WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL VISITS CISCO ACADEMY AT OC
OXNARD, California— The Cisco Regional Networking Academy at Oxnard College recently showcased some of its innovative computer training programs to Leslie Sanchez, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.
Appointed by President George W. Bush a year ago, Ms. Sanchez leads a task force that seeks to identify and increase educational opportunities for Hispanic students. She and officials from Cisco Systems visited the campus on Wednesday, October 23, as part of a swing through the state visiting the sites of innovative educational programs that are the result of partnerships between schools and business interests.
“Our goal is to continue to increase partnerships with business and industry and to provide our students with these unique educational opportunities,” said Oxnard College President Lydia Ledesma-Reese, welcoming Ms. Sanchez, Cisco officials and some of the local high school technology instructors trained at the academy.
Ms. Sanchez said she would include the success of the Cisco Academy in her final report to President Bush when members of the White House task force assemble early in 2003.
“The goal (of the task force) is to develop a multi-year plan to help ‘close the gap’ in providing educational opportunities for Hispanic students, while making it clear that local communities need to retain local control,” said Ms. Sanchez.
Also welcoming Ms. Sanchez Oxnard College Executive Vice President of Student Learning Ramiro Sanchez, who with Dean of Business and Technology Cheryl Shearer praised the program and the dedication of founding Cisco Academy technology instructor Ed Lynch.
“As a very small college without a large budget we had a very good beginning when Cisco made an investment in equipment – routers and switches – when they established the academy at Oxnard College,” said Lynch.
"The Cisco Networking Academy program is our education program helping local organizations bridge the digital divide in U.S. communities like Oxnard and at Hispanic-serving institutions like Oxnard College," said Tina Franklin, Coordinator for Academy Development at Cisco Systems.
Before she concluded her visit, Ms. Sanchez gave encouragement to a group of Hueneme High School students whose instructor, Dominick Trevino, was trained at the Cisco Academy.
“As we identify our model programs we can’t overemphasize the importance of role modeling for other students,” she added.
The CISCO program prepares students to take the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) exam required for a technician to administer a Local Area Network. The certification also prepares students to configure Cisco routers for advanced networking and provide Cisco support to troubleshoot and repair network problems, said Lynch. |
