Established in 2011, the 2013 Gary Keisling ACCESS Scholarship program will offer 22 scholarships to students who are interested in pursuing their education online in one of Ashworth College's or James Madison High School’s 115+ high school, career and degree programs.

This year Ashworth and James Madison High School will award 4 full-ride high school scholarships, 10 career diploma scholarships, 4 single semester tuition associate degree scholarships, and 4 single semester tuition bachelor’s degree scholarships. The scholarships are open to all students.    

The ACCESS Scholarship program was established in 2011, in recognition of our school's former president and chief executive officer, the late Gary Keisling, for his dedication and contributions to Ashworth College, James Madison High School and the field of distance education. 

"We're pleased that we can honor Gary in this manner," said Dr. Leslie Gargiulo, Ashworth College's Chief Education Officer. "It's fitting that we recognize his commitment to education and pay it forward."  Gargiulo went on to explain that the scholarship's name ACCESS is an acronym for Ashworth College Continuing Education for Student Success which reflects Keisling's personal and professional mission to offer underserved populations historically having limited access to educational opportunities or an accredited diploma or degree that is both affordable and accessible.

Having served in an executive capacity for more than 25 years, Gary Keisling was highly regarded as an industry leader and influential advocate for the benefits of distance education.  In addition to his role at Ashworth College, he also served on the Distance Education and Training Council's (DETC) Board of Trustees from 1989 until 1998 and held the positions of First Vice President, President and Vice Chairman.  Gary was presented with DETC's Distinguished Service and Distinguished Recognition Award for his dedication to distance education.

2011 Recipients                 Program

Vitaliy Sidlinskiy              James Madison High School Diploma    

Chayce Paul Burton         James Madison High School Diploma

Serena Powell                  Forensic Science, Career Diploma

Chris Dolor                       Electronics, Career Diploma

Tawana Donelly                Marketing Communications, Career Diploma

Stephanie Spencer           Certified Wedding Planner, Career Diploma

Tamara Ingram                 Child Care Skills, Career Diploma

Donna Burton                   Certified Pharmacy Technician, Career Diploma

Cidalia Cornelio                 Small Business Management, Career Diploma

Courtney Farmer               Small Business Management, Career Diploma

Lisa Denise Evans             Marketing Communications, Career Diploma

Elizabeth Russo                Accounting, Career Diploma

Cheyenne Ramsden           Computer Information Systems, Associate Degree

Katherine Hohberger           Marketing, Associate Degree

Omayra Bennett                 Accounting, Associate Degree

Anthony Turner                   Business Management, Associate Degree

Rhonda McMullen               Early Childhood Education, Bachelor’s Degree

Samantha Miller                 Business Administration, Bachelor’s Degree

Gezel Dasent-Powell          Business Administration, Bachelor’s Degree

Glendora Bention                Management, Bachelor’s Degree

How to Apply for a Gary Keisling ACCESS SCHOLARSHIP

To be considered for an ACCESS Scholarship, each applicant must submit an application and an original 250-500 word essay. High school and degree applications may also require past transcripts reflecting a 3.0 GPA or equivalent. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1, 2013. All applications are due by February 14th and recipients will be announced on March 1.

If you’re ready to apply for a Gary Keisling Access Scholarship, please complete the attached application form that corresponds to the type of educational program you are interested in applying for.  There is a unique application form for each type of educational program offered.  You can enter all the required information (including the essay) electronically within the application form with the exception of the signature. 

We do need an authentic signature, so after filling out the application form, please print out the application form and physically sign your signature.  You will then need to scan the application form and email it to us at the email address provided in the application form. 

If you have any questions about this scholarship program, please contact our Registrar's Office at 770-729-8400 (Extension 5297) or let us know your questions in the comments section of this blog.

We appreciate your interest in this exciting scholarship program and look forward to reviewing your application.  Thanks!