Rio Ranks Top 3 On List of Phoenix Colleges

Have you heard the news? Rio Salado College ranks in the top 3 among the largest Phoenix-area colleges and universities.

Serving more than 21,000 Fall enrollees in 2019, Rio Salado College is proud to be one of the largest colleges in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Check out the Phoenix Business Journal article here.

Don't Miss Out On Your Chance At $40,000 Towards College

Are you a student who excels in the classroom? Are you making an impact in the community? If so, the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship may be right for you.

With up to $40,000 per year for educational expenses, the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship selects the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities.

Rio Salado students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, a record of school/community service and some level of financial need are encouraged to apply.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. To apply or determine eligibility, click here.

You can also call 480.517.8050 or contact StudentLife@riosalado.edu if you need help applying.

Help Shape The Lives Of The Future With Early Childhood Development

Do you want to make a lasting impact in your community? A career in early childhood development can put you on the path to playing an important role in the lives of youth.

Our Early Childhood program provides opportunities for career entry or professional development. The programs are designed to be incremental and sequential – one level is incorporated into the next level.

If you’d like to learn more about our early childhood education program, please take a moment to watch this video that will provide some insight into the many rewards and benefits of this career path. You can also click here for more information.

Veterans Day Closure

Rio Salado College will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in observance of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 to honor persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Locally, you can show support for veterans at the 2019 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, which takes place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

The parade starts at Montebello and Central avenues in Phoenix. Find more info on the the parade here.

November Is Native American Heritage Month... Let's Celebrate

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with us all through November.

Native American Heritage month started in 1915 when an art director, who was also a Seneca Indian, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “first Americans.”

In 1916, the governor of New York declared the second Saturday in May as “American Indian Day.”

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.”

Click here to learn more about Native American Heritage month.

Veterans... You're Hired

Are you a veteran looking for work? The HeroZona National Veteran Summit will be hosting a hiring expo, connecting vets directly with recruiters and hiring managers from local and national companies.

The event will also feature workshops on professional development, entrepreneurship, job search tools and there will also be experts on hand to help with resume creation.

When: Thursday, Nov. 7.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The event is free and open to active duty services members, guard and reserve members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers.

All registered veteran and military spouse job seekers who attend the hiring expo are eligible to receive up to two free tickets to the Phoenix Suns – Miami Heat basketball game.

Register today.

Do You Struggle With Hunger? We Have Options

Did you know one in seven people struggle with hunger in Arizona? On any given day, thousands of students struggle with chronic hunger, which means they may not know where they’re going to get their next meal.

Are you struggling with hunger? Let us help you.

We’re prepared to provide emergency relief services to Rio Salado College students across the country through a non-profit meal delivery service.

Remember, you are not alone. Do not hesitate to contact one of our counselors if you need help overcoming food insecurities interfering with your academic performance. Call 480.517.8785 or click here for immediate assistance.

Rio Salado Northern Testing Center Closed Nov. 1-2

The testing center at Rio Salado Northern will be closed Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, for building renovations. The center will reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019

Dental Continuing Education... Learn At Your Own Pace

Did you know Rio Salado College offers non-credit online and hybrid courses that provide continuing education hours for the registered dental hygienist and dental assistant?

With online accessibility and classes that start every Monday, it allows students the freedom to work at their own pace prepare for the Dental Assisting National Board exams.

Students will receive hands-on training during in-person labs in courses such as Coronal Polishing, Dental Radiology, Fluoride Update and more.

Contact our dental department today to learn more. Call 1.800.729.1197 or visit us online.

Rio Salado’s Academic Advisement and Financial Aid departments Closure 11/1/2019

Closure alert for students!

Rio Salado’s Academic Advisement and Financial Aid departments will be closed on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., so staff can attend a student success conference.

Winning Ways For The Rio Waves

Congratulations are in order after a big win for Rio Salado College. Rio Salado’s Adults Achieving a College Education (Adult ACE) program received the 2019 First Generation Advocate Award.

Hosted by Northern Arizona University with attendees and nominations from nearly a dozen states and colleges, it was an honor for Rio Salado College to be recognized with this award. Representatives from those states and colleges shared best practices on:

· Advocating for the first-generation students

· Educating institutions about what first gen students are and what they aren’t

· Supporting these students as they realize their potential.

Did you know 78 percent of our students are the first generation in their family to attend college? Rio Salado’s Adult ACE program serves adults 16-70 years of age who are pursuing a high school equivalency diploma, and, initially in many cases, don’t plan to continue to college.

The Adult ACE program offers students a scholarship, a dedicated program specialist who is with them from the day they start, a prescribed class sequence with classes taken one at a time, and a cohort of students who will be their peers from day one.

“I am proud to know that MCCCD and Rio Salado have been consistently supportive and dedicated to the success of the first-generation students,” said Kate Packer, Rio Salado Instructional Services Manager.

Learn more about FirstGeneration Student Success.

No Waitlists for Rio Salado GED & ESL Students

What is the state of adult education in Arizona? This azcentral story by reporter Lily Altavena provides insights into adult education funding and waitlists— and the lives of students who found a pathway through Rio Salado College’s GED® Prep and English as a Second Languages classes— which do not have waitlists.

Then check out this KJZZ follow up interview between Lily Altavena and The Show’s Lauren Gilger to get additional details.

Ready to go back to school? We’re ready for you. Get started now at www.riosalado.edu/abe.

Pictured above are Rio Salado GED Prep students Melina Gutierrez and Ruth Camacho who shared their story with reporter Lily Altavena.

Rio Salado College Wins 2019 NACCE Fast Pitch Competition and People’s Choice Award

Rio Salado College’s Incarcerated Re-Entry (IRE) team won the Fast Pitch Trades Competition at the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) annual conference in Newport Beach, CA on Oct. 15, 2019. The prize, $21,000. The team also took home the People’s Choice Award, which included a $1,000 cash prize.

The fast pitch entry was submitted by Rio Salado Faculty Chair of Applied Technology Rich Cuprak, who took to the stage with Rio Salado IRE Director Lisa Preston, to make a compelling case for funding to purchase electronic training kits.

The training kits will help IRE students at Perryville and Lewis prisons learn skills that are in high-demand in the Construction-Electric industry. These additional skillsets will help increase their prospects for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities— and hopefully reduce their rates of recidivism.

“Funding is tight, and we didn’t have the resources to procure these training kits, so this award means a great deal to us and the students we serve,” said Rich Cuprak.

“This win is really about the students, said Lisa Preston. “The money will go a long way in helping them to hone skills necessary to gain employment, which will increase their chances of success upon release. I am so fortunate to be a part of a program that, through education, provides individuals the opportunity to turn their lives around.”

Pictured above (left to right): President and CEO of the NC IDEA Foundation Thom Ruhe, Rich Cuprak, Lisa Preston, Incoming CEO of the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Carlene Cassidy, The Lemelson Foundation Coordinator Rachel Brunette and Founder of the Manodharma Raj Rajagopal.

Are You Taking Advantage of These Discounts?

Everyone loves a great deal, right? How about thousands of great deals?

Take advantage of being a Maricopa Community College student and sign up for Maricopa Perks to access exclusive offers and discounts.

The PerkSpot is where students can find discounts in nearly 25 different categories on a wide range of items.

Sign up and start saving today.

Have You Checked Out FATV?

How much is it going to cost to sign up for all my classes? 

How much will books cost? When do I have to pay? How am I going to pay for all of this?

If you have any of these financial aid questions, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with FATV Get Answers videos. 

Students can check out a series of videos to help navigate the financial aid process. What is financial aid? How do I apply for financial aid? Do I qualify for financial aid? Find the answers to these common questions and more through FATV.

Check it out now.

Veterans... Are You Ready For Your Interview?

Are you a veteran looking for work?

Come out to the Veteran Hiring Expo at GateWay Central City Campus on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019.

This is NOT a career fair. All candidates are pre-matched for interviews to be conducted the day of the event. Vets will meet with employers who value their skills and experience.

Come dressed for success and bring copies of your resume.

This event is for U.S. veterans, transitioning military members, disabled veterans and military spouses.

If you want to be a part of this event, Register Now.

Thank you for your service.

#RioWaves #MilitaryVets

Celebrate National Food Day with Our Sustainable Food Systems Program

With National Food Day approaching on Oct. 24, there are a number of ways to celebrate! Check out this Q&A interview with our Cafe at Rio Program Director, Michael Hodgins, as he shares his views about this important holiday.

Q. Why is National Food Day so important?
A. National Food Day is important because it raises awareness about food issues in the United States. Things like hunger, food justice, food health and education, sustainable growing practices, fair treatment of food workers and farm animal welfare, to name a few.

Q. How can people celebrate National Food Day?
A. There are many meaningful ways to celebrate National Food Day! People can celebrate by going to a planned event, like the Phoenix Food Day & Healthfest celebration on October 26, 2019 (at the Cartwright Community Garden, 4208 N. 51st Ave. from 9am to 2pm). Or folks can visit a farmer’s market and purchase local produce to come home and prepare with family and friends.

Q. How does the Café @ Rio celebrate local food choices and sustainable food systems?
A. At the Café @ Rio, we like to think of every day as food day. We are committed to serving fresh foods that nourish the body and soul. As such, we have an onsite garden used by Sustainable Food Systems students, and the fresh produce is used by the Café @ Rio. On Thursday October 24, 2019, the Café @ Rio will even be featuring Farm-to Fork specials to celebrate National Food Day.

Q. How can people create their own sustainable food system or incorporate local food choices at home?
A. At Rio Salado College, we look at sustainability as, “meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” If you add the word "food" into that statement, it becomes, “meeting the food needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own food needs.” A sustainable food system uses practices that work in tandem with the Earth, rather than depleting its natural resources. Some ways to eat more sustainably include buying from local farms to reduce food miles and increase nutrient density, eating a more plant-based diet, eating lower on the food chain, and eating foods that are in-season.

Q. Do you have any favorite "healthy choice" recipes that you would like to share with us?
A. Yes! You can check them out here.

Want to learn more about our Sustainable Food Systems program? Check out our website here!

Faculty Chair Awarded for Fighting Opioid Epidemic

Dr. Kirk Bowden has sounded a battle cry for years about the way the United States should treat addiction and the opioid epidemic.

Dr. Kirk Bowden

“The solution is education,” said Bowden, a nationally recognized addictions and counseling expert who serves as Rio Salado College’s Faculty Chair of Addictions and Substance Use Disorders and Professor-in-Charge of Ottawa University’s Addiction Counseling Program.

His message is being echoed by other behavioral health specialists and finally gaining traction among local and federal agencies and community leaders.

“Prison is not the answer,” said Bowden. “We need to treat addiction as a disease, not as a crime and the only way we’re going to do this is through education. I’m talking about education for people living with addiction, their loved ones and service providers— especially their medical doctors and therapists— really all of us.”

Bowden at 2019 NAADAC
Award Ceremony 

Bowden was recognized this October for his efforts to champion addictions education by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, which honored him with the 2019 Educator of the Year Award. He was also recognized by the International Coalition for Addiction Studies Education (INCASE), which presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award named after Dr Dick Wilson, a renowned California addiction counselor, educator and pioneer in establishing and upholding academic accreditation standards for addiction counselor programs.

“[Bowden] has successfully advocated nationally and in the state of Arizona for improving addiction counselor education and licensing standards.” Said former INCASE President Dr. Edward Reading, who presented Bowden with his lifetime achievement award at the NAADAC conference in Orlando, Florida earlier this month. “His successful efforts provide for greater protection of the public and improves the perception of addiction counseling professionals.”

“Bowden has written more than 30 addiction counseling courses and spends countless hours with students in-person, on the phone, and electronically to help them succeed and achieve their educational goals,” cites a recent NAADAC press release. “He has worked diligently to build outstanding addiction counselor education programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a mentor to many, Bowden leads by example and shows his students how to navigate the addiction profession and provide the best care for the clients they serve.”

Bowden is a resident of Gilbert, Arizona who is originally from Vernal, Utah. He began his career in addictions counseling education 30 years ago.

Rio Salado hired Bowden in 1997 to chair its in-person Chemical Dependency Counseling Program, which at the time was serving a small cohort of 50 students— most of whom were in addiction recovery and trying to juggle full-time jobs, families and their schoolwork. Bowden began pioneering online learning with the college to make learning more accessible. Since then, he has personally developed and produced more than 30 online addiction counseling courses, which now serve nearly 5,000 students annually as part of the college’s Addiction and Substance Use Disorder program.

“We are deeply honored by Dr. Bowden’s long-time dedication, passion and leadership,” said Interim President Kate Smith. “We owe a debt of gratitude to him for his relentless pursuit to help people recover from addiction.”

Bowden has worked with Rio Salado faculty, other experts in the field and accrediting addictions and counseling agencies to create educational content to help professionals stay relevant, informed and connected.

Bowden at 2017 ACA 
Congressional briefing

Bowden has received numerous awards and appointments for his outstanding achievements in addiction and counseling education through the years and has been invited to provide expert advice and testimony about opioid use, including a Congressional briefing about the nation’s opioid epidemic hosted by the American Counseling Association in April 2017.

As a longtime advocate for continuing education and a proponent for establishing standards for addictions counselors and educators, Bowden has worked to create change in the classroom, through policy and by leading grassroots efforts. Among his priorities has been a call for state behavioral health regulatory/licensing boards to implement a requirement that behavioral health professionals have addiction-specific education and experience before practicing addiction counseling independently. Most states still do not have this requirement.

Bowden at 2015 Rosalynn Carter 

Symposium  on Mental Health Policy

“What we find a lot of times is that individuals who are providing service have no education, experience or training in addictions,” said Bowden. Most counselors, social workers, psychologists are not required to have a background in addictions. What’s frightening is that these individuals are practicing outside of their scope.”

“The people of this country need to be protected and deserve to have counselors who are educated, well-informed and knowledgeable about the latest issues, treatments and news about addiction treatment and recovery,” said Bowden. “It’s up to us to lead the charge to resolve this conflict by staying informed and relevant, by increasing awareness about the importance of counseling and empowering the people we serve with information and resources to overcome addiction.”

Bowden and his collaborators develop coursework for professionals and non-professionals alike.

“Many of our students are parents, teachers and social workers, who, through their daily lives and jobs, encounter people with addiction issues,” Bowden said. “They complete our seminars and courses for a variety of reasons.”

“Most of us are affected by the opioid epidemic,” said Bowden. “It’s difficult to escape when 130 people die from opioid overdose every day and more than 700,000 lives have been claimed from 1999-2017. We’re in this together, and the only way out is together— and through education.”

Rio Salado College is the only community college in Maricopa County designed to offer classes that meet academic requirements for licensing through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and serves as one of the largest addiction studies programs in higher education. The college offers online classes, certificates, an Associate Degree in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders and continuing education coursework, which are accredited by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators and the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission.

Visit www.riosalado.edu/ASD for more details.

Kirk Bowden, PhD, MAC, NCC, LPC, is a member of the American Psychological Association's Society of Addiction Psychology board of directors and past president of NAADAC. He has served as the chair of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and chair of its Substance Abuse Counselor and Professional Counselor Credentialing Committees. Bowden is a board member and past president of INCASE.

By Rio Salado College Media Relations Manager Annette Flores

Take A Stand Against Cheating

Integrity is a big part of education, and it starts with you. Join us today as we take part in International Contract Cheating Day.

Contract cheating happens when someone completes academic work for another who then submits it for academic credit. Contract cheating accounts for about 1/5 of the plagiarism in papers submitted to popular online submission sites.

Head over to our Facebook page and drop a comment telling us why academic integrity is important to you.

To learn more about contract cheating, please click HERE.

What Did You Learn During Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up today. How did you celebrate?

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

The September 15 to October 15 dates for Hispanic Heritage Month correlate to the independence day of seven Latin American countries.

Today may be the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, but you can learn about contributions of Hispanic Americans all year long.

Are You Speaking Out Against Domestic Violence?

Did you know domestic violence affects millions of women and men each year?

Help us spread the word this month as we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Throughout October, we seek to raise visibility for those affected daily by physical, emotional or mental abuse.

Statistics show women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence – nearly 3x the national average.

If you or a loved one is a victim of domestic violence, there are resources available that can help. Specialists are available 24/7/365 to talk confidentially with anyone dealing with domestic violence.

Use This Month To Spread Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Help us spread awareness and give support to those who have been affected by breast cancer.

Did you know breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?

While you can’t prevent cancer, it’s important to be proactive about your health.

How can you get involved? Some ways for you to raise awareness are to wear pink, share your story on social media or donate to an organization supporting research and treatment of those diagnosed.

To learn more about breast cancer and how you can spread awareness, click here.

Apply For Your Share of $2.5 Million Before It's Too Late

Make paying for college a little bit easier with Maricopa Community College Foundation scholarships.

Remember, MCCCDF Scholarships + You = Success! Take advantage of the opportunity at more than $2.5 million in scholarships. Make sure you apply before the October 13 deadline:

There are hundreds of scholarship opportunities for students and a streamlined process that only requires general application. There are even several scholarship opportunities for Rio Salado College employees and students specifically.

Type “Rio Salado” into the search engine to find opportunities unique to the college.

To find the right scholarship for you, click here.

Columbus Day Closure At Luke A.F.B.

Our Rio Salado Luke Airforce Base location will be closed Monday, Oct. 14 for Columbus Day, a federal holiday observed by the Air Force. www.riosalado.edu/locations/lafb

Are You Protecting Your Digital Privacy?

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, so before you log-in, make sure ti protect your digital privacy.

There are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re CyberSmart.

The first step is to Own IT:

• Keep tabs on your apps

• Update privacy settings

• Never Click and Tell

The second step is to Secure IT:

• Shop safe online

• Create strong, unique passwords

• Turn on multi-factor authentication

• Be wary of online strangers

The third step is to Protect IT:

• Update to the latest security software, web browser and operating systems.

• Stay protected while online: Wi-Fi safety

• Keep customer/consumer data and information safe

For more information on how to be CyberSmart, please click HERE.

Enroll In Spring 2019 Classes Today

Are you enrolled in classes for this Spring?

Kick off your educational journey with Rio Salado College. Whether you want to learn a new skill, take a class for fun or work toward your associate degree, you can do it all here at Rio Salado.

Meet with an academic advisor and find the spring schedule that works for you with online, hybrid and flex start classes available.

Why wait? Enroll in Spring 2019 classes today for lower tuition, top-notch instructors and smaller class sizes.

Current students can say their spot with priority registration for Spring 2019, starting October 4. Your future is calling.

New to Rio Salado College? Try These Student Success Tips to Help Along the Way

A big welcome is in order for our new Rio Salado College students!

We want you to succeed at Rio Salado and to help make that happen, below are a few Student Success Tips you can follow to start off on the right path to success.

Students can visit our Academic Advisement webpage to select degree pathways, review transfer credits, schedule a meeting with an academic advisor and more! Students can also check out our Counseling and Career Services webpage to schedule an appointment with a counselor to discuss things such as career planning, strategies for overcoming stress or any concerns interfering with your academic success.

Do you prefer digital resources? 

Head over to our YouTube channel for Student Success Tips videos! You’ll find helpful videos on “How to Pay for College,” “Study Skills and Time Management Tips,” “Test-taking Tips” and more!

You can also find useful tips in our Welcome to Rio Salado College YouTube videos.

Here you can:

· Learn the Rio Salado enrollment process

· Understand block calendars

· Find out if dual enrollment is right for you

We also encourage you to get involved in Rio Salado student life activities! By taking part, you’ll increase your chances for success in the classroom, develop life and career-building skills, meet and network with other students and community members and help make a difference in other peoples' lives.

Visit RioSalado.edu to learn more.

Make Your Vote Count, Register Today

Are you ready to hit the polls? Make your vote count. Register now!

“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man… all Americans must have the right to vote, and we are going to give them that right.” – President Lyndon B. Johnson

For more information, visit

https://azsos.gov/elections/voting-election/register-vote-or-update-your-current-voter-information

https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/

It's Hispanic Heritage Month. Let's Celebrate!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Rio Salado College.

Each year from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage month is recognized by celebrating histories, cultures and contributions from those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The mid-September dates coincide with the independence days of seven Latin American countries. The observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month was passed into law in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.

If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, The Rio Salado Library Guide outlines events and activities across the Maricopa Community Colleges District and around the valley.

Are you ready for lunch? Head over to Café @ Rio for Hispanic Heritage Month cafe specials.

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.

Celebrate #BannedBooksWeek!

September 22-28 is Banned Books Week. 

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The Rio Salado Library is proud to participate in Banned Books Week. Check out the following resource for more information, including common reasons books are banned and links to banned books that you can check out from Rio and other MCCCD Libraries!

Rio Salado Library: Banned Books Week Guide

Celebrate America’s Online Community College!

You’re all invited to come and party with us tomorrow, Sept. 24 as our National Division celebrates and recognizes the work we do serving out-of-state students, as well as the success we’ve had in the last year since the National division was launched to serve as America’s Online Community College TM!

Join our staff and other students for a free breakfast courtesy of the Café at Rio, served up with some entertainment at our KJZZ/K-BACH Soundbite AZ truck, which will be parked near our Hohokam building, right by the electric car powering stations.

Rio National Division Celebration

Sept. 24, 2019

8-10 a.m.

Rio Salado College Headquarters

2323 W. 14th St.

Tempe, AZ 85281

Bring your friends and family, then share your selfies, group photos and stories on social media using the hashtag #RioNationalDivision.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Visit national.riosalado.edu to learn more about our Rio National Division.

Free and open to the public.

Financial Aid Office Limited Availability

Rio Salado’s Financial Aid department will be closed for two hours on both Sept. 24 & Sept. 25, 2019, so staff can attend important college meetings. The department will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 1:15-3:15 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 9:45-11:45 a.m. 

Students are welcome to use self-service options at RioSaldo.com/financialaid.

Celebrate Constitution Day at Rio Salado

Today we invite everyone to join us in celebrating Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1789.

Each year we honor the importance of the U.S. Constitution and recognize the document as establishing America’s national government and fundamental laws, guaranteeing certain basic rights for all citizens.

How well do you know the U.S. Constitution?

Visit our Facebook page at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to test your knowledge in our Constitution Trivia Contest for a chance to win a swag bag full of prizes! Then join a Facebook live discussion with Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes at 11 a.m. via Facebook Live.

In the meantime, explore the history of Constitution Day with the Rio Salado Library. Check out this guide with facts, videos and more!

Stay tuned to our Facebook page throughout the day for more announcements!

Constitution Day Contest and More, 9/17!

Today marks the beginning of Constitution week!

Join students, faculty and staff in commemorating the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.

This week’s events include:

· Facebook U.S. Constitution Trivia Contest! (9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.)

· Facebook Live Discussion w/ Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes (11 a.m.)

· And more!

Visit our Facebook page to enter the contest.

Tempe Testing Busy 9/14, Northern Closed 9/16!

Attention test-takers! Please take note of these Rio Salado testing center updates and plan accordingly.

Tempe Testing Busy, Saturday, Sept. 14

We're expecting a high volume of test-takers at our Tempe Headquarters Testing Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, which may cause wait times and delays. To avoid delays, please consider visiting one of our other testing centers at Northern, Surprise, and Communiversity at Queen Creek.

Northern Testing Closed, Monday, Sept. 16

Our Northern Testing Center will be closed for maintenance on Monday, Sept. 16. Need an alternative? Look for a testing location near you at www.riosalado.edu/testing.

We appreciate your understanding!

The best to you on your next test.

Librarian House Calls 24/7!

Need a librarian-- in the middle of the night? Ask a Librarian was made for you!

Get help 24/7 with:
●  Starting your research
●  Searching smarter and faster
●  Finding articles, books, and media
●  Citing sources and more!

The librarians are quick to reply-- and available when you need them most. Ask a Librarian is designed to help you succeed!

Celebrate Constitution Day Live, Sept 17

Join Rio Salado and the Maricopa Community Colleges as we celebrate Constitution Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17 with Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, who will host a discussion about the Constitution via Facebook live at 11 a.m. Set a reminder now.

We encourage students, faculty and staff to join in on the conversation.

Constitution Day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution and also serves as a day to recognize those taking steps towards U.S. citizenship. We take pause each year to honor and reflect upon the importance and meaning of the Constitution and to encourage students and the communities we serve to join us. Learn more now at constitutioncenter.org