ASPSF Staff Spotlight: Shaila Creekmore

Meet Shaila Creekmore, the Development Officer, Strategic Partnerships, for Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.

She’s been with the organization for four years, first as a program manager for the Northeast Region. Today, she’s an all-star grants writer, ensuring ASPSF has the funds it needs to sustain the scholarship program and operate on a day-to-day basis. 

Get to know Shaila a little bit more in the Q&A below!

Shaila Creekmore, ASPSF Development Officer, Strategic Partnerships

City: Jonesboro in Craighead County
Hometown: Little Rock in Pulaski County
First day at ASPSF: Feb. 21, 2021
Education: Bachelor of Science, Communications: Journalism with an emphasis in Photojournalism from Arkansas State University

What do you do in your role? 
In my work in strategic partnerships, I am the grant administrator for ASPSF. I work with foundations, organizations, and businesses to submit grant applications and/or garner donations.

What three words best describe you?
Creative, Friendly, Organized

Briefly share your favorite ASPSF student story! 
Shortly after I moved from the Program Manager position to Fund Development, we had a student email a photo of herself and the realtor holding the giant key – she had just bought her first house! She told us it was within walking distance to her kids’ school, and the neighborhood kids play in their yard every afternoon.

Fun fact about yourself?
I can relate nearly any situation back to an episode of “Friends.” 

What do you love about the ASPSF mission? 
ASPSF is a nonprofit that is truly providing a path for families to raise themselves from poverty and make generational change for the family. 

What’s your proudest accomplishment?
It has to be being a mom. Being a mom is by far the hardest “job” I’ve ever had, but watching your kids grow up is amazing.

Best advice you’ve ever received?
Everything should go on your calendar, including family obligations. When asked if you’re available during a kid’s ballgame or family dinner, simply say, “I’m sorry, I’m booked at that time, how about Tuesday at 6?” They don’t have to know it’s a family obligation; it’s simply time not available on your calendar.

What book are you reading now?
“The Language of Flowers”  by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Anything else you want to share?
My favorite movie is “The Princess Bride”, and I’ve seen it at least 100 times. My sons now love it, too, and my oldest agrees it’s the perfect date movie!