Williams Baptist University is expanding its Williams Works initiative to include new commuter students from Lawrence and Randolph Counties. The work program will be available to incoming students from the two counties who live at home and who qualify for the Arkansas Challenge scholarship.

“Williams Works makes a high quality, Christian university education attainable for working class families,” said Dr. Brett Cooper, dean of work education at WBU. “We are expanding the program to allow commuter students from our immediate area to become a part of this program, get an outstanding education, and develop a great work ethic in the process.”

The Williams Works initiative covers full tuition and student service fees for students who work 16 hours per week through the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, Williams Works students can apply to work full-time through the summer to cover the following year’s room and board.

Currently, all students in Williams Works are required to live on campus, but the updated policy will allow some commuters from Lawrence and Randolph Counties to join the program, starting with the 2024 fall semester. For local commuters to qualify, they must be new students at WBU, and they are required to live with a parent or guardian and qualify for the Arkansas Challenge scholarship. 

Lawrence and Randolph Counties encompass Walnut Ridge, Hoxie, Pocahontas and other local communities.

“Williams Works imparts a Christian work ethic and critical work skills, even as it makes a great, Christ-centered education attainable for many students,” said WBU President Dr. Stan Norman. “We are very pleased to open new doors into this program, giving more students the opportunity to receive a life changing educational experience.”

For more information on WBU and the Williams Works initiative, go to williamsbu.edu.

Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.