One single parent scholarship made education within reach for an entire family.

Every weekday, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund alumna Kathy Anderson goes to work at her dream job as the Library Director for Philander Smith University. She loves her staff and students.

But 20 years ago, Kathy almost didn’t finish her bachelor’s degree. Her car was damaged, and without it, she couldn’t make it to her classes at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Plus, she had four kids to feed!

Kathy didn’t know what to do. College was a goal she had put on hold for 17 years after dropping out of high school when she became pregnant. Yet she couldn’t afford both a car repair and food for her family. 

Kathy graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2004 from UAM. 

Then, Kathy learned about the single parent scholarship. She applied, interviewed, received her check, fixed her car, bought groceries, and continued her studies.

Thanks to ASPSF, Kathy graduated with her bachelor’s degree and became a librarian at the UAM Library, which jump-started her career.

“The scholarship was a blessing,” she said. “I knew education was the key to making a better life for my children and me.”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Kathy went to work at the UAM Library.

No one in Kathy’s family had graduated from college before. Her success paved the way for two of her children and her grandson to pursue higher education.

Experiencing firsthand the multigenerational effects of higher education, Kathy gives back by volunteering and donating monthly to help single parent students.

“Any little bit you can give is a blessing to a single parent,” she said. “Some people think, ‘I don’t have the money,’ but any amount makes a difference.”

Kathy went on to earn two master’s degrees. 

Because Kathy worked at UAM, she was able to hand her son Calvin his diploma when he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the university.

Calvin continued his education to earn a master’s degree. He’s now an assistant manger in the Little Rock area. 

Kathy’s daughter Erica also graduated with an associate degree from UAM. She’s now a special education paraprofessional. 

Kathy’s grandson graduated high school and is now a freshman at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 

Kathy’s four children. Two pursued higher education, while the other two went into the military and workforce. 

Kathy’s mother was also a single parent and inspired Kathy to reach for her dreams.

Kathy, pictured here with her sisters, was the first in her family to graduate college.