In a groundbreaking celebration, Rio Salado College, together with Maricopa Community Colleges, will mark a milestone this spring with its first-ever bachelor's degree graduates. This landmark event will take place during the spring commencement ceremonies at Arizona Financial Theater on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Rheanan Heller, 24, a paralegal, new mother, and newlywed, will be the first to walk the stage in honor of her accomplishment: completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration degree. Heller, alongside fellow Rio Salado bachelor’s degree graduate Amanda Jansen, is one of more than 2,800 students enrolled in bachelor’s programs across the Maricopa County Community College District.
"Offering bachelor's degrees at community colleges transforms the educational landscape,” said Rio Salado College President Dr. Kate Smith. “It enhances our role in workforce development, providing our students with limitless opportunities to thrive in high-demand careers. These graduates are not just earning degrees; they’re making history.”
Students began enrolling in Rio Salado’s two bachelor’s degree programs in Spring 2023 with upper division courses beginning in Fall 2023. In addition to Public Safety Administration, Rio Salado offers a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education.
Starting her journey at Rio Salado in 2019, Heller earned two associate degrees before transitioning to the bachelor’s program, which provided her with more than 80 credits toward her bachelor’s degree.
“It really just took putting my nose to the grindstone,” Heller said of quickly completing the program. “I always took a full-time course load every term. One semester, I carried 21 units. I didn’t know anything but go, go, go.”
Heller plans to take the LSAT in June with a goal of enrolling in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Fall 2025.
The rapid expansion of Rio's bachelor’s programs, with more than 270 students currently enrolled, follows the 2021 legislative approval by then-Governor Doug Ducey, which allowed community colleges to confer four-year degrees.
"This is a significant moment for Maricopa Community Colleges as we celebrate our first bachelor’s degree recipients during Rio Salado's commencement ceremony,” said MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. "I am extremely proud of what we, as a system, have been able to accomplish in only a few years. From receiving authority in 2021 to launching programs last fall, to witnessing our students cross the stage with their bachelor's degrees this spring, these graduates will leave an everlasting mark on Maricopa’s history.”
Laura Liuzzo, Rio Salado Faculty Chair of Administration of Justice Studies and Paralegal programs, also shared her excitement for the future: “This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting journey for our graduates, and I am confident that they will continue to achieve remarkable things.”
“This marks an historic moment for the Maricopa Community Colleges,” Governing Board President Bitter Smith said. “These degrees will award students endless opportunities as they head into the workforce after their educational experience,” President Bitter Smith continued. “On behalf of the Governing Board, I am extremely proud of these students and our faculty and staff for making these competitive and most affordable degrees possible for our future leaders.”
“I think it’s wonderful and very appropriate that Rio Salado College should award the first community college bachelor’s degree in Arizona,” said Dr. Linda Thor, MCCCD Governing Board member and Rio Salado President Emeritus. “Rio Salado was there from day one–envisioning and advocating for this degree.”
Heller will join more than 360 Rio Salado graduates who have signed up to take part in Rio Salado’s commencement at 7 p.m. on May 2, 2024, at Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Ms. Jansen will not be able to attend.
Rio Salado College welcomes media to schedule interviews with Rheanan Heller and Dr. Kate Smith in the days leading to or at the commencement venue before 5 p.m. on May 2. Post-event video interviews will be available. Rio Salado can also provide pre-recorded interviews.
For more information about Rio Salado College and its programs, visit RioSalado.edu.