Alumni Alliance: Amanda Shavers
Amanda graduates with her associate degree in 2016 from the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. Today, her two oldest children are enrolled in college.
Amanda (right) with her mentor from ASPSF, Jamie Marshall.
Amanda (right) launched her firm, Arc & Root Funding Co., in 2025.
In 2015, Amanda started an alliance for nontradiional students.
Amanda at a 2015 scholarship ceremony.
Amanda started an alliance for nontraditional students like herself.
In 2025, Amanda (left) starts a company, Arc & Root Funding Co., and nonprofit, Scholars Arc Foundation Inc., to invest in her community.
Amanda teaches nontraditional students at an allinace meeting in 2016.
Amanda (second from left) receives her first single parent scholarship in 2014.
In her own words, 2016 Alumna Amanda Shavers shares how her story has come full circle: from a struggling single parent to entrepreneur and nonprofit leader helping nontraditional students.
I decided to return to school when my oldest child Aleigh, was preparing for high school. I never made it beyond the ninth grade, and that concerned me. How could I help her with high school and college if I never experienced it myself?
I knew I was out of time and out of options, so I dove into the pursuit full force and found a path forward. All the odds were stacked against me. I was on unemployment. My support network was nonexistent. I had not touched academics in over 10 years. I did not fit in college life: I had kids, and I was older.
Through ASPSF, I found a way to rewrite my story. The financial assistance was a plus, but the real benefit came from the mentorship.
My regional director for ASPSF was Jamie Marshall, and she changed my life. She believed I was capable of going further and doing more than others. Presenter Dr. Jan McCormick taught me what the word “grit” meant. I will never forget that day, as it resonated, and that word became available to define my burning desire for education.
I also got the chance to build a student group under ASPSF. It truly helped me develop the skill sets that I use today in business. From negotiation and content creation to balancing a nonprofit’s budget, I can thank ASPSF for helping me practice those skills long before I became an entrepreneur.
Through these experiences, I found my passion for helping others access education and achieve success. Now, nine years later, I’ve reached two big career goals. I launched a consultancy firm, Arc & Root Funding Co., and a 501(c)(3) organization, Scholars Arc Foundation Inc. These two entities work together to help nonprofits find funding and students from all backgrounds graduate debt-free.
I am honored to share my story with you. There are many ways to spend a donated dollar, but your investment in ASPSF not only invests in the students, it also invests in the future, as the children watch their mom and dad climb a huge mountain with the help of their prospective communities. You changed my life, and that step changed the lives of my children. Thank you for your investment.
