Meet Keisha Williams, one of 10 dedicated Program Managers at the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF). Since joining the team in 2019, Keisha has played an essential role in empowering single parents to achieve their educational goals and build brighter futures for their families.
As Program Manager, Keisha works behind the scenes and daily on the front lines by supporting scholarship applicants, guiding recipients, and helping single parent students in Arkansas navigate the many challenges of college, work, and family.
Get to know Keisha a little bit more in the Q&A below!
City: Maumelle
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
First day at ASPSF: August 1, 2019
Education: Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University
Keisha Williams (right) hands a scholarship check to a student.
What do you do in your role as Program Manager?
As a Program Manager, a lot of my work involves reaching out to and recruiting new students, so that when those applications come in, I can review the applications and interview new students. Also, a lot of my work revolves around trying to improve their lives, trying to make things a little bit easier for them. As they graduate and go off into the world, making sure that they are prepared, whether that is through an interview workshop or a financial literacy workshop, is so important in strengthening the students’ skills.
What do you love most about the ASPSF mission?
Our mission here at ASPSF is really just to provide our students with a hand up from poverty, to meet our students right where they are, and to provide them with the resources and the support that they need. A lot of the time, as a single parent, many of our students feel alone — they don’t see other people in their lives going through the same kind of sacrifice to accomplish their goals.
Keisha Williams (right) coordinates scholarship ceremonies with volunteers.
Knowing that I am a part of an organization that can help make students’ lives just a little bit easier is heartwarming and fulfilling, and I really just enjoy my work. We all have an impact on the lives of our single parents.
What’s your favorite ASPSF student story?
I meet a lot of amazing students semester after semester, but one student who stands out is Amiriah. Amiriah was a student who came to our organization when she was attending Pulaski Tech, but in the back of her mind, before she had children, she had this vision for herself to attend the University of Central Arkansas. After she was able to wrap up her associate degree from Pulaski Techdespite having three kids and working a full-time job, she wanted to pursue some of her own personal goals. It was important for her to do what she had also envisioned for herself, and so despite the obstacles, she was able to start at UCA and finish within two years. Her determination, tenacity, and courage to break those barriers for her kids will always be a story that stands out to me. She made me so proud when she walked across that stage at UCA!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I can write forward and backward simultaneously — mirror writing!
What three words best describe you?
Hardworking, artistic, and sincere.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
Purchasing my home.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“If you stay ready, you never have to get ready.”
What are your hobbies?
I love arts and crafts and attending sporting events.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I love working at ASPSF!
Keisha Williams presents information at a scholarship Ceremony.
