AUBURN —  Central Maine Community College graduate Amanda Tierney is among 21 top students nationwide who will receive $1,000 college scholarships to support their pursuit of law enforcement/public safety careers by the professional public safety officers of the Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP).

An Oxford Hills High School graduate who resides in South Paris, Tierne earned her associate’s degree with high honors in criminal justice at CMCC and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in justice studies (with a concentration in terrorism and homeland security) at Southern New Hampshire University.

A Tri-Town Rescue and North East Mobile Health Services EMT, Tierney also serves as an intern with the Department of Homeland Security. Her career goal is to work in homeland security and counter terrorism.

“Amanda has become a relied-upon source of guidance and advice on patient care questions from crews. Personally, I quickly realized that Amanda is a high-caliber, well-rounded individual with character, dedication and integrity,” wrote LeRoy Johnson Jr., division commander at North East Mobile Health Services, in a letter of recommendation.

Now in its ninth year, LEEP has awarded some $102,000 in Dream Scholarships to students who have demonstrated strong interest in public service/law enforcement careers. The nonprofit public safety group’s scholarship program is made possible by a growing list of national supporters.