Wave Makers is a podcast by Rio Salado College that spotlights bold thinkers, trailblazers, and changemakers driving progress in their communities and industries. Through inspiring conversations, we explore real-world stories of passion, perseverance, and innovation—highlighting the journeys of those breaking barriers and making a difference. This isn’t just about education—it’s about impact.
Making It Work: Parenting, College and the Goals in Between
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.
17 Aug 2026
Printing the Future: 3D Construction, Housing & the Workforce of Tomorrow
Can a giant robot help address the housing shortage — while creating new career opportunities?
Wave Makers kicks off Season 3 with Alquist 3D founder and chairman Zach Mannheimer and Rio Salado Applied Technology Chair Ken Wilk. They explore 3D construction printing, housing affordability and how Rio Salado is preparing learners with the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow.
21 May 2026
Recovery, Reinvention & Rising Higher: Two Students Redefining What’s Possible
Two students. Two powerful journeys. One shared mission: creating a better future.
Hear how Goldie Johnson Pompey and Marielena Aguirre Foster transformed life experience into leadership, purpose, and opportunity through Rio Salado College.
14 Apr 2026
From Foster Care to Founder: Building Hope Through 7th Dream Helping Hearts
One connection can change everything.
Hear how Rio Salado student Shaniqua Hopkins built a nonprofit to support foster and at-risk teen moms — and how that support helped Sharara find stability, confidence, and a path forward.
3 Mar 2026
Building the Future of Tempe: Workforce, Business & Education in Action
Tempe is growing — and it’s growing with intention.
Hear how the Tempe Chamber, the City of Tempe, and Rio Salado College are partnering to strengthen workforce pipelines, support businesses, and create real opportunity for residents at every stage of life.
3 Feb 2026
From Group Homes to Graduations: Frank Nino’s Journey of Resilience and Hope
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
6 Jan 2026
Brave Steps: Alysa Call’s Journey From Classroom to Clinic
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.
6 Aug 2025
Full Circle: When Your Fourth Grade Teacher Becomes Your College Professor
When Bob Waters joined Rio Salado College’s post-baccalaureate teacher prep program, he never expected to find a familiar name on the syllabus — his former 4th grade teacher, Julie Ferin.
In this moving episode of Wave Makers, host Michelle Reese explores a rare and inspiring reconnection between student and teacher. Bob and Julie share stories from their past and present, including how Julie helped him through childhood anxiety and how Bob is now inspired to bring that same care and compassion into his own future classroom.
This episode celebrates the legacy of great teachers, the evolution of the education profession, and the life-changing ripple effects of empathy and encouragement.
If you’ve ever had a teacher who changed your life — this one’s for you.
31 Jul 2025
Guiding the New Majority: How Rio’s Avanzar Program Supports Today’s Students
Today’s students are more diverse and more determined than ever — but also face more complex challenges. In this episode, host Michelle Reese speaks with Henry Smith and Clarice Wziatek about Rio Salado College’s Avanzar Program, funded through a Title V grant to serve the “new majority learner.”
Henry shares how the program supports Pell-eligible, first-gen, and underserved students through personalized coaching and strategic outreach. Clarice offers an inside look at how academic life coaching helps students navigate barriers, find clarity, and design meaningful educational paths using tools like Gallup Strengths and the Stanford “Design Your Life” curriculum.
Discover how empathy, empowerment, and tailored support can reshape the college experience — and change lives.
📢 Listen now to find out why Rio’s Avanzar team believes every student belongs — and every story matters.
31 Jul 2025
Fast-Tracked Futures: High School Interns Making College Waves
How far can a high school student go with the right support and ambition? For Alexandria and Alyssa — dual enrollment students and Rio Salado College interns — the answer is: pretty far.
In this uplifting conversation, they discuss why they chose to take on college coursework while still in high school, how those credits are helping them fast-track their futures, and what they’ve learned from their hands-on internship in Rio’s marketing department. From dreams of architecture and entrepreneurship to producing films and leading school broadcasts, these young professionals are gaining skills, confidence, and a serious head start.
Their message? Don’t wait to chase your goals — start now.
📢 Tune in for a glimpse into the future of education, leadership, and self-made success.
31 Jul 2025
Rising with Purpose: Kesha Shelton on Education, Advocacy, and the Power of Perseverance
Kesha Shelton is no stranger to juggling — as a single mom of three, she returned to school with a mission: to show her kids what’s possible and change the future for families like hers. In this episode, Kesha talks about her time at Rio Salado College, where she balanced parenting, work, and full-time online study to earn her degree in Early Childhood Education. She shares how programs like Dress for Success and Phi Theta Kappa helped pave her path to ASU, where she’s now studying Justice Studies and Mass Communications. Kesha is on a mission to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, champion equity in education, and one day earn a doctorate in educational policy. Her voice, her drive, and her heart will stay with you long after the episode ends. Listen now and get inspired by a story that defines what it means to make waves.
29 Jul 2025
Defining Moments: From Adversity to Achievement with Beka & Cordero
What does it take to rewrite your story? In our debut episode, we sit down with Rio Salado College alumni Beka Namachanja and Cordero Holmes, who share deeply personal journeys of triumph over adversity. From navigating incarceration and caregiving to earning full-ride scholarships and launching new careers, they discuss how Rio’s support and flexibility gave them the tools to reclaim their future.
This episode is more than inspiring — it’s a reminder that every step forward, no matter how small, can lead to incredible change.
🎧 Tune in and get ready to Define Your Moment.
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