In just a few weeks, Juscenta Parker’s years of hard work and sacrifice will pay off.
This single mother and grandmother candidates in May with his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is already working full time in a bank, she is excited to move up the business ladder, “as an accountant.
“I chose my major because I have been in the banking sector for over 20 years and I would continue to promote my career in the accounting and finance department,” Juscenta said. “So long I wanted a degree-I wanted my kids to see that I could reach a long-term goal-but didn’t know how I would overcome the financial obstacle.”
Arkansa’s single parent Scholarship Fund offered a way. Juscenta used her scholarship control to pay for school articles, bills and food to keep her family fluid. ASPSF program leader Keisha Smith also delivered a listening ear, encouragement and additional resources in the hard times.
“From my experiences, as a single mother of three, supportive children alone can be very challenging,” Juscenta said. “I’m really blessed to have had Keisha and ASPSF donors as a good support system in my life.”
Along his educational journey, Juscenta has inspired her two adult sons and 16-year-old daughter to plan for professional careers.
“My oldest son will go to CDL school to drive trucks,” Juscenta said. “My middle child started her first year in college, and my daughter has planned to attend a nursing school. She also has hope of joining the Air Force.”
She said it is important that her children see her succeed, but it is even more important that her six grandchildren see their grandmother succeed.
“Juscenta really burns a new path for her family,” Keisha said. “Her determination and motivation have enabled her to create a better life. Educated with a 3.7 GPA, I am so excited to see Juscenta reaching her dreams.”
None of this would have been possible without the scholarships and support she received from ASPSF, Juscenta said.
“Thank you for helping me to continue my education and pursue a goal that I didn’t think I would ever accomplish as a single mother,” she said. “Thank you for always being there for my kids and me, for listening when I needed someone to talk to, for always being understanding and for helping me when I needed help with something.”
Top Photo image text: Juscenta Parker (right) accepts her fall 2022 single parent scholarship from ASPSF program leader Keisha Smith.