Two recent Rio Salado College graduates have managed to overcome their disabilities and earn degrees through the power of the Internet.

Nicole Brown freelances in the web development industry, and her work has received national acclaim. When she was just 17 years old, she won a national award from USA Today for designing one of the top five web sites in the country.

Through Rio's distance learning courses, Nicole completed the Associate in Applied Science degree in computer technology with High Distinction. Her goal is to obtain her doctorate and own a computer programming business. "I really love school," she says. She credits her Rio instructors with challenging her and assisting her in "learning the things I wanted to learn."

Nicole is wheelchair-bound from muscular dystrophy, so she appreciated the convenience of Rio Salado's Internet courses. "Rio Salado makes it a lot easier to work classes around your schedule," she says. Nicole is a resident of Litchfield Park.

Laney Darnell resides in Scottsdale, and at age 74, she is Rio Salado's oldest graduate in 2002. However, what makes her even more special is that she is confined to a wheelchair due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Tanya Craven, academic advisor for Rio Salado, recently met new graduate Laney Darnell face-to-face for the first time when she assisted in bringing her diploma to her home.

As a result, she has taken all but one of her courses during the past year through e-learning (the Internet format).

Laney originally started her degree in the early 80's, but her illness made it difficult for her to continue until she discovered Rio's Internet courses two years ago. She received the Associate in General Studies degree with High Distinction, and is a member of the Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and the Honors Program. Recent surgery made it impossible for her to attend the ceremony, so Rio brought the diploma directly to her home via Janine Adkins Pierce, her fine arts instructor, and Tanya Craven, her academic advisor.

"She is a real gem," states Janine, who also serves as her PTK advisor. "Laney is an amazing women and it was a pleasure to have met her in person," added Tanya.