thing about tests and final exams is that they end! 

Here’s to a happy ending for you.

Contributed by Autumn Cardenez on behalf of Rio Salado Counseling, helping students with their personal, educational and career goals.

Volunteer to End Homelessness, July 26!

Rio Salado is partnering with the Maricopa Community Colleges, City of Surprise and Salvation Army and to host a Valley of the Sun United Way Project Connect event on July 26, 2017, at the Salvation Army in Surprise to help our West Valley neighbors in need.

Project Connect is part of Valley of the Sun United Way’s long-term, multi-faceted strategy to end homelessness in our community. This event offers instant access to resources people need to start the journey back to health, financial stability and housing. More than 28,000 individuals have been connected to services since Project Connect began in 2008.


Check out this video for more details.

Project Connect Surprise
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
The Salvation Army - Surprise
17420 N. Ave of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378

Volunteer Opportunities

Most volunteers work one-on-one with guests, escorting them through the array of service providers available on site. The guest guide role is a supportive position that encourages a connection between individuals. Other roles available to volunteers include registering guests, serving food, distributing clothes, assisting with the guest check-out area and event clean-up.

Register now at http://volunteer.vsuw.org\volunteer. For groups of 10 or more, contact the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@vsuw.org.

Maricopa Community Colleges employees are encouraged to register as volunteers through the Maricopa Learns through Service HCM portal. For questions, please contact Dee Dee Tapson at 480-731-8299 or via email at creative.pathways@domail.maricopa.edu.

Rio Salado employees and students should contact Elizabeth Cole-Fay at elizabeth.cole-fay@riosalado.edu to learn more about Rio Salado team efforts.

Test-Taking Tips to Help You Succeed!

Do you get stressed out by the thought of taking tests? You’re not alone! 

This video by the Rio Salado Counseling team shares success tips to help you improve your test-taking skills.

Check out additional test-taking strategies at www.riosalado.edu/counseling/academic-success.

Still Time to RSVP for AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference

Get a Jump Start on the New School Year with Rio Salado's AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference, Aug. 5!

This conference provides hands-on professional development for pre-service teachers, educators and homeschooling parents who are looking for new ways to engage children with technology. Sessions will focus on leveraging educational technology to impact learning in innovative ways.

Presenters are experienced K-12 teachers with a national presence in the ed tech world who will share several tools and ideas you can incorporate into your curriculum and classroom right away.

Workshop sessions include discussions about free and interactive tools to help you assess learning in your classroom no matter what grade level, instructional uses of YouTube, social media for personalized professional development and more.

Continuing education credits will be offered.

Register now at aztechconf.eventbrite.com
Registration is required. Cost $14, includes catered lunch.

AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference
Aug. 5, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rio Salado College Conference Center
2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281

Visit www.riosalado.edu/aztechconf or call 480-517-8743 for the latest event details. #AZTECHCon

Please note: Attendees are responsible for supplying their own laptops, tablets and chargers.

Presented by Rio Salado College's Educator Prep Program and National Science Foundation Noyce Scholar Program.

Rio Grad Gloria Mendoza Honored by PTK National

Gloria Mendoza was one of 31 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members honored with the Distinguished Chapter Member Award. She was recognized at the PTK 2017 annual convention in April and was presented with a commemorative medallion.

This award is given to students who embody the Hallmarks of the Society – scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

Gloria was nominated by fellow Rio Salado PTK Alpha Theta Omicron chapter members for her contributions to chapter activities, including the 2016 Honors-in-Action project.

Award winners were selected by a panel of judges from among the 143 nominees that were received internationally.

Congratulations, Gloria!

Learn more about Gloria in this RioNews blog.

Smarthinking Free Online Tutoring Services

Did you know you can receive online tutoring from a tutor with a master’s degree or Ph.D. – for free? Yes, Rio Salado offers on-demand, online tutoring through Pearson’s Smarthinking, which is available when you log into any course in RioLearn. 

You can be sure that the Smarthinking tutors are qualified to help you -- ninety percent have either a master’s degree Ph.D. in their fields, and average 12-years of teaching or tutoring experience.

Tutors are capable of helping with complicated subjects, including one that many students request help with – writing. Solid academic writing is a skill needed to succeed in college. You can choose from four Smarthinking tutoring options to get help with your writing:

1. Work with a tutor - This is a drop-in session, but you can also schedule a tutoring session in advance or just submit a question.
2. Submit a question – Send a question to a tutor and you will receive a response within 12 hours.
3. Submit my writing - This is the most popular option, allowing you to submit your writing assignments for review.
4. Review my sessions and submissions – Get feedback on previous assignments.

Additionally, in the “Submit my writing” option you can choose from several writing categories including essays, grammar and documentation, paragraph review, resume and cover letter, career writing subjects, business writing, nursing, and allied health essays. 

As an enrolled Rio Salado student, all of these valuable resources are free-of-charge. Take advantage of the online tutoring services anytime you log into your courses on RioLearn to help you complete courses, continue with your education, and complete your degree.

Contributed by Elena Matus McDonald on behalf of Rio Salado Counseling, helping students with their personal, educational and career goals.

Study Skills & Time Management Tips for You!

This video from Rio Salado's Counseling team provides an overview of three critical things to keep in mind if you want to improve your study skills and time management habits:

• Calculate your time commitment
• Learn how to study
• Create a study schedule

Take advantage of other study tips and resources at www.riosalado.edu/counseling

Free ACCUPLACER Test-Prep Classes July 17-27

Take advantage of in-person ACCUPLACER Readiness classes at Rio Salado, July 17-27!

ACCUPLACER tests determine your knowledge in math, reading and writing as you prepare to enroll in college-level courses. The tests are used to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each subject area and to help you improve your skills through interactive online learning tools.

Rio Salado will host two sets of in-person ACCUPLACER Readiness Summer Success Camps to help students prepare for the tests.

Register Now: Summer Success Camp Registration Form

RSC-Southern
3320 S. Price Road
Tempe AZ 85282
480-377-4150

RSC-Avondale
420 N. Central Avenue
Avondale 85323
480-377-4400

Class Times: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Space is limited.

Why is the ACCUPLACER so important?

Results of the assessment, along with your academic background, goals and interests, are used by academic advisors and counselors to place you in the appropriate college courses that meet your skill level.


Learn more about ACCUPLACER tests and resources at http://www.riosalado.edu/testing/placement/Pages/placementtest.aspx

AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference Prep for School Year!

Rio Salado AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference Helps Educators Get a Jump Start on the New School Year!

This Aug. 5, 2017 conference provides hands-on professional development for pre-service teachers, educators and homeschooling parents who are looking for new ways to engage children with technology. Sessions will focus on leveraging educational technology to impact learning in innovative ways.

Keynote Speaker Jon Corippo will be joined by Lucy Gray, Kyle Brumbaugh, Robert Pronovost

Presenters are experienced K-12 teachers with a national presence in the ed tech world who will share several tools and ideas you can incorporate into your curriculum and classroom right away.

Workshop sessions include discussions about free and interactive tools to help you assess learning in your classroom no matter what grade level, instructional uses of YouTube, social media for personalized professional development and more.

Continuing education credits will be offered.

Register now at aztechconf.eventbrite.com
Registration is required. Cost $14, includes catered lunch.

AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference
Aug. 5, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rio Salado College Conference Center
2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281

Visit www.riosalado.edu/aztechconf or call 480-517-8743 for the latest event details. #AZTECHCon

Please note: Attendees are responsible for supplying their own laptops, tablets and chargers.

Presented by Rio Salado College's Educator Prep Program and National Science Foundation Noyce Scholar Program.

Friday Closure and Summer Hours Reminder

As a reminder, the Maricopa Community Colleges and most Rio Salado locations are closed Fridays during the summer. 

The following Rio Salado services are available on Fridays:

• Testing Centers at Tempe, Northern, the Life Long Learning Center in Surprise and the Communiversity at Queen Creek 
• Dental Clinic
• All services at Communiversity of Queek Creek
• SPOT 127

Students are encouraged to use self-serve enrollment options at My.Maricopa.edu.

Please note: Admissions & Records, Financial Aid, Academic Advisement and the Cashier’s Office will resume regular business hours beginning August 7. 

The Maricopa Colleges and other Rio Salado services will resume regular business hours Aug. 14. 

Visit this web page for details about closures and special service hours for all locations throughout the year.

Communiversity at QC Back Open

Attention: The Communiversity at QC water main break has been repaired. 

The facility will reopen at 11 a.m.

We appreciate your understanding.

Please check azcommuniversity.com for the latest updates.

Communiversity at QC Closed Until Further Notice

Attention: The Communiversity at Queen Creek is closed for the rest of the day and tomorrow due to a water main break.

All classes are cancelled and the Rio SaladoTesting Center is closed until further notice.

We may have the problem resolved in time to reopen the facility tomorrow afternoon.

We will provide updates as soon as possible.

Please check azcommuniversity.com for the latest updates.

Help End Homelessness with United Way July 26!

On any given day, thousands of people experience homelessness in Maricopa County. Many of these individuals and families are experiencing homelessness for the first time and require only temporary assistance to get back on their feet. 

Rio Salado is partnering with the Maricopa Community Colleges, City of Surprise and Salvation Army and to host a Valley of the Sun United Way Project Connect event on July 26, 2017, at the Salvation Army in Surprise to help our West Valley neighbors in need.

Project Connect is part of Valley of the Sun United Way’s long-term, multi-faceted strategy to end homelessness in our community. This event offers instant access to resources people need to start the journey back to health, financial stability and housing. More than 28,000 individuals have been connected to services since Project Connect began in 2008.


Who Can Benefit From the Event?
All individuals and families who are in need of assistance with housing, shelter, benefits, identification and other basic health and human services. Services are concentrated on helping people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

What Kind of Services Will be Available?
Employment services, medical and health care, affordable rental services, clothing, personal care items, spiritual support, behavioral health, substance abuse services, shelter providers, haircuts, food, showers, DES, Social Security, Veteran benefits and more.

Check out this video for more details.

Project Connect Surprise
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
The Salvation Army - Surprise
17420 N. Ave of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378

Volunteer Opportunities

Most volunteers work one-on-one with guests, escorting them through the array of service providers available on site. The guest guide role is a supportive position that encourages a connection between individuals. Other roles available to volunteers include registering guests, serving food, distributing clothes, assisting with the guest check-out area and event clean-up.

Register now at http://volunteer.vsuw.org\volunteer. For groups of 10 or more, contact the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@vsuw.org.

Maricopa Community Colleges employees are encouraged to register as volunteers through the Maricopa Learns through Service HCM portal. For questions, please contact Dee Dee Tapson at 480-731-8299 or via email at creative.pathways@domail.maricopa.edu.

Rio Salado employees and students should contact Elizabeth Cole-Fay at elizabeth.cole-fay@riosalado.edu to learn more about Rio Salado team efforts.

SPOT 127 Podcasting Workshop Scholarship!

SPOT 127 East Valley will host the Freedom Project Summer Podcasting Workshop July 10-14, 2017. 

The workshop is open to high school aged students, and will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily, with a breakfast and lunch provided by St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Thanks to a $2,000 grant from the MAXIMUS Foundation, 15 student scholarships (valued at $125 each) will be available for students to attend the podcasting workshop.

Kristy Roschke

“The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, on behalf of Rio Salado College and SPOT 127 Youth Media Center, is grateful to the MAXIMUS Foundation for providing the opportunity for the Freedom Project podcasting workshop,” said Kristy Roschke, Executive Director of the SPOT 127 Youth Media Center.

Students who participate will learn how to develop podcasts from SPOT 127 instructors Rick Fowler and Trevor Gahona.

Dr. Wanda Tucker, Rio Salado’s Faculty Chair for Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Psychology, will facilitate discussions around the topic of freedom.

Wanda Tucker

“We can't think of a better partner in this project than Dr. Wanda Tucker, whose talents and knowledge of philosophy will foster students' critical thinking as they also sharpen their media production skills,” Roschke said.

The Freedom Project is a collaboration between Rio Salado College and KJZZ’s SPOT 127 Youth Media Center.

SPOT 127's mission is to help high school students find their voices and engage in their communities by developing skills in digital media, radio, and journalism.

The public is invited to hear the finished podcasts at a Community Listening Party at noon on Friday, July 14 at SPOT 127 East Valley.

Students who wish to enroll can visit https://spot127.org/content/spot-127-summer-programs.

Freedom Project Podcasting Workshop
SPOT 127 East Valley/Rio Salado College
3320 S. Price Road Tempe 85282
July 10-14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Breakfast and Lunch provided courtesy of St. Mary's Food Bank

Friday Closures & Special Hours Reminder

As a reminder, most Rio Salado and Maricopa Community Colleges are closed Fridays during the summer.

The following Rio Salado services are available:

• Testing Centers at Tempe, Northern, the Life Long Learning Center in Surprise and the Communiversity at Queen Creek
• Dental Clinic
• All services at Communiversity of Queek Creek 
• SPOT 127

We will resume regular hours beginning August 14.

Please visit this web page for links and details about closures and special service hours for each location.

Students are encouraged to use self-serve enrollment options at My.Maricopa.edu.

Swank Digital Campus

Introducing Swank Digital Campus!

Rio Salado students, faculty, and staff now have streaming access to 50 major motion pictures across a variety of genres. Titles range from classics like Singin’ in the Rain to thrillers like Jason Bourne. See the following for a full list of available titles:

28 Days	Jason Bourne
About a Boy	The King’s Speech
Amelie	La Bamba
An American in Paris	Leap Year
Apollo 13	Life is Beautiful
A Beautiful Mind	The Majestic
Benny & Joon	Moonlight
Billy Elliot	My Fair Lady
Bless Me, Ultima	No Impact Man
Bonnie & Clyde	Notting Hill
The Bourne Identity	Penelope
The Bourne Supremacy	Pleasantville
Bridget Jones’s Diary	The Proposal
Chicago	The Queen
Crash	Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Dark Knight	Rear Window
Defending Your Life	Singin’ in the Rain
Do the Right Thing	Splendor in the Grass
Forrest Gump	Spotlight
Ghost World	Stand and Deliver
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets	Stranger Than Fiction
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	Strangers on a Train
A History of Violence	Strictly Ballroom
The Importance of Being Earnest	The Truman Show
It Happened One Night	You’ve Got Mail

Check out Swank Digital Campus today! (Note: You may need to use your RioLearn username/password to access the collection.)