Lennon Audrain
Jackie Elliott
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Rio Salado College is proud to join the national observance of Community College Month, which is celebrated every year in April.
As one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), Rio Salado offers a variety of online classes and programs tailored to working adults and underserved student populations.
“We know choosing a community college isn’t just a smart decision— it’s often the best decision students make,” said Rio Salado College President Kate Smith. “Rio Salado exists for our community, to meet its needs, reflect its potential, and open doors of opportunity to everyone.”
Historically, community colleges provide affordable education options for students across the United States.
According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 10.5 million students were enrolled in community college in 2023-24, up from 8.6 million students in 2022-23.
In Arizona, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) educates more Arizonans than any other college or university in the state.
“Each day, our expert faculty, staff and instructors help expand the minds of more than 140,000 learners,” said MCCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzales. “Our expansive footprint, comprising 10 colleges and 31 satellite locations, ensures we meet students where they are, in the neighborhoods they call home.”
Community College Grads Aim High
Students cite many reasons for choosing community college, including low-cost tuition, flexible class schedules, transfer opportunities, and career and vocational training that can lead to employment and advancement.
Many colleges employ adjunct faculty who are professionals in their field, so students benefit from quality instruction at a fraction of the cost of a four-year institution.
Meet Lennon Audrain
Other students like Lennon Audrain use their community college education as a springboard to a university degree.
“I came upon Rio Salado’s website and saw that they had an associate of arts degree in elementary education,” Audrain said. “Rio’s portfolio of online courses made it possible for me to earn my associate degree five months before I graduated from high school.”
In 2017, at the age of 17, Audrain completed his associate degree in elementary education from Rio Salado College, and transferred to Arizona State University (ASU). By 2021, he had earned two master’s degrees from ASU and Harvard University. In 2023, Audrain completed a Ph.D. in educational policy and evaluation at ASU.
Today Audrain is a research assistant professor in ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
“As a community college teacher education program graduate myself, I know how important community colleges are in the journeys of so many teachers across the country,” Audrain said.
Meet Jackie Elliott
Rio Salado College alum Jackie Elliott, who served as 2023 student commencement speaker, said online classes were the only way she could reach her career goals.
“I chose Rio because I needed my courses to be all online,” Elliott said. “As a working parent, attending classes on a college campus was out of the question. Rio was the difference between me being able to go to school or not.”
Elliott completed an associate degree in addictions and substance use disorders.
“I am using this degree as a steppingstone to become an addiction counselor,” Elliott said. “I decided that if I went back to school, I wanted to pursue a career that had meaning to me.”
Notable Community College Alumni
If you attend or graduate from community college, you’re in good company. According to USNews.com, these are just a few notable names who either took classes or earned an associate degree at a two-year institution:
- Annette Bening
- Jessica Chastain
- Beverly Cleary
- Guy Fieri
- Morgan Freeman
- Tom Hanks
- Bryce Harper
- Jackie Robinson
- Aaron Rodgers
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Amy Tan
- Gabrielle Union
- Robin Williams