ASPSF August 2026 Volunteer of the Month: Wandra Williams of Phillips County
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is proud to recognize Wandra Williams of Phillips County as our August 2026 Volunteer of the Month.
For nearly 20 years, Wandra has been a dedicated ASPSF volunteer, serving single parents across Phillips County with compassion, encouragement, and a steadfast commitment to education. As Director of Continuing & Community Education at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA), she has spent years connecting prospective students with opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives.
Her passion for ASPSF’s mission is also deeply personal: “I was once a 16-year-old single mom, and I did not know about ASPSF. I dropped out of school and felt that I would never amount to anything.”
Looking back, Wandra understands just how transformational ASPSF’s support is and could have been during that season of her life.
“To have others to help me financially and emotionally would have been a blessing that could have helped me and my son. Now I am determined to spread the word to other single parents in hopes that it will change their lives for the better.”
That experience continues to shape why Wandra volunteers today.
“I give my time to ASPSF because I believe that we are changing lives one step at a time,” she said.
One scholarship recipient, in particular, reminds Wandra why she has remained committed to ASPSF for nearly two decades.
“I had a student that wanted to apply for the scholarship and her GPA was less than a 2.0,” Wandra said. “In her earlier days, she had lived a rough life but found religion and was trying to turn her life around.”
Believing in the student’s determination and potential, Wandra wrote a letter recommending she receive the scholarship despite not meeting the GPA requirement.
“The committee accepted my recommendation and awarded her,” Wandra said. “She became my greatest success story,”
That student went on to complete her education as an honor student before becoming a certified registered nurse serving the Phillips County community.
“She comes by from time to time just to let me know how she is doing and to express her appreciation to me for believing in her when she did not believe in herself,” Wandra said.
The impact of Wandra’s dedication is evident not only in the students she has encouraged but also in the words they use to describe her. One scholarship recipient shared:
“Wandra is an amazing lady, mentor, and friend. She is one of the kindest, helpful, and fair to all. I’ve been so thankful and blessed to have known and been assisted by her.”
ASPSF is grateful that Wandra was recruited by longtime ASPSF supporter Edelma Simes, because she is one of the organization’s most dedicated advocates. Wandra approaches every task with enthusiasm and care. Her attention to detail and unwavering support have made her what many consider the epitome of a “super volunteer.”
Whether she’s helping with fundraising, leading workshops, coordinating scholarship interviews, collecting application documents, securing locations for ASPSF events, or reminding students about important deadlines, Wandra approaches every opportunity to serve with enthusiasm and compassion.
Thank you, Wandra, for nearly two decades of faithful service and for the lasting impact you’ve made on single parents and their families.
