Lakeshore Technical College has received a second National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant only one month after receiving its first grant in the advanced technological education category. 

The $332,076 grant will be awarded over three years to attract and support learners of all ages interested in a cybersecurity career.

“The need for skilled cybersecurity technicians continues growing and this grant will help us turn east central Wisconsin from a cybersecurity education desert to a destination for cybersecurity education,” said Lakeshore President Dr. Paul Carlsen. 

“In addition, we will focus on attracting individuals of all ages who may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore this field as a career.”

The grant will allow Lakeshore to provide cybersecurity instruction to high school students through its College Here & Now model, which allows students to take college level courses at their high school without any tuition cost. 

Students will have the opportunity to take first semester courses in Lakeshore’s IT-Cybersecurity Specialist associate degree program at their high school, without any tuition cost. 

Students who start on this cybersecurity educational pathway will be able to complete their IT-Cybersecurity Specialist associate degree at Lakeshore within an additional 18 months. 

Over the three year grant period, Carlsen anticipates enrolling 54 additional students in the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program. He says Lakeshore will also develop mentorship and scholarship programs for all ages and participate in cyber competitions and summer camps. 

Lakeshore’s new IT-Cybersecurity Specialist associate degree program has start dates in August and January. Details can be found at gotoltc.edu/programs-and-courses/degree-programs/it-cybersecurity-specialist. 

Approximately 800 students graduate from Lakeshore Technical College each year, and associate degree graduates earn a median salary of $54,048 per year. 

In addition to the Cleveland campus, Lakeshore serves students in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, and offers classes at additional sites throughout the district. Visit Lakeshore at gotoltc.edu.