Dr. Becky Timmons, director of assessment and accountability at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, was recently recognized for her work supporting single parent students.
Timmons was awarded December’s Volunteer of the Month for the state of Arkansas by the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund rewarding her three years of volunteer work with the organization spanning a plethora of duties and accomplishments.
“This is an organization that supports our students who sometime struggle,” Timmons said. “It truly does make a difference in single parents’ lives in being able to change the direction their lives and children’s lives take.”
During her time with the organization, she has served in numerous leadership positions, from the executive committee to her current service on the Region 8 Scholarship Committee, which decides which students meet the criteria to receive funds from the scholarship.
Timmons also was an integral member of the organization during its transition from a local chapter encompassing Sebastian, Crawford and Franklin Counties to a regional chapter encompassing six counties.
She finds the work rewarding.
“I believe in the power of education. It has made such a huge difference in my life and what I’ve been able to do,” she said. “Even if these students don’t know who I am, this opportunity to help have a positive impact in their lives is very self-satisfying.”
UAFS is the only university in the state that provides an additional scholarship to students receiving the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship, according to Dr. Mary Lackie, vice chancellor for university advancement and executive director of the UAFS Foundation.
“We know these students are working hard to come back to school and face a lot of challenges along the way,” Lackie said. “We are proud to be able to further support the single parent students at UAFS in easing the financial strain of college for this important population of students.”
For more information about the ASPSF, visit http://www.aspsf.org.
About the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is the premiere regional institution of Western Arkansas, connecting education with careers and serving as a driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. Small class sizes, dedicated faculty and staff, affordable tuition rates, and a diverse on-campus culture allow UAFS students to fully explore their areas of interest in ways that prepare them for post-graduate success academically, professionally, and personally. To find out what makes UAFS just right for you, go to www.uafs.edu.