‘This scholarship is more than just a financial contribution,’ says ASPSF Recipient

At Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s first-ever Donor Reception on June 2, 2026, scholarship recipient Kristy Browning shared her inspiring journey from feeling stuck in an unfulfilling job to pursuing her dream of becoming an educator.

A 13-year Army National Guard veteran, single mother, honor student, and recent graduate of UA-Pulaski Tech, Kristy credits ASPSF donors with helping make her success possible. Their support allowed her to focus on her education, overcome unexpected financial challenges, and create new opportunities for both herself and her daughter.

In this heartfelt message, Kristy explains how ASPSF is about much more than scholarships. From emergency financial assistance and educational workshops to enriching experiences for children, donor support helps single-parent families build brighter futures.

My name is Christy Browning, and I am a recipient of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship.

So I want you all to do something for me, please. Close your eyes.

I want you to think of a time in your life where you felt stuck or unfulfilled. Picture yourself at that time. Reminisce on how you looked, how you felt, what you were doing with your life in that moment.

Now open your eyes. Now I’m sure a lot of y’all are like me. You cringed a little bit internally. But despite that moment being cringeworthy, it was a moment of transformation for me.

It was the moment that I decided to leave an unfulfilling job and my dream of becoming a teacher. I felt that I owed it to myself to follow my dream. I owed it to my daughter, Aria, to show her an example of determination and perseverance. And I owed it to my future students who will benefit greatly from the love and the intellect that I will instill in them.

I’m standing here today because each of you played a huge part in that dream.

So I’ll tell you a little bit about me. I’m a 13-year Army National Guard veteran. I’m a single mother to an amazing 8-year-old. I currently work as a paraprofessional at a fourth-grade alternative classroom.

My short-term goal is to become an elementary teacher. My long-term goal is to become a librarian and then a reading specialist because I want to develop a way to address the literacy crisis in our state.

I just graduated from Pulaski Tech with my associate [degree]. Go Diamond Dogs!

And I’m currently enrolled at UALR, where I’ll start there in the fall to obtain my bachelor’s in elementary education.

At Pulaski Tech, I graduated with a 3.72 GPA. I made the dean’s list all four semesters. I had one of my papers published in the school’s academic journal. I became a member of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society. And I was chosen for the Academic All-Star Scholarship, which is only given to one student per year. And I was able to represent Pulaski Tech at the Arkansas Community College Conference in October.

While I received all of these accolades, I could not have done it without you and your donations. Because of your donations, I was able to focus on my classes and on school without worrying about how I was going to cover tuition or books. When my car battery died mid-semester, I was able to use my scholarship funds to get a new one and I didn’t have to miss a day of class. I was able to pay bills, cover groceries without worrying during a time when my finances were extremely tight.

Your donations have allowed a love for learning and science to grow in my daughter through the membership to the Museum of Discovery that we’re given. So we go pretty often.

In addition, my daughter has expressed a desire for her to go to college. She’s actually stolen a few of my Pulaski Tech t-shirts and won’t give them back. And I’ve had to stop her a couple of times for improving a couple of my papers back there.

But the many workshops that the scholarship gives us — from first-time home-buying classes to time management classes — are so extremely beneficial to us. And I really can’t brag enough on all the other amazing resources that this scholarship provides us. As a matter of fact, Aria will be attending several camps at the Arkansas Arts Museum this summer because of your donation.

This scholarship is more than just a financial contribution. It’s a physical motivation. It’s a reminder that we have people out there who believe in us, who see our potential, and who know that we can succeed. You are our motivators. For some recipients, you are the only support that they have. You change lives.

And from myself, and I’m sure from all of the other scholarship recipients, we thank you so much, and we hope that you continue to touch and bless other people.