Aspire Scholarship Program

About Us

One of the best weapons to combat poverty is through education

National and state statistics show that there are a significant number of single parent families living at or below the poverty level in Jasper and Newton Counties. The majority are headed by individuals with only a high school education. With limited education, single parents have a difficult time finding professional jobs, and without good jobs they can’t adequately care for their families. Therefore many become dependent on government assistance. One of the best weapons to combat poverty is through education.

Our History

The Aspire Scholarship Program was created in 2010 and provides incentive scholarships to qualified, low-income, single parents who are pursuing a professional degree at a college, university, or technical school. The goal is to help them attain an education, graduate, and obtain well-paid, skilled employment, thus breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter economic future for their family.

Board Members

Shawn Wininger

Executive Director

Richard Winesburg

President

Melissa Smith

President Elect

Dr. Brian Nichols

Treasurer

Neely Myers

Secretary

Dr. Allison Smith

Member-at-large

Vicky Mieseler

Member-at-large

Sharenda Younes

Member-at-large

Katie Fields

Member-at-large

Todd Taylor

Member-at-large