Regina Williams, a mother of two who works full-time at the United States Bankruptcy Court while raising her children, has been awarded an Ashford University full-tuition scholarship as a part of Project Working Mom. 

To earn the scholarship, Williams 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.

Williams, 50, whose son was born with two physical deformities as well as being mentally retarded, returned to work to help support her family when her child was only four months old. "The diagnosis was earth shattering for me. I was torn and broken but had a level of faith that sustained me then and throughout the years," Williams said.

"Over the years, my son has had four operations and has attended four special needs schools. He is now being main-streamed in Long Beach High School. While he is still labeled 'mentally retarded,' he is somehow able to produce a quality of work that allows his instructors to teach him in all areas of academics."

In her essay, Williams wrote, "My desire to go back to school is so that I can start a business to aid families of special needs children. This business will be a resource center for families online and have a location for parents to bring their special needs children for recreation. I am prepared to take whatever steps necessary to reach this goal.

"My education will open doors not only to me, but to other families in helping them know that there is someone out there that understands and is willing to help them through the hardest times of their lives."

She will be attending Ashford University to obtain a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management (Child Studies).

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.