March Volunteer of the Month: Jerry Stegall of St. Francis County
When Jerry Stegall learned about the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) in 2022 while working in Financial Aid at the University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College (UA-EACC), he immediately recognized its impact. Since then, he has been spreading the word to students who may qualify — long before officially becoming a volunteer.
Now serving as Director of Recruiting & Student Activities at UA–EACC and residing in Forrest City, Jerry has spent the past six months actively volunteering with ASPSF in St. Francis County — more than 200 hours! Although he is not a former single parent or scholarship recipient himself, his commitment to the mission runs deep.
“I became a volunteer because I wanted to be a part of something that truly changes the trajectory of a family’s life,” Jerry said. “Parenting is tough, but being a single parent is even tougher. I wanted to be a mentor and advocate as single parents navigate the road to graduation.”
In his time with ASPSF, Jerry has assisted with local scholarship ceremonies, interviewed new and returning applicants, and volunteered at holiday gift wrapping events. He especially looks forward to presenting a financial aid resource workshop in the future, which is just another way he hopes to equip students with practical tools for success.
His favorite ASPSF moment is the annual fall luncheon, A Day of Hope. For Jerry, this gathering was a powerful reminder of why the mission matters.
“[It] is such an inspiring event that I have thoroughly enjoyed the times I’ve attended in the past,” he said.
At the heart of his service is a simple but profound belief:
“Investing in students enrolled in postsecondary education is always and forever will be in style,” he said. “Anything I can do to help is the least that I can do. The parents deserve as much support as I can give them.”
For Jerry, the most rewarding part of volunteering is watching perseverance turn into achievement.
“I look forward to hearing the success stories of the single parents that have and will push through all adversity,” he says. “ASPSF is a wonderful organization, and I’m thankful to be amongst such supportive volunteers and inspiring single parents.”
Volunteers like Jerry remind us that mentorship, encouragement, and advocacy can make a lasting difference. His willingness to serve strengthens not only our scholarship program, but also the families working hard to build brighter futures.
Thank you, Jerry, for being a champion for Arkansas single parents in St. Francis County.
