• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Recipient •

Shortly after graduating from the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences in 2018, Rebecca Sterner began her career with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service as a county extension agent. As if starting a full-time job wasn’t enough, Sterner also enrolled in the Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education degree program at the University of Arkansas.

“Earning this degree will also help me get promotions when I am further into my career,” said Sterner, who works in her home county. “I was the first graduate from the ag leadership program, so I take extra pride in the fact I get to use my skills and knowledge from my education to invest in Arkansas youth. Earning this degree means every woman in my family has a master's degree.”

While many graduate programs require on-campus participation, the degree Sterner chose has an online degree option allowing her to complete her degree from across the state.

“I am very thankful for the option to complete my degree completely online,” Sterner said. “I hope to use what I’ve learned in the new program to assist other rural Arkansans by providing scholarships to assist them in their journey at the U of A in the future.”

Sterner is one of 23 people receiving the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online U of A students for the 2020-2021 academic year. Sterner currently serves the youth of her home county and plans to continue working as a county Extension agent upon completing her degree.

“I am so thankful to receive this scholarship,” Sterner said. “For me, receiving this scholarship will aid in allowing me to complete my graduate degree debt-free.”