Karmen Sanak of Arkansas County

Balancing a toddler, college, and a budding health care career might sound like a juggling act best left to superheroes. But for Karmen Sanak, it’s just a typical Tuesday.

Karmen, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s June Student of the Month, is currently working toward a certificate in radiography at Baptist Health College Little Rock. She’s not just surviving — she’s thriving with a 3.85 GPA and loves her chosen career path.

“I chose radiography because of the fascinating things you see every day!” Karmen said. “There are so many opportunities in this field, and I’m excited to grow in it.”

After graduating next spring, Karmen plans to take the X-ray and computerized tomography (CT) registry tests. She wants to launch her career at the CT department at Baptist Health, where she’s already working as an assistant and currently transitioning into a student tech role.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, she’s doing all this while raising her bright and busy 3-year-old son, Caylen, in Stuttgart, a roughly 50-mile commute to school and work in Little Rock.

Karmen Sanak (center) receives her Spring 2025 scholarship at an event in Monticello after Susan Akin (left) and Jessica Holmes gave inspiring speeches to encourage recipients to not give up on their academic goals. 

Caylen is already following in Mom’s footsteps. While Karmen is hitting the books, Caylen is learning letters, shapes, colors, animals, and words from his day care’s “Focus Wall.” Their household is full of growth and alphabet songs.

Of course, this journey hasn’t come without sacrifices. Like many single parent students, Karmen had to cut back her work hours to focus on school, making her finances tight. That’s where the single parent scholarship made a real impact. She received her first scholarship last fall.

“I used my check to help with bills and necessities that my paychecks couldn’t cover,” she said. “The biggest challenge I face as a single parent is trying to balance school, work, and raising a child all at once.”

Beyond financial support, Karmen has also taken advantage of ASPSF’s free workshops and resources, helping her grow both personally and professionally.

“If I could thank a donor, I would say, ‘Thank you for your generosity. It has helped me more than you know by helping me take some off of my plate while continuing my education!” Karmen said. 

Congratulations, Karmen! We can’t wait to see you in a white coat, transforming lives one scan at a time.