Explore the Benefits of Rio Salado's Honors Program!

If academic excellence is important to you and you’re looking to further challenge your critical thinking-- we encourage you to explore Rio Salado’s Honors Program—a pathway to help you make the most of your educational journey. 

The program offers a variety of benefits including distinguished multidisciplinary classes, cultural opportunities and scholarships specifically for Honors students.

Don’t count yourself out when it comes to Honors scholarships!  Case in point is the Honors Achievement Award.  It’s available to students who are also receiving financial aid and only requires part-time enrollment (6 or more credit hours per semester).

If you have completed 12 or more 100 or 200 level classes and have a GPA of 3.25 or higher with the Maricopa Community Colleges, you may be eligible to join.

To learn more about Rio Salado's Honors program, benefits and eligibility requirements, visit riosalado.edu/honors or call 480-517-8521.

6 Tips to Banish Test Stress

We’ve all felt anxious before taking a test. Being called upon to remember concepts, facts and skills learned in a class can cause stress. In fact, test anxiety is a fairly common experience. But it is not necessarily a bad thing.

Rio Salado counselor Autumn Cardenez has six tips to help you turn test stress into a positive way to prepare for your exams.

 

1. Hang out with a furry friend! Yes, play with an adorable animal for 15 to 20 minutes when feeling stressed out. If you do not have a pet of your own you can call on a friend or even visit a pet store. After playing with your friend you will feel rejuvenated and calm. It works!

2. Run! Going for even a 20-minute run releases feel-good endorphins to boost your mood and can help quiet an overactive mind. Try to fit in a quick jog after school and before you start studying so that you can hit the books with a clear mind.

3. Create something! Baking, drawing, writing, and playing music are all calming activities that will ease stress. Try baking a healthy protein packed breakfast recipe like these Egg Muffins. Not only are you easing your mind you’re feeding it what it needs to thrive.

4. Talk to someone! Keeping negative emotions bottled up will only make things worse. You can reach out to a friend or a family member or come see us at Rio Salado Counseling, call 480.517.8785 or find the nearest counseling center at riosalado.edu/counseling. Talking about the anxiety will often rob its power to alter your success.

5. Clean the clutter and organize your calendar! A clean working space equals a clean mind; you'll create a place that allows you to totally focus. Organize your calendar and plan your final projects, exam dates, and other things in your life.

6. The best remedy to alleviate stress is to be prepared. Study and take practice exams before scheduling your official testing session. Knowledge is power!

The best thing about tests and final exams is that they end! 

Here’s to a happy ending for you.

Contributed by Autumn Cardenez on behalf of Rio Salado Counseling, helping students with their personal, educational and career goals.

Volunteer to End Homelessness, July 26

Rio Salado is partnering with the Maricopa Community Colleges, City of Surprise and Salvation Army and to host a Valley of the Sun United Way Project Connect event on July 26, 2017, at the Salvation Army in Surprise to help our West Valley neighbors in need.

Project Connect is part of Valley of the Sun United Way’s long-term, multi-faceted strategy to end homelessness in our community. This event offers instant access to resources people need to start the journey back to health, financial stability and housing. More than 28,000 individuals have been connected to services since Project Connect began in 2008.


Check out this video for more details.

Project Connect Surprise
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
The Salvation Army - Surprise
17420 N. Ave of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378

Volunteer Opportunities

Most volunteers work one-on-one with guests, escorting them through the array of service providers available on site. The guest guide role is a supportive position that encourages a connection between individuals. Other roles available to volunteers include registering guests, serving food, distributing clothes, assisting with the guest check-out area and event clean-up.

Register now at http://volunteer.vsuw.org\volunteer. For groups of 10 or more, contact the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@vsuw.org.

Maricopa Community Colleges employees are encouraged to register as volunteers through the Maricopa Learns through Service HCM portal. For questions, please contact Dee Dee Tapson at 480-731-8299 or via email at creative.pathways@domail.maricopa.edu.

Rio Salado employees and students should contact Elizabeth Cole-Fay at elizabeth.cole-fay@riosalado.edu to learn more about Rio Salado team efforts.

Test-Taking Tips to Help You Succeed!

Do you get stressed out by the thought of taking tests? You’re not alone! 

This video by the Rio Salado Counseling team shares success tips to help you improve your test-taking skills.

Check out additional test-taking strategies at www.riosalado.edu/counseling/academic-success.

Attention Queen Creek Educators! There's Still Time to RSVP for AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference

Get a Jump Start on the New School Year with Rio Salado's AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference, Aug. 5!

This conference provides hands-on professional development for pre-service teachers, educators and homeschooling parents who are looking for new ways to engage children with technology. Sessions will focus on leveraging educational technology to impact learning in innovative ways.

Presenters are experienced K-12 teachers with a national presence in the ed tech world who will share several tools and ideas you can incorporate into your curriculum and classroom right away.

Workshop sessions include discussions about free and interactive tools to help you assess learning in your classroom no matter what grade level, instructional uses of YouTube, social media for personalized professional development and more.

Continuing education credits will be offered.

Register now at aztechconf.eventbrite.com
Registration is required. Cost $14, includes catered lunch.

AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference
Aug. 5, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rio Salado College Conference Center
2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281

Visit www.riosalado.edu/aztechconf or call 480-517-8743 for the latest event details. #AZTECHCon

Please note: Attendees are responsible for supplying their own laptops, tablets and chargers.

Presented by Rio Salado College's Educator Prep Program and National Science Foundation Noyce Scholar Program.

Attention Rio Salado Students: Get Free Online Tutoring Services from Smarthinking

Did you know you can receive online tutoring from a tutor with a master’s degree or Ph.D. – for free? Yes, Rio Salado offers on-demand, online tutoring through Pearson’s Smarthinking, which is available when you log into any course in RioLearn. 

You can be sure that the Smarthinking tutors are qualified to help you -- ninety percent have either a master’s degree Ph.D. in their fields, and average 12-years of teaching or tutoring experience.

Tutors are capable of helping with complicated subjects, including one that many students request help with – writing. Solid academic writing is a skill needed to succeed in college. You can choose from four Smarthinking tutoring options to get help with your writing:

1. Work with a tutor - This is a drop-in session, but you can also schedule a tutoring session in advance or just submit a question.
2. Submit a question – Send a question to a tutor and you will receive a response within 12 hours.
3. Submit my writing - This is the most popular option, allowing you to submit your writing assignments for review.
4. Review my sessions and submissions – Get feedback on previous assignments.

Additionally, in the “Submit my writing” option you can choose from several writing categories including essays, grammar and documentation, paragraph review, resume and cover letter, career writing subjects, business writing, nursing, and allied health essays. 

As an enrolled Rio Salado student, all of these valuable resources are free-of-charge. Take advantage of the online tutoring services anytime you log into your courses on RioLearn to help you complete courses, continue with your education, and complete your degree. 

Contributed by Elena Matus McDonald on behalf of Rio Salado Counseling, helping students with their personal, educational and career goals.

Study Skills & Time Management Tips for You!

This video from Rio Salado's Counseling team provides an overview of three critical things to keep in mind if you want to improve your study skills and time management habits:

• Calculate your time commitment
• Learn how to study
• Create a study schedule

Take advantage of other study tips and resources at www.riosalado.edu/counseling

Rio Salado Offers Free ACCUPLACER Test-Prep Classes, July 17-27 in Tempe and Phoenix

Take advantage of in-person ACCUPLACER Readiness classes at Rio Salado, July 17-27!

ACCUPLACER tests determine your knowledge in math, reading and writing as you prepare to enroll in college-level courses. The tests are used to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each subject area and to help you improve your skills through interactive online learning tools.

Rio Salado will host two sets of in-person ACCUPLACER Readiness Summer Success Camps to help students prepare for the tests.

Register Now: Summer Success Camp Registration Form

RSC-Southern
3320 S. Price Road
Tempe AZ 85282
480-377-4150

RSC-Avondale
420 N. Central Avenue
Avondale 85323
480-377-4400

Class Times: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Space is limited.

Why is the ACCUPLACER so important?

Results of the assessment, along with your academic background, goals and interests, are used by academic advisors and counselors to place you in the appropriate college courses that meet your skill level.


Learn more about ACCUPLACER tests and resources at http://www.riosalado.edu/testing/placement/Pages/placementtest.aspx

Rio Salado AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference Helps Educators Get Jump Start New School Year!

The Rio Salado AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference on Aug. 5 will provide hands-on professional development for pre-service teachers, educators and homeschooling parents who are looking for new ways to engage children with technology. 

Sessions will focus on leveraging educational technology to impact learning in innovative ways.

Keynote Speaker Jon Corippo will be joined by Lucy Gray, Kyle Brumbaugh, Robert Pronovost

Presenters are experienced K-12 teachers with a national presence in the ed tech world who will share several tools and ideas you can incorporate into your curriculum and classroom right away.

Workshop sessions include discussions about free and interactive tools to help you assess learning in your classroom no matter what grade level, instructional uses of YouTube, social media for personalized professional development and more.


Continuing education credits will be offered.

Register now at aztechconf.eventbrite.com
Registration is required. Cost $14, includes catered lunch.

AZ K-12 Ed Tech Conference
Aug. 5, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rio Salado College Conference Center
2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281

Visit www.riosalado.edu/aztechconf or call 480-517-8743 for the latest event details. #AZTECHCon

Please note: Attendees are responsible for supplying their own laptops, tablets and chargers.

Presented by Rio Salado College's Educator Prep Program and National Science Foundation Noyce Scholar Program.

Communiversity at QC Back open

Attention: The Communiversity at QC water main break has been repaired. 

The facility will reopen at 11 a.m.

We appreciate your understanding.

Please check azcommuniversity.com for the latest updates.

Communiversity at QC Closed Due to Water Main Break

Attention: The Communiversity at Queen Creek is closed for the rest of the day and tomorrow due to a water main break.

All classes are cancelled and the Rio SaladoTesting Center is closed until further notice.

We may have the problem resolved in time to reopen the facility tomorrow afternoon.

We will provide updates as soon as possible.

Please check azcommuniversity.com for the latest updates.

Scholarships Available for SPOT 127 Summer Podcasting Workshop for Teens!

SPOT 127 East Valley will host the Freedom Project Summer Podcasting Workshop July 10-14, 2017. 

The workshop is open to high school aged students, and will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily, with a breakfast and lunch provided by St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Thanks to a $2,000 grant from the MAXIMUS Foundation, 15 student scholarships (valued at $125 each) will be available for students to attend the podcasting workshop.

Kristy Roschke

“The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, on behalf of Rio Salado College and SPOT 127 Youth Media Center, is grateful to the MAXIMUS Foundation for providing the opportunity for the Freedom Project podcasting workshop,” said Kristy Roschke, Executive Director of the SPOT 127 Youth Media Center.

Students who participate will learn how to develop podcasts from SPOT 127 instructors Rick Fowler and Trevor Gahona.

Dr. Wanda Tucker, Rio Salado’s Faculty Chair for Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Psychology, will facilitate discussions around the topic of freedom.

Wanda Tucker

“We can't think of a better partner in this project than Dr. Wanda Tucker, whose talents and knowledge of philosophy will foster students' critical thinking as they also sharpen their media production skills,” Roschke said.

The Freedom Project is a collaboration between Rio Salado College and KJZZ’s SPOT 127 Youth Media Center.

SPOT 127's mission is to help high school students find their voices and engage in their communities by developing skills in digital media, radio, and journalism.

The public is invited to hear the finished podcasts at a Community Listening Party at noon on Friday, July 14 at SPOT 127 East Valley.

Students who wish to enroll can visit https://spot127.org/content/spot-127-summer-programs.

Freedom Project Podcasting Workshop
SPOT 127 East Valley/Rio Salado College
3320 S. Price Road Tempe 85282
July 10-14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Breakfast and Lunch provided courtesy of St. Mary's Food Bank