$3M grant expands high-speed internet access for UMES students

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Nearly $3 million is heading to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to make sure students stay connected to the internet.

The university was one over 60 HBCU’s to receive grant funding from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program.

We’re told the university recently received approval to move several of their programs online and that they want to ensure students have secure internet connections.

University personnel tell us the funds will not only expand high-speed internet but help them increase their cyber security efforts. “What we are trying to do here is improve our own infrastructure and our own security to ensure that our students, faculty and staff that are accessing broadband on our campus and in our community that we have a safe and secure environment,” UMES Administration & Finance VP Anatasia Rodriguez said.

We’re told the university also has plans to share this expanded access with the community.

They’re working with the town of Princess Anne to best determine locations for future access points.