USM Cybersecurity Awareness, Research, and Education Support (CARES) Center

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of Southern Maine (USM) is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Maine. USM is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and baccalaureate degrees to professional doctoral programs, USM is responsive to Maine’s education and economic development needs.

The USM Cybersecurity Awareness, Research, and Education Support (CARES) Center goal is to shape programs that include opportunities related to experiential learning, internships, scholarships, curriculum and workshop development, outreach programs, and applied research, with a collective goal of increasing the cyber talent and workforce capacity to meet Maine’s and private industry cyber needs.

USM CARES Center FacultyFull-Time Faculty
Lori Sussman – Director/Center Point of Contact
Ashley Hayes – Alternate PoC
Mark Monnin – Department Chair
Andrew Hughen – Lecturer


Part-Time Faculty
Cassandra Dove
Preston Noon
William Pooler
Nelson Velez
David Yasenchock

Benjamin Allen, Penetration Testing Manager
Moe Drouin, Detective Sergeant Criminal Investigation Division
Troy Jordan, Network Systems Security Analyst
Scott Valcort, Associate Professor

USM Security and Awareness
https://usm.maine.edu/computing/security
https://mycampus.maine.edu/group/mycampus/information-security