Darlene Brown, a mother of five who was recruited to college by her own daughter, has been awarded an Ashford University full-tuition scholarship as a part of Project Working Mom. 

To earn the scholarship, Brown submitted an essay about her higher education aspirations. Her entry was selected out of more than 12,000 Ashford University applicants to the Project Working Mom scholarship program, developed by eLearners.com, a Web resource of EducationDynamics. Ashford University awarded 10 full-tuition scholarships.

Brown, 48, who gets her inspiration from her mother's dream of attending nursing school, first attended nursing school as a single, expectant mother. In her 20's, she received her associate's degree in Nursing from a community college, but was not able to continue with her education. "I had always promised myself that I would return to college after all my children were in school to further my degree," Brown said.

"I found my niche in Obstetrical Nursing, where I have practiced for nearly 22 years. What started as a means to survive financially has grown to become a huge part of my existence. Nursing is no longer what I do but, rather, has become who I am."

In her essay, Brown wrote about her future goals of earning a bachelor's degree and then pursuing a master's degree. "I will further my health care career by practicing as a college professor, a career path that I believe to be of great importance and critical need. I wish to empower new students with my knowledge, experience and deep passion for nursing and the health care industry."

She is currently attending Ashford University to obtain dual bachelor's degrees in Health Care Administration and Journalism and Mass Communication. Brown says these two degrees, with her nursing background, will open opportunities in management, academic advancement and teaching abilities.

Ashford University is one of eight accredited online institutions donating more than 280 full-tuition scholarships worth nearly $5 million to the Project Working Mom campaign in 2010.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.