FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A new scholarship at Broward College to support Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students is the first of its type created through the Broward College Foundation.

The scholarship is funded by a $10,000 donation from CORE Construction, which has its Florida headquarters located in Fort Lauderdale. The scholarship will fully fund EMT training for two students each semester at the College.

The idea for the scholarship came from Cody Kiess, President of CORE’s Florida operations, who was inspired by his own experience as a local police explorer and by his mother’s service as a firefighter with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. In conversations with various first responders, Kiess learned just how significant the financial barriers can be for young people pursuing a career in fire service. EMT school, paramedic certification, and fire academy training are often required just to apply.

From there, Kiess connected with Broward College President and CEO Torey Alston, who quickly brought in the Broward College Foundation. Together, the partners worked to create a scholarship that could help eliminate those barriers and give students a clear path into public safety careers.

"Broward College is dedicated to being the number one destination for academic excellence, and that’s reflected in the quality of our programs in the health sciences including EMTs,” Alston said. “When our community partners join with Broward College to solve problems (removing financial barriers), our students and the community win.”

The launch event also recognized two students preparing to begin EMT school this semester — both participants in the Explorer program — who now have a fully funded opportunity to pursue their training.

“This isn’t just about funding a class,” said Kiess. “It’s about helping young people in our community move forward. If this scholarship keeps someone on the path to becoming a firefighter or paramedic, then it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to.”

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan, who attended the event, noted the life-saving ripple effect of the initiative: “I can’t wait to see, through this gift, the number of lives they’ll be able to save during their careers.”

The program will continue each semester, building a pipeline of skilled, local EMTs — and a stronger, safer Broward County.

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