Washington, DC – Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen announced that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has been awarded a $147,479 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The money will be used to bring digital technology to classes where fashion design and merchandising are taught. About 90 UMES undergraduates major in fashion merchandising, and this funding will help expand the curriculum and grow the program.

“Access to the latest technology is critical for students’ long-term success. It ensures they have the familiarity and training necessary to compete in this rapidly changing market,” said Senator Cardin. “Federal investments like these go a long way toward exposing Maryland’s students to that technology and improving our schools’ job training programs. That’s a win-win for the next generation of the Eastern Shore’s working professionals and the local economy alike.”

“This grant will help bring technology to the classroom and allow UMES to expand its fashion design and merchandising program,” said Senator Van Hollen. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to making important federal investments in the Eastern Shore and the entire state. Together, we will improve our schools, expand our job training programs, and grow our economy.”

“This grant will have far-reaching effects and allow us to apply technology across the curriculum,” said Dr. Grace Namwamba, chairwoman of UMES’ Department of Human Ecology. “Our students will be more engaged and more in demand by the fashion industry.”