Nearly $1 Million for Thomas College Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill in First Key Step

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $974,000 for Thomas College in the draft Fiscal Year 2023 Education appropriations bill.  The bill, which was officially released by the full Senate Appropriations Committee today, must still be voted upon by the full Senate and House.

“Cyberattacks pose a grave risk to our national security, intellectual property, personal data, and public safety.  Several recent high-profile hacks have demonstrated how vulnerable U.S. networks are to cyberattacks and should serve as a wake-up call about the need to address our glaring vulnerabilities,” said Senator Collins.  “By helping to train and expand cybersecurity professionals in Maine, Thomas College’s Project Sentinel would protect our computer networks while also creating career paths to good-paying jobs for Mainers.”

The funding would support Thomas College’s “Project Sentinel,” which would create a pipeline for qualified students into Thomas College's undergraduate and graduate degree programs in cybersecurity, computer science, and technology-related fields to quickly expand enrollment and employment opportunities.  By increasing access to specialized degree programs for traditionally underrepresented students, this effort would help increase the number of professionals in the cybersecurity field, which is in high demand.