Meet Miracle Haislip, the ASPSF Student of the Month for September. Discover how this single mom and LPN graduate from Howard County overcame “mom guilt” to build a brighter future.

Who is the ASPSF Student of the Month for September? The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is proud to recognize Miracle Haislip of Howard County as the September Student of the Month. A recent nursing graduate from Cossatot Community College, Miracle exemplifies resilience, academic excellence, and the power of educational support for single parents.

The path to a college degree is rarely a straight line, especially when balancing the demands of single parenthood. For Miracle Haislip, the journey involved late nights, “mom guilt,” and unwavering determination. Today, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) celebrates her success as the September Student of the Month.

This summer, Miracle achieved a major milestone by graduating from Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Her dedication to her studies was evident as she finished in the top three of her class and was inducted into the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

Inspired by a Legacy of Care

Miracle’s passion for nursing is deeply personal. It began years ago while watching her grandmother, who raised her, navigate her own health battles.

“We were like two peas in a pod,” Miracle recalled. “When she was in and out of the hospital, I got to see a lot and learn a lot from such a young age. Of course, I wanted to take care of my grandmother, the way she always took care of me.”

That early exposure sparked a lifelong passion. Miracle realized that her calling was to help others nurse themselves back to good health.

Turning Motivation into Action

Life took a pivotal turn when Miracle discovered she was pregnant with her daughter, Kenedi, who is now two years old. Rather than seeing this as a barrier, Miracle viewed it as a catalyst. She returned to her hometown in Howard County with a renewed focus on her education.

“I knew that going back to school would motivate me to work harder,” she explained.

It was during this time, through the Career Pathways program at Cossatot, that she learned about the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. She received her first scholarship in the spring of 2023, a critical moment that provided both financial relief and a support system.

Overcoming “Mom Guilt”

Like many single parents returning to school, Miracle faced significant emotional hurdles. The pursuit of a better future often meant sacrificing time in the present.

“A big challenge I overcame was ‘Mom Guilt,’” Miracle admitted. “During nursing school, I missed a lot of big moments – first steps, new words, birthdays. I felt awful, but I eventually knew I was doing this for her so she can have a great life.”

The Power of Wraparound Services

The ASPSF program provided more than just a check; it offered wraparound services designed to support the whole student.

• Financial Support: Miracle used her scholarship checks to cover essential utilities, nursing supplies, and childcare for Kenedi.

• Educational Workshops: She attended workshops that provided new information and resources to help navigate life as a student-parent.

• Mentoring: The guidance she received helped her balance the rigorous demands of nursing school with motherhood.

The impact of her hard work is already visible in her daughter. Miracle noted that Kenedi has started mimicking her study habits.

“My daughter is only two, but I noticed when I wanted to study my textbooks at home, she would be more interested in her books and learn new things! She has recently moved up to an age level at her daycare because of her doing so well.”

Building a Career and a Future

Today, Miracle is living the dream she worked so hard to build. She is currently employed as a full-time geriatric nurse at Little River Nursing & Rehab and works on an as-needed basis at The Blossoms Rehab & Nursing Center in Nashville, Arkansas.

ASPSF is honored to have played a role in Miracle’s educational and career journey. By providing flexible scholarships and comprehensive support, the organization empowers single parents to stay in school, graduate, and create multi-generational change for their families.

Want to support students like Miracle? For more information about the program or to support single parents in Arkansas, visit www.aspsf.org.