What happens when earning your degree takes longer than you planned?

For Rio Salado College alum Amy Gentry, college was something she worked into an already full life. As a single mother working full time, she took classes when she could, sometimes stepping away from school before returning to continue her education.

In this episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese talks with Amy about finding flexibility through online learning, earning college credits through her employer's partnership with Rio Salado, and the family support that helped her finish her degree.

Amy also shares how her associate degree in organizational management and subsequent bachelor's degree in computer information systems contributed to her professional growth. Today, she serves as director of customer contact operations at Salt River Project (SRP).

Hear Amy's advice for returning adult learners, why she recommends starting with a class you enjoy, and what she's learned about making time for goals that matter.

Balancing college, a career and parenting doesn’t come with extra hours in the day. So how do student parents make it work?

In this episode of Wave Makers, host Dr. Reina Ferrufino talks with Rio Salado College alum Destiny Spurling about her journey from starting college as a single parent to building a career in accounting, earning her associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and pursuing her CPA.

Destiny shares the real challenges behind that journey and the practical strategies that helped her keep moving forward, from turning small pockets of time into study time and putting everything on her calendar to finding mentors, building a support system and learning to ask for help.

It’s an honest conversation about the many roles student parents carry, the people who help make the journey possible and why there’s no single timeline for reaching your goals.

Bold voices. Real stories. Defining Moments.

What if the future of construction could be printed — one layer at a time?

Wave Makers launches Season 3 with a look at the technology, partnerships and people helping reshape the future of construction and workforce development.

Host Michelle Reese sits down with Zach Mannheimer, founder and chairman of Alquist 3D, and Ken Wilk, Applied Technology Chair at Rio Salado College, following a special Rio Salado and Tempe Chamber of Commerce event focused on housing affordability, construction innovation and workforce development in Arizona.

Alquist 3D uses large-scale robotic technology to 3D print homes and commercial structures. But as Zach explains, the real opportunity goes far beyond the technology itself. A growing industry needs people who understand robotics, computer-aided design, materials, safety, coding and the complexities of construction.

That’s where education and workforce development come together.

Zach and Ken discuss Rio Salado’s work to prepare learners for emerging opportunities in construction additive manufacturing, why automation can create new career pathways rather than simply eliminate jobs, and how 3D printing could ultimately contribute to solutions for housing affordability.

The conversation also explores Alquist 3D’s groundbreaking commercial projects, including its work with Walmart; opportunities for experienced construction workers to reskill; and a future in which 3D-printing technology could become a familiar presence on construction sites.

From giant robots printing buildings to students preparing for careers that barely existed a few years ago, this Season 3 premiere asks an exciting question: What happens when education, technology and industry work together to build the future?

Wave Makers: Bold voices. Real stories. Defining Moments.