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Aspire Scholarship Program

About Us

About Aspire Scholarship

Aspire Scholarship exists to support single parents who are pursuing higher education. We believe education changes lives — not just for students, but for their children and future generations.

Balancing school, work, parenting, and finances can feel overwhelming. Aspire Scholarship helps reduce that burden by providing financial assistance directly to students, allowing them to focus on their education and long-term goals.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower single parents through education by providing scholarships that ease financial stress and open doors to opportunity.

We invest in individuals who are committed to building a better future for themselves and their families.

What We Provide

  • Scholarships awarded directly to recipients

  • Funding that may be used for tuition, books, childcare, transportation, and other educational expenses

  • Full-time and part-time scholarship opportunities

  • Awards available for two- and four-year colleges, universities, and technical schools

  • Continued support for students who complete their undergraduate degree and pursue graduate education

Why It Matters

When a single parent earns a degree, the impact extends beyond one individual. Families gain stability. Children see the value of perseverance and education. Communities grow stronger.

Education creates opportunity — and opportunity changes everything.

Want To Learn More

Quick Read

Read what Bryan Vowels, CFP, CFA, Founding Partner of True North Financial and founder of Aspire has to say about Aspire and its mission. This brief Q&A will help explain why this program exists.

Become A Sponsor

The Aspire Scholarship Program offers a chance to empower deserving single parents through financial support for their education. By becoming a sponsor, you can make a meaningful impact, helping to break down financial barriers and unlock potential for the next generation of leaders. Your investment in education today will inspire hope and pave the way for a brighter future in our communities. Join us in this mission to make a difference!

Sponsor
Doctoral
Master's

Lance & Sharon Beshore Family Foundation Fund

Matt & Amanda Fry

Bachelor's

Sandy & Jeffrey Huffman

Dot Wilcoxon

Associate's

Beverly & Ken Block 

Lynda Homa

Vicky Mieseler

Merit

Max & JoAnn Vowels

Jeremy & Lenora Clouse

Nicki Lopez

Jonathan Garard

Clifford & Pamela Wert

Board of Directors

Todd Taylor
Executive Director
Todd Taylor proudly serves as Executive Director of the Board for ASPIRE of Southwest Missouri. He is deeply passionate about helping single parents pursue their college education and create brighter futures for their families. Todd believes that education has the power to change lives—not just for one individual, but for generations. Seeing single parents overcome obstacles and achieve their academic goals is what fuels his commitment to Aspire’s mission. With a background in fundraising, community outreach, and program development, Todd enjoys bringing people together to support a cause that truly makes a difference. He is honored to work alongside dedicated board members, generous donors, and strong community partners who share a heart for serving single-parent families. Todd’s hope is that ASPIRE of Southwest Missouri will continue to grow, reach more families, and provide encouragement, opportunity, and lasting impact for years to come. Todd Taylor-Executive Director
Joani Zibert
President
Joani Zibert serves as President of the Aspire Scholarship Foundation of Joplin, leading efforts to expand educational access and economic opportunity for single parents pursuing higher education. With more than 18 years of executive leadership experience across nonprofit governance, education innovation, funding strategy, and organizational growth, she brings both strategic vision and practical execution to Aspire’s mission. A nationally recognized school founder and nonprofit executive, Joani has held leadership roles spanning education law and policy, executive operations, marketing, and philanthropy. She currently serves as Director of Grants at Crowder College and as Executive Director of Pro Musica, where her work focuses on innovative funding, financial sustainability, community impact, policy advocacy, and organizational growth. Joani’s leadership is grounded in the belief that education is a powerful catalyst for generational and community change.
Nicki Lopez
Vice-President
Nicki is a Workplace Strategist at Grooms Office Environments, where she helps organizations create thoughtful, efficient workspaces that support both people and productivity. With a strong focus on leadership and community, Nicki is also a member of Leadership Joplin, actively engaging in initiatives that build a stronger future for the region. As a board member of the Aspire Scholarship Program, Nicki is passionate about supporting individuals who are driven to grow, lead, and overcome barriers. She brings a unique perspective rooted in real-world experience, and is honored to be part of a program that empowers others to realize their potential.
Richard Winesburg
Treasurer
Richard has served on the Aspire board since 2019 and currently serves as the board Treasurer. He is the President of Arvest Bank and has worked in the banking industry for 36 years. He believes in financial education and is passionate to see individuals accomplish their goals. Serving on the Aspire board has allowed him to work with students and invest in them and their future. Richard believes Aspire is truly making a difference in people's lives now and for future generations.
Megan Long
Secretary
Megan attended Crowder College and MSSU on basketball scholarships, where her love of sports and community began to flourish. Megan and her husband raised their five incredible children in Webb City and have enjoyed traveling the country supporting their athletic journeys—from high school gyms to college stadiums and even professional arenas. They are also proud grandparents. Megan spent many years as a high school teacher and coach, later expanding her career into both nonprofit and corporate sectors. Today, she is a dedicated entrepreneur and the owner of two thriving, women-owned businesses: Forged Waterjet Fabrications and an American Family Insurance agency.
Melissa Smith
Board Member
Melissa has been a board member with the Aspire Scholarship Program for four years, serving as President the last two. She has worked in higher education for the past 24 years is passionate about helping students reach their educational goals of pursuing a degree so they can improve the trajectory of not only their lives but the lives of their children. She whole heartedly believes in the mission of this organization and has personally witnessed the invaluable impact this scholarship provides for students.
Chris Mitchell
Board Member
Chris is the Student Disabilities Coordinator and Academic Success Coach at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO. He is a lifelong member of the Joplin community, serving in public education for 28 years as a teacher, coach, school counselor, and building administrator. He has a great interest in helping people achieve through education. He watched his father work three jobs to put his mother through school to become a registered nurse while raising two children. That education had a generational impact. Chris invests his time to assist others who, like his parents, desire to work hard to achieve their ambitions.
Del Camp
Board Member
Del Camp is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Mr. Camp has a Master’s Degree in Psychology, clinical emphasis, From Pittsburg State University, and has been licensed as a professional counselor since 2000. He began practicing behavioral health in Yellowstone National Park. He has been employed with Ozark Center for 31 years, and currently serves as the Chief Clinical Officer. He enjoys research and most recently investigated the use of AI in the delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Amanda Henson
Board Member
Amanda Henson is the Office Manager at LaFerla Wilson Orthodontics in Joplin, Missouri, where she leads operations, human resources, and team development. She holds a master’s degree in Human Resources and Management and is passionate about supporting growth and opportunity for others through leadership and service. Deeply rooted in the local community, Amanda is committed to supporting youth programs, education initiatives, and families across the Four States area. As a board member of the Aspire Single Parent Program, she is honored to support single parents as they pursue higher education, overcome barriers, and build brighter futures for their families.
Taylor Gravett
Board Member
Taylor Gravett is the Talent Acquisition Manager for Crossland Construction in Columbus, KS. Taylor has a master's degree in public administration from Arkansas State University. He has worked in the Talent space for nearly a decade in the 4 State area. Taylor is passionate about ensuring that no barriers stop anyone from reaching their full potential.