ASPSF Announces 2026 Outstanding Partner Awards Winners
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF), a nonprofit helping single parents rise out of poverty through access to higher education, announced the winners of its 2026 Outstanding Partner Awards.
The honorees, voted on by ASPSF supporters, are:
- Outstanding Education Partner: North Arkansas College in Harrison
- Outstanding Community Partner: Bank OZK
- Distinguished Alumna: Bailey Hutcheson
The winners will be celebrated during A Day of Hope on Friday, Sept. 18, at Next Level Events, 1400 W. Markham St. in Little Rock, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $75 at aspsf.org/hope.
“A Day of Hope is an opportunity for Arkansans to come together and celebrate single parent students and those who champion their success,” ASPSF Chief Development Officer Christine Gronwald said. “These honorees represent the kind of support system that helps single parents stay in school, graduate, pursue meaningful careers and transform the future for their families.
North Arkansas College was selected as Outstanding Education Partner for its ongoing work alongside ASPSF to champion single parent students. The college’s staff members have served as dedicated volunteers, and the school has provided space for ASPSF interviews and award ceremonies, while also sponsoring ASPSF events in recent years.
Bank OZK was selected as Outstanding Community Partner for its broad support of ASPSF’s mission, including numerous grants for the scholarship program and in-kind donations such as laptops for scholarship recipients. The bank also provides financial and professional development workshops for recipients across the state and employs ASPSF alumni and supporters, including a current board member.
Bailey Hutcheson, a 2023 ASPSF graduate from Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, was selected as Distinguished Alumna for completing her degree, building a career in higher education, and continuing to give back to the ASPSF program. Hutcheson now works for ASU-Mountain Home in Career Pathways, where her own student experience guides how she serves others. Outside of work, she volunteers at ASPSF by helping with scholarship applications, interviews and ceremonies, and raising funds for the 2026 ASPSF Day of Giving through a peer-to-peer fundraising page.
In its fourth year, A Day of Hope raises funds for ASPSF scholarships and services across 69 counties in Arkansas, including Bowie County, Texas. The annual luncheon brings together supporters from across the state to celebrate single parent students, distinguished alumni, and the community partners who champion their success.
For information about tickets or becoming a sponsor, visit aspsf.org/hope.
