State NonProfit Arkansa’s single parent Scholarship Fund (ASPF) is thrilled to welcome new members to its board of directors.
The ASPS board chose Shae Hughes from Jll in February and then chose Meredith Hale from Stone Ward, Marshunda Jones from Entergy, and Sara Neal from Arkansa’s Children’s Hospital in March. The four bring unique talents and passion to the ASPF mission, said board President Sunshine Bartlett from the heir.
“Their different expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand our influence and support single parents who strive to create better futures for their families,” Bartlett added.
Hughes is Marketing and Community Engagement Manager for JLL at Little Rock’s Park Plaza Mall. She was an alumna in the program with a single overall scholarship and served a bachelor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“I chose to earn from the ASPSF board because I am deeply passionate about supporting students and giving back to society,” Hughes said. “As an alumna and a single parent, I bring a unique perspective that allows me to understand the challenges that students face, and I am obliged to help create an environment that promotes their success.”
Tail is Senior Public Relations Account Executive for Stone Ward and has a background in fundraising on the Carti Foundation and Carelink. She served a bachelor from Arkansas State University.
“I’ve been blessed in my life to know more single parents and call them my friends,” Hale said. “I have seen how hard they work for themselves, their children and both of their futures. I am excited to participate in the ASPF board so I can go in for the lone mothers and father in Arkansas who need some help to implement their dreams.”
Jones Has worked for Entergy since 2007 and now serves as customer service manager. She received a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and a master’s degree from Webster University.
“My passion to have a meaningful influence on the lives of others led me to earn on the ASPF board,” Jones said. “This mission resonates deeply with me because I was once a single parent who pursued my dream of making a better life for my children through education. I am optimistic that I can utilize the conditions that I have built over the years to help with further collection initiatives.”
Neal is the director of Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she has worked since 2007. She achieved her bachelor and master’s degrees from Arkansas Tech University.
“From personal experience gained as a university educator who participated as a single mother of two children, I know the struggles and influence of the mother and her children who come from pursuing and ending the degree while in persecution to improve the quality of life for not only her children but also herself,” Neal said. “This knowledge will help promote ASPSF’s mission of providing a culture for support that equals single parents to navigate their future with confidence.”
Hughes, Jones and Neal were all single parents while pursuing higher education. They shared that these experiences inspired them to participate in the board and help ASPFs recipients receive the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
“We are so pleased to have these four incredible women participate in the ASPF board because their knowledge and perspectives will make our organization stronger,” said ASPF Managing Director Jenn Morehead. “Each of them brings enthusiasm, dedication and an eagerness to serve that will make them great advocates of students with single parents, and I look forward to seeing what we can do together.”
For more information about the board members or nonprofit, contact aspf Chief Communications Officer Jenn Lawrence at jlawrence@aspsf.org or 501-550-6304.