Jessica Spradley of Gaston, South Carolina, is the recipient of Columbia Southern University’s National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Scholarship, an annual scholarship given to one NAEMT member per year. She will pursue an MPA in emergency services management, a dream she has had since she earned her bachelor’s degree.

“Financially, I am still paying on student loans for that initial undergraduate degree and this scholarship would help me achieve my dream and alleviate the financial burden that more education brings,” she said. “Not only am I a first generation college graduate, I even gained a high school diploma when my parents did not.”

Spradley hopes that earning her master’s degree will help her better understand the issues facing both the public and fellow paramedics, as well as pursue promotions within her department.

“As a paramedic, I have a ton of emergency scene management skills and I have dealt with the public during trying times on many occasions,” she said. “Hopefully more education, such as this master’s degree, would make me a more qualified candidate.”

Education scholarship opportunities from CSU are offered to NAEMT Active and Associate members as part of their member benefits package. Applications are accepted from Sept. 1 - Oct. 31.