Davis is a paramedic with Mercy Regional EMS in Owasso, Okla. He has more than two decades of experience working in EMS, and also has worked in the police field as a reserve officer and sargeant. “I started as a paramedic 21 years ago and have dedicated my life to this career,” says Davis. “My educational goal is to obtain a Master's degree in emergency management, and my employment goals are to eventually be a director of operations or chief of EMS.”

Johnson is a paramedic with the Shreveport (La.) Fire Department. “My goal is to help improve emergency medical services from the administrative side on a local and state level. This degree will allow me to help the citizens of Shreveport by providing the tools for planning, motivating, educating and training.” Johnson is grateful for the scholarship, noting that it “will assist me in achieving my educational goals and will allow me to give back to EMS.”

The Degree Completion scholarships sponsored by The College Network are for up to $2,500 each for those who are taking courses through The College Network. Other scholarships offered to full, active NAEMT members include:

- First Responders, to become EMT-Basic - up to $500 each
- EMT-Basic, to become EMT-Paramedic - up to $5,000 each
- Paramedics, to advance their education in the realm of EMS - up to $2,000 each

The next deadline for scholarship applications for The College Network Degree Completion scholarship is March 15. The deadline for all EMS scholarships is June 15, 2011. To learn more and apply for a scholarship, go to the Member Resources section of the site. You'll need to log in as a member.