The project implements the Cisco Networking Academy specializing in virtualization and server consolidation. The project also develops a networking and information systems security workforce. The disciplinary focus is information technologies education and the project elevates the curriculum to meet current workforce needs and a transitioning local and global economy. The project is lead by Computer Information Technology (CIT) faculty. CIT is a two-year, associate's degree program preparing graduates for employment with organizations that use computers to process, manage, and communicate information. Implementation of the Academy and partnerships with K-12 schools for the first level Cisco courses and with regional community colleges for the second level Cisco course delivery are underway. Results are disseminated locally and regionally to enhance CIT program training strategies and aid economic development efforts with a trained workforce. The primary audience is two-year college students and secondary school students, while two-year college faculty complete professional development. The project initiates a new class of knowledge workers within the CIT field. CIT technicians, through this activity, understand securing, virtualizing, and consolidating networks while creating awareness for energy conservation measures. Underrepresented groups are encouraged to participate in the training program. Project evaluation is a measurement of learning outcomes and successful certifications in Cisco-related competencies.
Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Project Outcomes Report* Security Networking Workforce Development Cleveland Community College (CCC) set an ambitious goal of developing the first Cisco® Networking Academy® specializing in virtualization and server consolidation in the area and also developing a networking and information systems security workforce, all in just two years. The intellectual merit of the project includes its initiation of a new class of knowledge workers within the computer information technology (CIT) field. CIT technicians and faculty trained through this initiative better understand securing, virtualizing, and consolidating networks as well as energy conservation measures in these environments. Centered on the high profile Cisco® Networking Academy®, a new realm of postsecondary education and training emerged for the areas of virtualization and server consolidation. This specialization kept local business competitive in the market and resulted in broader impacts of the project. In addition, underrepresented groups were encouraged to enroll. At project end, underrepresented student populations identified by socioeconomic status, gender, and race/ethnicity had significant presence in Networking and Security programs. Socioeconomic status: 61 percent of students received a government grant (Pell) assistance; Gender: Females captured nearly one-quarter of enrollment in these programs; Race/Ethnicity: Nearly one-quarter of enrollment included Blacks, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Other. In addition, the project developed two new, high level Networking courses. CCC reached 31 percent more students than original projections. Eighty-eight percent of students passed courses that were developed as part of the project's focus. Through an external evaluation of the project, reports demonstrate that CCC succeeded in dramatically increasing the number of students choosing to pursue a Networking Associate degree or a Cisco® Networking Certificate. Further, the College successfully created the Cisco® Networking Academy® offering courses essential to prepare a student for the CCNA exam. The report also demonstrated CCC’s ability to prepare students for credentialing exams and expand their job opportunities. *This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
