Sara Bryant
Sara Bryant of Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded the Hero Behind the Hero Scholarship. She is a former EMT and firefighter with the Albuquerque Fire Department, the wife of a police officer and mother of four.
“While serving as a firefighter and paramedic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I helped pioneer a proactive outreach program within an already overwhelmed 911 system,” she said. “Many of our calls involved unhoused individuals experiencing acute alcohol intoxication. These calls were often initiated by well-meaning citizens who were afraid to approach someone in distress but did not know how else to help.”
Bryant partnered with a police officer to take a different approach instead of waiting for the next call.
“We patrolled areas with high concentrations of vulnerable individuals and made contact before a crisis escalated,” she explained. “I would assess medical needs on scene, treat what I could, and when appropriate, offer transportation to a local detox facility where they could receive care, monitoring and temporary shelter.”
With this scholarship, Bryant plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration.
“My experiences have prepared me for a degree in criminal justice not only through professional knowledge, but through lived understanding,” she said. “I hope to continue serving in an administrative role, shaping policies that strengthen systems and support the communities and families who depend on them.”
Ih’mya Edwards
Ih’mya Edwards of Jackson, Mississippi, has been named the recipient of the Knight Scholarship. She is a first-generation college student with dreams of becoming a lawyer.
“I want to be someone who truly listens to people and understands where they’re coming from, not just someone who shows up in a courtroom,” she said. “I want to help bring trust back into a system that has failed so many people. Even though the field has a lot of challenges, I believe change is possible, and I want to be part of that change by fighting for fairness and making sure everyone has a chance at real justice.”
With this scholarship, Edwards plans to pursue an associate degree in criminal justice administration.
“Access to good legal representation is also a big challenge,” she said. “Not everyone can afford a strong lawyer, and sometimes people end up punished more harshly just because they didn’t have the right support. That doesn’t feel fair, and it motivates me even more to become a lawyer.”
For more information about Columbia Southern University’s scholarships, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/Scholarships.
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.
