In a groundbreaking celebration, Rio Salado College with Maricopa Community Colleges, will mark a milestone this spring with its first-ever bachelor's degree graduates. 

This landmark event will take place during the spring commencement ceremonies at Arizona Financial Theater on Thursday, May 2, at 7 p.m., according to a press release. 

Rheanan Heller, 24, a paralegal, new mother and newlywed, will be the first to walk the stage in honor of her accomplishment, having completed a bachelor of applied science in public safety administration degree. 

Heller, alongside fellow Rio Salado bachelor’s degree graduate Amanda Jansen, is one of more than 2,800 students enrolled in bachelor’s programs across the Maricopa County Community College District, the release explained. 

"Offering bachelor's degrees at community colleges transforms the educational landscape,” Rio Salado College President Dr. Kate Smith stated in the release. “It enhances our role in workforce development, providing our students with limitless opportunities to thrive in high-demand careers. These graduates are not just earning degrees; they’re making history.” 

Students began enrolling in Rio Salado’s two bachelor’s degree programs in spring 2023 with upper-division courses beginning in fall 2023. In addition to public safety administration, Rio Salado offers a bachelor’s degree in elementary education/special education.

Starting her journey at Rio Salado in 2019, Heller earned two associate degrees before transitioning to the bachelor’s program, which provided her with more than 80 credits toward her bachelor’s degree, the release detailed.

“It really just took putting my nose to the grindstone,” Heller stated in the release. “I always took a full-time course load every term. One semester, I carried 21 units. I didn’t know anything but go, go, go.” 

Heller plans to take the LSAT in June with a goal of enrolling in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Fall 2025. 

The rapid expansion of Rio Salado's bachelor’s programs, with more than 270 students currently enrolled, follows the 2021 legislative approval by former Gov. Doug Ducey, which allowed community colleges to confer four-year degrees. 

"This is a significant moment for Maricopa Community Colleges as we celebrate our first bachelor’s degree recipients during Rio Salado's commencement ceremony,” MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales stated in the release.

Similarly Laura Liuzzo, Rio Salado faculty chair of administration of justice studies and paralegal programs, also shared her excitement for the future, stating “This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting journey for our graduates, and I am confident that they will continue to achieve remarkable things.” 

“I think it’s wonderful and very appropriate that Rio Salado College should award the first community college bachelor’s degree in Arizona,” MCCCD Governing Board member and Rio Salado President Emeritus Dr. Linda Thor stated in the release. “Rio Salado was there from day one, envisioning and advocating for this degree.” 

Heller will join more than 360 Rio Salado graduates who have signed up to take part in Rio Salado’s commencement at 7 p.m. on May 2, at Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. According to the release, Jansen will not be able to attend. 

For information about Rio Salado College and its programs, visit RioSalado.edu.