Wave Makers

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 he...

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...

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 Hausz , Program Manager for Economic Development with the City of Tempe. Together, they explore how higher education, workforce development, and business leadership inte...

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 tw...

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...

In this heartwarming episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese brings you a story that truly defines a full-circle moment. When Bob Waters logged in for his first teacher prep course at Rio Salado College, he discovered something unexpected: his instructor was none other than his fourth-grade teacher, Julie Ferin. Julie, now an Instructional Services Director and long-time educator, vividly reme...

In this empowering episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with Henry Smith, Title V Program Manager, and Clarice Wziatek, Academic Life Coach, to dive into Rio Salado College’s transformative Avanzar Program. Funded by a $3M Title V grant, the Avanzar Program is on a mission to support the new majority learner — students who are first-generation, working parents, caregivers, or navi...

What happens when two ambitious high schoolers take on college coursework, explore their career passions, and help run a college’s marketing department — all before graduation? In this inspiring episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese welcomes Rio Salado College’s first-ever high school interns, Alexandria and Alyssa, from Desert Vista High School. These dual enrollment students share how they...

In this heartfelt episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese sits down with Kesha Shelton — a proud Rio Salado College alum, single mother of three, first-generation college graduate, and fierce advocate for early childhood education. Kesha shares her inspiring journey from enrolling at Rio as a busy working mom to graduating with honors and serving as the 2024 Graduate Marshal. She discusses how...

In this powerful debut episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese welcomes two extraordinary Rio Salado College alumni, Beka Namachanja and Cordero Holmes. Their paths to higher education were anything but traditional — marked by resilience, reinvention, and unwavering hope. Cordero began his academic journey while incarcerated, later earning multiple degrees and stepping into community leadershi...