At Easterseals Arkansas, our mission is made real through team members who lead with expertise, empathy, and a deep belief in inclusion. This week, we’re proud to spotlight Marsha Hays, a Transition Employment Specialist with our SET for Success program. Learn more about SET for Success within our Supported employment and education services.
Dedicated to Helping Students Build Confidence
Marsha brings 20+ years of experience as a social worker and counselor to her work supporting students with disabilities as they prepare for what comes next: employment, education, and greater independence.
She was drawn to Easterseals Arkansas because she wanted her work to make a lasting difference:
“I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students with disabilities… Being able to help students build confidence, develop new skills, and celebrate their progress—no matter how big or small—has been incredibly rewarding.”
A Person-Centered Approach That Sees Strength First
Marsha is known for her compassionate, relationship-driven style and her ability to help students move past barriers that stand between them and their goals. She focuses on each student’s strengths, aspirations, and individuality. Because real support starts with truly seeing the person.
Her colleagues describe her as flexible, dependable, and committed to high-quality work in every situation, and the people she serves often share the same sentiment: Marsha will go the extra mile.
Experience and Credentials Rooted in Arkansas
A proud graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Marsha holds:
- Master of Counseling in Rehabilitation
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Associate of Arts (Pulaski Technical College)
She is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Supported Employment Specialist, and Certified Job Coach, and stays engaged in ongoing growth through professional and community connections, including the National Association of Social Workers and Toastmasters Little Rock.
Marsha grew up in the Western Hills community in Little Rock. While she has lived in several states, she’s proud to call Little Rock home.
What Her Day Off Looks Like
Outside of work, Marsha’s life reflects the same warmth and community spirit she brings to Easterseals.
On a day off, you might find her:
- Walking her dog
- Drinking coffee with friends
- Serving in leadership roles in her community and church
- Canoeing the Buffalo River on a warm summer day
She also enjoys hiking, swimming, cooking, watercolor painting, arts and crafts, grilling outdoors, and learning about herbs, foods, vitamins, and their medicinal purposes.
Giving Back is Part of Who She Is
Marsha regularly volunteers through homeless ministry, mission trips, and community outreach events, and she’s even supported efforts like teaching English as a second language.
Her passion for service is so central to her identity that when asked what she could never give up, her answer was simple and powerful: serving, caregiving, and freedom.
A Legacy of Kindness, Dignity, and Living Life Fully
Marsha’s work has been recognized through honors like Counselor of the Year (2022), but she’ll be the first to say the real reward is witnessing students’ resilience and growth.
When asked how she hopes to be remembered, she shared:
“I want to be remembered as a kind, gentle soul that lived life to the fullest.”
Thank you, Marsha!
Easterseals Arkansas is stronger because of professionals like Marsha Hays. People who combine deep expertise with genuine care, and who help students move toward adulthood with more confidence, more skills, and more opportunities.
