To improve volunteer first responders’ access to high-quality online education, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) have once again partnered to award two NVFC members scholarships to CSU. Each scholarship covers up to 60 credit hours towards any one of CSU’s online degree programs. This year’s recipients are Anthony Dolce of Runnemede, NJ, and Jennifer Elleraas of Garrison, MN.
As deputy chief of the Runnemede Fire Department, Anthony Dolce serves a community of just over 8,300 residents in New Jersey. Leading a small combination department requires balancing operational readiness, training, administrative duties, and long-term planning. Dolce views continuing his education as a critical way to strengthen his leadership and further support his department.
Through this scholarship, Dolce will pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration, focusing on courses in leadership, emergency management, and public administration. By combining his hands-on experience with academic training, he aims to make data-driven decisions, implement modern risk-reduction strategies, and improve operational efficiency.
“This scholarship isn’t just an investment in my career – it’s an investment in the future of the emergency services community I serve,” said Dolce. “It will give me the tools to lead with purpose, adapt to the evolving demands of the fire service, and ensure the continued safety and resilience of the community I’ve proudly served for over a decade.”
Dolce also hopes his education will enhance his ability to mentor younger members, build stronger administrative systems, and collaborate with neighboring departments to advocate for small volunteer organizations.
Assistant Fire Chief Jennifer Elleraas serves with the Garrison Fire Department, a paid on-call department in rural Minnesota. Her leadership and dedication have already had a significant impact. Elleraas has secured over $100,000 in grants to improve firefighter safety, launched statewide initiatives to recruit women into the fire service, and was honored in 2024 as Minnesota’s Officer of the Year for towns under 10,000.
With this scholarship, she will pursue a master’s degree in emergency services management. Through this program, she hopes to deepen her expertise in disaster response, crisis management, and interagency coordination. “Living and serving in a rural community, I’ve seen firsthand how gaps in emergency services can put lives at risk,” said Elleraas. “This scholarship will equip me with advanced strategies to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery efforts not just for my department, but for rural fire and emergency services across the state.”
As a certified instructor and peer support provider, Elleraas is committed to sharing what she learns with others through training programs, community outreach, and mentoring. She sees the scholarship as an opportunity not just for her own growth, but for elevating the wider fire service community.
For more information on the NVFC scholarship, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/NVFC. In addition to eligibility to apply for the scholarship, NVFC members and their families receive a waived application fee and 10% tuition discount to CSU.
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
