By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Two Rio Salado College dental hygiene students have received 2025 scholarships to help offset the cost of their college expenses. Fall scholarships are now open – apply by April 30, 2025.
Arazu Rivera – 2025 Chancellor’s Scholarship
Like many of us, Arazu Rivera got braces in junior high school. But unlike most people, the experience helped to shape her career aspiration.
“Since that moment, I wanted to be an orthodontic assistant,” Rivera said. “So I enrolled in a dental assistant program to better prepare for that position.”
Her career path took a slight detour after hearing a lecture from a dental hygienist.
“The way she spoke about it really interested me, especially because I had been super set on not going to a college or university,” Rivera said. “Ever since that moment, I have wanted to pursue a dental hygiene career because of the time flexibility and pay.”
Rivera began to research her education options to make her dream a reality.
“I had already been looking into different dental hygiene schools and I chose Rio because of the affordability,” Rivera said. “Debt is something I wanted to avoid and Rio provided me with the best opportunities.”
As an honors student, Rivera was eligible to apply for several scholarships to help pay for her college tuition and expenses.
“Receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship was a blessing,” Rivera said. “It offers amazing support and provided me relief that I wouldn't have to worry how I'll cover school for the upcoming semesters.”
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is awarded annually to an Honors Achievement Award student and covers one year of full in-county tuition (up to 18 credits per semester), fees and $250 for supplies.
Rivera is on track to graduate in December with an associate degree in dental hygiene, but her learning won’t stop there.
“My goal is to become a licensed dental hygienist and make patients feel comfortable,” Rivera said. “I also think that this career will open other opportunities. I hope to further my career by getting a bachelor’s degree to teach in a classroom as an instructor for incoming students.”
Brianna Aguilar-Garcia – 2025 Foundation Scholarship
When choosing a dental hygiene school, Brianna Aguilar-Garcia looked no further than Rio Salado College thanks to the program’s reputation.
“I chose Rio Salado because the past hygienists I’ve worked with graduated from there,” Aguilar-Garcia said. “Although the program is challenging, they had nothing but great things to say about the education and instructors.”
She initially chose the dental field because of the opportunity to help people.
“I chose to pursue dental hygiene because I believe dental care is incredibly important,” Aguilar-Garcia said. “It’s often overlooked that a person’s dental health is directly linked to their overall health.”
Aguilar-Garcia recently received a 2025 Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Scholarship, which is awarded to an Honors Achievement Award student enrolled in six or more credits with a GPA of 3.25 or higher, and offers up to $1,000 for the academic year.
“I am so grateful to receive this scholarship because it acknowledges both my academic and societal achievements,” she said.
Aguilar-Garcia is looking forward to graduating in December, and the new career path that will follow.
“The degree I’ll earn in December will be the start of a whole new life,” Aguilar-Garcia said. “I’ll be able to work and provide dental hygiene care almost anywhere. What I’m most looking forward to is being happy in my chosen career and work environment.”
After working in the field, Aguilar-Garcia hopes to give back by training future dental hygiene students.
“One day, I hope to take over my current instructor’s role and train future dental hygienists,” Aguilar-Garcia said. “I never expected to be interested in education, but my love for hygiene and my desire to help others have made me reconsider. Overall, I just hope to be a great dental hygienist for my community.”