Athens, GA Mom Receives 2nd Round “Project Working Mom 2010” Scholarship for Ashworth College

June 21, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia –  Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu) today announced that Ciara Shelnutt, a mother from Athens, GA, is the recipient of a Project Working Mom 2010 full-tuition scholarship. Shelnutt will pursue an Associate Degree program in Health Care Management at Ashworth College, an accredited online institution. She plans to use her degree to provide a better life for her son and to train for a new career.

Ashworth College is one of eight accredited online schools participating in Project Working Mom 2010.  The program will award more than 280 scholarships, totaling close to $5 million.  Ashworth is awarding 23 of those scholarships.  This is the fourth cycle of Project Working Mom and the second time that Ashworth College has participated. To date, Ashworth has awarded 18 scholarships through the program.    

“Every night I hear a gunshot or window getting busted. Every night I close my eyes and pray that my son will never have to hold his baby at night and listen to the sounds of violence,” said Shelnutt, who currently lives with her son in low income housing. “I live in the projects and seeing the little babies who live here makes you wonder if the gun they hear is going to go through the wall of a child’s room.”

“It makes me want to be in a position to help,” she explained. “Through this online program I want to give back and to make a difference. And because I’ll be getting my education online I’ll still be able to be at home with my son.”

“When I had my son, I looked him in those big brown eyes and made a promise that I would do anything in my power to help him succeed in life,” Shelnutt added. “This scholarship will help to change both of our lives.”

“Partnering with Project Working Mom…and Dads Too! has been a fantastic opportunity for Ashworth College to help many deserving, hard-working parents improve their lives,” said F. Milton Miller, Ed.D. and Ashworth Vice President, Education. “Education can take skills - and income - to the next level. And a college degree can set an employee or business owner apart as a professional, demonstrating business knowledge to peers, potential customers and employers.”

Because Ashworth is a distance education institution, its programs are extremely conducive to the working professional’s schedule. Shelnutt will be able to study at her own pace and take exams online.

“Many of our students work full-time jobs and have families,” Dr. Miller added. “We developed our programs to be as flexible as possible so that students can incorporate their studies into their work and family schedules. It helps that they can complete their online courses at home and not travel to a classroom.”

Each of the Project Working Mom 2010 scholarship recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue online education.  According to U.S. Census data, more than 70% of American adults do not possess a college degree and this gap creates a structural cycle of unskilled workers and under-education and under-employment among American adults.  This silent crisis demands that attention be paid to adult education in this country.  Demonstrative of the need and demand among adults for education, the Project Working Mom programs have generated more than 460,000 applications for full-tuition scholarships from moms and dads who want to return to school.

“Thanks to the support from our partner schools we have once again been able to offer scholarships to very deserving parents who have always yearned to continue their education and advance their career, but didn’t have the opportunity until now,” said Terrence Thomas, Executive Vice President of Marketing for eLearners.com, which created Project Working Mom.  “This program helps to eliminate common roadblocks for returning to school such as time, money and confidence and will make the future brighter for many people.”

Project Working Mom 2010 runs through September 2010, with scholarships awarded throughout the eight-month program.  The next deadlines to submit an application are April 27 and September 30.  For more information visit www.projectworkingmom.com.

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About Ashworth College

Ashworth College, a leader in distance education, offers students worldwide more than 100 career-focused high school, career school, associates, bachelor’s and master’s online diploma, certificate, and degree programs that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers specialized programs to corporate partners, active duty military personnel, military spouses, and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth High School is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information visit AshworthCollege.edu.