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Rio Salado College will celebrate the accomplishments of the 2010-11 graduates at a commencement ceremony May 4 at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix. The free ticketed event begins at 7 p.m. The theme for the evening is New Horizons, New Beginnings with Catherine Hendrickson and Reco A. Jackson as featured student speakers.

Hendrickson overcame much adversity to earn her Associate in Applied Science in chemical dependency. She is a reentry student who began her college education while incarcerated. Read more…

EDUCAUSE, the association for information technology in higher education, recently announced that Vernon C. Smith, vice president for academic affairs at Rio Salado College, has been appointed to the EDUCAUSE Board of Directors. Smith assumes the seat vacated by Linda Thor, chancellor of Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, who recently resigned due to conflicting commitments.

Smith has an extensive background in organizational effectiveness, including strategic planning and change. As faculty chair for foreign languages, Smith was a pioneer in online language courses and programs and served as faculty senate president. Read more…

In an effort to expand student services, Rio Salado College at Paradise Valley Mall is moving to a new location on June 24-26, 2011. The new facility will be located at 1715 W. Northern Avenue in Phoenix. The Rio Salado College @ Northern facility will feature a testing center, computer lab, ABE classes and WestMECs clinical dental assisting program. The new facility opens for business on Monday, June 27. For updated information about the move, and additional testing locations during June 24-26, visit

In an effort to expand student services, Rio Salado College at Paradise Valley Mall is moving to a new location on June 24-26, 2011. The new facility will be located at 1715 W. Northern Avenue in Phoenix. The Rio Salado College @ Northern facility will feature a testing center, computer lab, ABE classes and WestMECs clinical dental assisting program. The new facility opens for business on Monday, June 27. For updated information about the move, and additional testing locations during June 24-26, visit

Tempe residents can now purchase locally-grown organic and pesticide-free produce at Rio Salado as part of the college’s efforts to support sustainability through Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA).

“CSA’s have been around for decades, but have gained steam recently as people look at sustainability and local food movements,” said Elizabeth Cole-Fay, Director of Community Partnerships at Rio Salado.

Rio Salado College serves as a drop-off location for Love Grows Farms. Each we Read more…