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.

In this inspiring episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese welcomes two extraordinary Rio Salado College students whose stories prove it’s never too late to start over, dream bigger, and redefine your future.

Meet Marielena “Mari” Aguirre Foster, who is approaching nine years of sobriety and preparing to transfer to Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College to study public policy and health policy. Alongside her is Goldie Johnson Pompey, a student leader balancing work, academics, and a future legal career as she prepares to transfer to the University of Arizona to pursue law.

Together, they share what it means to return to school as non-traditional students while juggling careers, recovery, leadership, and life experience. From late-night study sessions and online learning flexibility to discovering mentorship, purpose, and community through Rio Salado College, this episode highlights the transformative power of education at every stage of life.

In this episode:

• Mari shares her journey through recovery and personal transformation
• Goldie discusses returning to college while working full-time
• Both students reflect on finding leadership, belonging, and mentorship through student life
• The conversation explores how community college can open unexpected doors
• They discuss overcoming fear, self-doubt, and starting again

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth is always possible — and that sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin later than expected.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with Rio Salado student and nonprofit founder Shaniqua Hopkins, alongside one of the young women she mentors, Sharara.

Shaniqua’s journey began in the foster care system — a childhood shaped by adversity, resilience, and a promise to create something better for others like her. Today, she is the founder of 7th Dream Helping Hearts, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting foster, at-risk, pregnant, and parenting teens through mentorship, resources, and community.

But this episode is more than one story — it is impact in action.

Through Sharara’s emotional and inspiring testimony, listeners witness what happens when someone feels supported, seen, and believed in. From securing housing and employment to building confidence and independence, her journey reflects the heart of Shaniqua’s mission: walking alongside young women and helping them build self-sufficient futures.

Together, they discuss:

• Breaking cycles and creating generational change
• The realities of foster care and teen parenthood
• Starting a nonprofit while raising a family and attending college
• The power of mentorship, consistency, and community support
• Why courage often begins with simply reaching out

This episode is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the life-changing impact of showing up for others.

What does it take to build a thriving local economy? It takes collaboration.

In this episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with Robin Arredondo-Savage, President & CEO of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, and Lisa Hoss, Program Manager for Economic Development with the City of Tempe. Together, they explore how higher education, workforce development, and business leadership intersect to shape Tempe’s future.

From attracting new industries to strengthening legacy businesses, from Career Ready internships to adult upskilling programs, this conversation dives into how Rio Salado College, the Chamber, and the City are working side by side to create opportunity for every generation.

You’ll hear about:

• Why skilled talent is the #1 driver of economic growth
• The in-demand skills employers are seeking right now
• How micro-credentials and flexible education meet real workforce needs
• Supporting adult learners balancing work, family, and career transitions
• The power of collaboration in building economic mobility

If you care about community, opportunity, and the future of work — this episode is for you.

In this inspiring episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with Frank Nino — a first-generation college graduate, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Rising Sun Athletic League. Frank opens up about his powerful story, from growing up in group homes and becoming a father at 19, to walking into Rio Salado College with his four kids and a dream.

What started as one class turned into two associate degrees, two certificates, and a bachelor’s degree with honors. But Frank didn’t stop there. He’s now mentoring youth, building businesses, and redefining what’s possible for those who’ve felt unseen.

This conversation is a moving reminder that your past does not define your future — and that purpose can be found through perseverance, service, and a commitment to making others feel seen and heard.

🎙️ Topics covered:

• Frank’s journey from foster care to college
• How Rio Salado helped him discover confidence and direction
• The creation of Rising Sun Athletics and his mission to support underserved youth
• The power of mentorship, faith, and education to transform lives
• What legacy really means when you start with nothing

🔗 Learn more at www.riosalado.edu

In this powerful episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with Alysa Call, a lifelong learner whose two-decade educational journey with Rio Salado College spans from teacher to nurse — and every bold step in between.

Alysa first turned to Rio Salado in 2006 as a busy mom and Spanish teacher seeking licensure renewal. Years later, she returned with a new dream: to become a nurse. With humor, honesty, and heart, Alysa shares how Rio’s flexible scheduling and supportive structure helped her navigate intense science prerequisites while balancing motherhood, work, and health challenges.

From using frozen meal prep and family chore charts to layering chemistry classes between summer vacations, Alysa reveals the real-life systems, support, and mindset shifts that made it all possible.

Now a nurse who uses her Spanish medical interpretation skills daily, Alysa reflects on what it means to show up scared, stay organized, and trust that even in the messiness, growth is happening.