Rio Salado Community College
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| Established | 1978 |
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| Type | Community College |
| President | Linda Thor |
| Students | 20,000 |
| Location | Tempe, Arizona |
| Website | www.rio.maricopa.edu |
Rio Salado Community College, known as "the college without walls," is a part of the Maricopa Community Colleges and has never built a traditional campus. Rather, from its Tempe, Arizona administrative headquarters, Rio Salado utilizes technology and forges partnerships to deliver educational opportunities to diverse populations throughout Maricopa County and around the world.
Rio Salado College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
[edit] History
Rio Salado was established in 1978. According to college sources, "it was designed to be the college that provided education to the underserved and unserved geographic areas of Maricopa County...Rio Salado has evolved into one of MCCCD’s fastest growing colleges, with a focused mission to create convenient high-quality learning opportunities while specializing in customized unique programs and partnerships, accelerated formats, and distance delivery." [1]
The college began offering online courses over the Internet in 1996.
[edit] Model Programs
- League for Innovation in the Community College: Innovation of the Year Award for Online Post Baccalaureate Teacher Education
- American Dental Association: Presented to Arizona Dental Association on behalf of its partnership with Rio Salado College for Online Clinical Dental Assisting
- National Council of Instructional Administrators: Exemplary Initiative Award in Workforce Development for Online Clinical Dental Assisting
- U.S. Department of Education: #1 ranking to Rio Salado College for awarding more occupational certificates than any other community or technical college
Proposition 301 Funds: $75,600 for Online Post Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation
Proposition 301 Funds: $125,250 for Online Nursing
[edit] Awards and honors
Distance Learning
Sloan-C Award: "Excellence in Online Access" Lumina Foundation for Education: $200,000 Grant for Rio Salado e-learning solutions
President's Awards
Chair Academy: 2003 Paul A. Elsner Excellence in Leadership Award to Dr. Linda Thor Today's Arizona Woman: Million Dollar Club to Dr. Linda Thor
Today's Arizona Woman: Top 100 Women In Business Award to Dr. Linda Thor
Individual Faculty/Staff Recognition
Association of Community College Trustees, Western Region: William H. Meardy Faculty Award to Laura Helminski, Faculty Chair, Communication and Reading Women's Leadership Group Woman of Distinction: Jo Jorgenson, Director of Continuing Education and Community Partnership Programs at Rio Perryville and Rio Lewis
Student Awards
USA Today, American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society: All USA First Academic Team, Chris Burton USA Today, American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society: All Arizona First Academic Team, Chris Burton and Jeanette Chervenka
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society: Arizona New Century Scholar Award, Chris Burton
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, International Awards to Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter:
Most Distinguished Chapter in the state (fifth consecutive year) Top 10 Hallmark award for Fellowship Top 10 Hallmark award for Service Top 25 Distinguished Chapter Internationally Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, State Awards presented to Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter:
Most Distinguished Chapter in the State, (fifth consecutive year) First Place: Scholarship Hallmark (second consecutive year) First Place: Service Hallmark (fourth consecutive year) First Runner-Up: Fellowship Hallmark Second Runner-Up Leadership Hallmark Distinguished Chapter Officer for Region: Dawn Sears Distinguished Chapter Advisor for Region: Barry Wukasch Marketing National Council for Marketing and Public Relations: Two National Paragon Awards for marketing excellence National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, District 6: Four Regional Medallion Awards for marketing excellence
Radio Stations Scottsdale Center for the Arts: KJZZ-FM and KBAQ-FM honored as its "Promotional Partners of the Year" Associated Press, Arizona Awards presented to KJZZ-FM:
First Place News Writing (Doug Ramsey) First Place Enterprise (Doug Ramsey) First Place Use of Sound (Doug Ramsey) First Place Public Service (Abigail Beshkin) First Place Serious Feature (Mark Moran) Second Place Public Service (Dennis Lambert) Second Place Serious Feature (Mark Moran) Second Place Sports Reporting (Mark Brodie and Steve Goldstein) Third Place Series (Abigail Beshkin)
