Cisco Systems Opens Academy at Norfolk State
Norfolk, Va.
Cisco Systems, Inc., one of the world’s leading makers of computer networking equipment, has established a Cisco Networking Academy at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va. Since 1997, Cisco has established networking academies at educational institutions to teach students networking and information technology relating to Cisco’s products and services.
The academy’s 560-hour curriculum covers eight semesters and uses Web-based instruction, instructor-led teaching and hands-on laboratories to teach students to design, build and maintain computer networks.
The Norfolk State academy is offering four semesters of the eight-semester program. Students successfully completing the four semesters will become Cisco certified network associates. Students completing all eight semesters of the program can become a Cisco certified network professional. University officials want to eventually offer all eight semesters of instruction in the school’s academy.
“The establishment of this program marks another major step for our School of Science and Technology into the technologically driven marketplace of the 21st century,” says Norfolk State’s president, Dr. Marie McDemmond.
Over the past three years, Cisco has opened academies in more than 5,200 institutions in all 50 states and 84 nations. Norfolk State is the first four-year institution in Virginia to house a Cisco Networking Academy.
“In addition to the classroom training, Cisco’s Networking Academy now helps students transition from the classroom to the real world. Networking Academy students can search an online database of employers that have partnered with Cisco to offer hands-on opportunities via internships, mentor programs . . .,” says Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, dean of the university’s School of Science and Technology. “This aspect of the program will open so many doors for our students.”
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