Barry University Receives $100,000 Moss Foundation Grant to Help Build South Florida's Next Generation of First Responders

Miami, FL - June 22, 2026: Barry University has received a $100,000 grant from the Moss Foundation to advance emergency services education within its College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences. The gift was formally presented at a check presentation ceremony held June 22, 2026, on the Barry University campus in Miami Shores.

The funding will support hands-on training resources, equipment, and programming across Barry University's EMS Academy, Fire Academy, and Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management program. It will also help offset training-related costs for students pursuing careers in emergency medical services, fire service, and emergency management.

"The Moss Foundation has made a significant impact across South Florida through investments that create opportunities and improve the quality of life in our communities," said Dr. Mike Allen, President of Barry University. "This partnership strengthens our ability to prepare the next generation of first responders, and we are deeply grateful for the Foundation's confidence in our students and our mission."

In recognition of the gift, Barry University has named its new training fire truck in honor of the Moss Foundation. The truck will be used in hands-on training for students in the Fire Academy.

Barry University's emergency services programs have expanded significantly in recent years, with enrollment growing more than 60 percent annually since 2023. The university expects to graduate more than 1,130 emergency services professionals in 2026, with projections reaching up to 1,300 the following year.

Among the university's most impactful initiatives is a high school EMT program that allows students to begin professional emergency medical training before graduation. What began with 45 students has grown to include partnerships with more than 17 high schools in Broward County, with capacity expected to reach up to 450 students.

"The EMS Academy and Fire Academy are built on a simple principle: students must train on the same equipment, under the same conditions, and with the same expectations they will encounter in the field," said Frank Galgano, Director of Emergency Management programs at Barry University. "Gifts like this one allow us to continue enhancing the resources, technology, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for the realities of emergency response, and we are proud of the results our graduates achieve."

Alberto Miranda, Vice President of the Moss Foundation, presented the gift to Barry University leadership during the ceremony.

About Barry University

As South Florida's largest private Catholic institution of higher learning and as one of the leading universities in the nation for promoting social mobility, Barry University is preparing students for the future workforce by offering them more than 100-degree programs in a variety of disciplines and giving them the tools and real-world experience that transform concepts into impact. Barry's programs center on experiential and service learning, responding to market conditions and addressing critical societal needs. Barry graduates are socially conscious leaders in many industries and in their communities. Learn more at barry.edu.

About the Moss Foundation

The Moss Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Moss family enterprise, which includes Moss & Associates, Moss Aviation Group, and Targa Real Estate Fund. The Foundation invests in communities across South Florida through initiatives that support education, workforce development, and quality of life.

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