Silver Spring, Md.— Agaba Bisengo, a Congo-Kinshasa native who spent much of her childhood in a Uganda refugee camp, has been awarded an Ashford University full-ride scholarship as a part of the Project Working Moms and Dads advocacy campaign.

To earn the scholarship, Bisengo submitted an essay about her higher education aspirations. Her entry was selected out of nearly 130,000 Ashford University applicants to the "Project Working Mom and Dads, Too!" scholarship opportunity, sponsored by e-Learners.com, a web resource of EducationDynamics. The program helps send parents to college— tuition free—– in these difficult economic times.

"Growing up in refugee camps in East Africa exposed me to the various economic, social and security challenges faced by millions of people in the developing world. Having witnessed the impact of underdevelopment, conflict and forced displacement, I decided to pursue a career in international studies to help those in dire conditions by addressing their development, health, education and security challenges," Bisengo said. "Getting an online master's degree is right for me because it allows me to spend time with my 16-month-old son."

The availability of online degree programs and the convenience of 24-hour access to course work have made Ashford University a popular destination for students seeking a high-quality higher education without sacrificing their own quality of life.

“We are pleased to award Agaba this scholarship,” Ashford University President Dr. Jane McAuliffe said. “The escalating interest in this scholarship campaign illustrates the importance of higher education to working parents across America. We look forward to working with Agaba to help her achieve her educational goals.” 

Bisengo, 26, came to the United States in 1996. "For the first time in my life, I was able to be the citizen of a country. Secondly, it gave me the stability to pursue my education," she said.

She graduated high school with honors and worked three jobs to pay for her tuition while attending Messiah College, where she studied political science with a concentration in international relations and a minor in economics.

"After graduating from Messiah College, I led a mission of 14 American students to Congo and Rwanda. Our task was to teach math, English and share the gospel with orphans in both nations. The mission was very challenging.

"For most of the team members, it was their first trip to Africa and, as a result, some students got sick because of the change in the weather and food. The budget constraints and medical problems of some of the team members taught me how to lead in challenging circumstances. Despite obstacles, the team accomplished its objectives," Bisengo continued. "I now look forward to the challenge of earning my master's degree at Ashford University." 

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