May Student of the Month: Sherillitta McKinney of Sebastian County
This month, Sherillitta McKinney will walk across the stage at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and graduate with her bachelor’s in social work.
For many students, graduation marks the end of a college journey. For Sherillitta, it also reflects years of balancing school, work, and family while showing her two sons what perseverance looks like.
As the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s May Student of the Month, Sherillitta has spent the last three years building a future that once felt out of reach. She returned to school as a single mother with a full life already in motion. She was working, caring for her family, and trying to make space for her own goals at the same time.
Sherillitta McKinney celebrates her Fall 2025 scholarship with her sons. (Courtesy Photos with Lyric)
Through it all, her sons have helped keep her going.
Sherillitta’s oldest son is 26 and working. Her younger son is 16 and already planning for his own future in HVAC. She said both of her boys cheer her on when school feels hard.
After a test, they always want to know how she did. When she shares a good grade, they remind her that she can do this. She hopes her example stays with them.
“I’m hoping that me going back to school — even at a more mature age — kind of encourages them to be like, ‘Ok, you know what, Mom did it, so I can do it, too.’”
At first, Sherillitta considered several careers. Then she stopped and asked herself what mattered most to her. The answer was simple. She wanted to help people. That is what led her to social work.
She recently accepted a position with Lifeline Children Services as a casework specialist, reaching her long-term goal to empower and work with youth who need additional support before life pulls them in the wrong direction.
She understands how one caring person can make a difference. That belief is helping shape the future she is building for herself and for others. But balancing school, work, and family has not been easy while working toward her goals.
“That’s the biggest challenge,” she said. “Trying to balance it effectively and just not lose touch or not be able to spend that family time that you want because you’re so busy with everything else.”
Sherillitta McKinney (left) celebrates her Spring 2025 scholarship with ASPSF Program Manager Christi Brown. (Courtesy Photos With Lyric)
Support from ASPSF has helped ease some of the stress that comes with returning to school as a parent. The scholarship has helped cover school expenses and household bills, giving her more room to focus on school.
“If I could thank an ASPSF donor in person, I would tell them thank you so much,” she said. “Your donations are definitely needed and appreciated. Just being a single parent and being able to have that extra support, it makes a big difference. And without it, some parents wouldn’t even be able to really go to school and really kind of live. It’d be a real struggle.”
Sherillitta said she has also found real encouragement through her relationship with ASPSF Program Manager Christi Brown. Knowing someone is there to support her has made a difference during this journey.
For Sherillitta, this journey is personal. She is working toward a degree. She is building a career. Most of all, she is showing her sons what strength looks like.
Every class she finishes sends the same message home: Keep going. Keep believing. Keep building.
