Graduation Ceremony Recording
- Watch the 2024 HSE Graduation Ceremony recording
- “I want to say, on a personal note, that it is humbling to be here with you. I am in awe of you and I admire every single one of you. Congratulations! You did it, and may you be inspired by that every single day for the rest of your lives.” - Rio Salado College President Kate Smith
- Thank you to all our partners and students for contributing!
- The 2024 celebration marked a milestone achievement for nearly 300 graduates. Rio Salado enrolled more than 1,700 Adult Education students in career training pathways with 1,222 students (72%) earning a workforce credential.
2024 HSE Graduation Speakers
Xander Westfall
Xander was apprehensive because he had been out of the school environment for a decade.
“I initially chose Rio Salado because of how accessible and economical it was, but I stayed in the program because the success coaches and instructors were incredibly kind and encouraging.”
Xander earned his HSE diploma and a certificate in Retail Industry Fundamentals.
Adriana Franco
Single mother Adriana Perez faced many obstacles while returning to school, squeezing in in-person GED® test prep evening classes after working full-time.
“Getting my HSE diploma showed my kids and even some of my peers that age means nothing when you have a goal to reach,” Perez said. She earned Entrepreneurial Studies Level I certification.
