Orange County Launches Cybersecurity Scholarship, Boosts Local Workforce Training

Orange County moved to formalize a new pathway into cybersecurity careers when Executive Steve Neuhaus announced the county's inaugural Cybersecurity Scholarship at Mount Saint Mary College's Annual Scholarship Appreciation Brunch on November 21, 2025. The first recipient is Mount Saint Mary College student Josiah Maddicks, and county officials said the scholarship was funded with proceeds from the County's Hudson Valley Regional Cybersecurity Summit. The announcement was posted to the County NewsFlash on November 21, 2025.

County leaders framed the scholarship as an investment in local workforce capacity. Officials said the award will support expansion of cybersecurity education at the college level and help build a pipeline of trained professionals for area employers in technology, healthcare, education, and government. College and county executives pledged to continue the partnership and to expand related workforce development initiatives in coming years.

The scholarship ties a public convening to concrete talent development by converting summit proceeds into student support. That model aligns spending on professional development and networking with longer term workforce objectives, a potentially efficient use of public and stakeholder resources. For Orange County residents, the initiative could lower barriers to entry for residents seeking well paid technical work while also providing employers with more local applicants who have relevant training.

Beyond immediate student support, county officials emphasized broader economic goals. Strengthening cybersecurity capacity can reduce risk for small businesses and municipal services, and it can make the region more attractive to firms that demand secure operations. Continued collaboration between the county and Mount Saint Mary College may expand certificate programs, internships, and employer partnerships that help sustain the local talent pipeline.

The scholarship represents a first step in an effort county leaders describe as ongoing. With the inaugural award now granted, officials plan to build on the Hudson Valley summit proceeds and deepen the partnership with the college to scale up workforce development and educational offerings for Orange County residents.