Collins meets with Cohen Institute High School Leadership Program students
ORONO — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine met with students involved in the Cohen Institute High School Leadership Program at the University of Maine. Several dozen high school students across all 16 Maine counties were selected to participate in the program and earn up to three early college credits.
“I enjoyed meeting with Maine high school students from all 16 counties who were selected to participate in the William S. Cohen Institute High School Leadership Program at the University of Maine,” said Collins. “These bright young people will spend the week developing their skills and taking rigorous classes as they prepare to become the future leaders of our state. I was delighted to speak with them about the public service of my friend, Secretary Cohen, and share some of my own experiences in the U.S. Senate.”
The William S. Cohen Institute for Leadership & Public Service models, promotes and teaches leadership and public service. The students reside at the University of Maine for one week and participate in various leadership building activities and public service seminars. The program is free for students.
Collins has championed policies to expand access to higher education through her role on the Education Committee. As co-chair of the Congressional TRIO Caucus, Collins led a record number of bipartisan Senators earlier this month in pushing for continued funding for Federal TRIO Programs, which help to ensure that underserved students have equal access to a college education and the support they need to prepare for, succeed in, and graduate from higher education.
Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen represented Maine for 18 years in the U.S. Senate and six years in the House. Upon graduating from college, Collins worked for him for 12 years. At the beginning of the 116th Congress, Secretary Cohen escorted Collins through the Senate Chamber as she was sworn in for an historic fifth term.