Feature Story

March 10, 2006

By Jenny Carless, News@Cisco

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, many people feel a strong desire to pick up and move to the affected area in order to provide help first-hand. For most, the realization soon sets in that they can't leave their jobs and other obligations for an extended period of time.

That's not the case for a select group of Cisco Systems employees who have moved to the Gulf region to help rebuild its educational infrastructure after Hurricane Katrina. These individuals will spend at least one year working with local educators to rebuild schools and communities with a 21st century educational approach.

Untold numbers of individuals and organizations from around the United States and the world are working hand-in-hand with the Gulf communities to offer whatever help they require. In addition to making a $3.7 million donation from its employees and the corporate foundation, Cisco recently announced the 21st Century Schools ("21S") Initiative.

The 21S Initiative is a blueprint for reconstructing and improving schools that will begin in the Gulf states and can be replicated around the world. Cisco is committed to expanding the learning opportunities for students in the region with educational technology, online curriculum materials and professional development to facilitate innovative and effective teaching and learning.

An important aspect of the 21S Initiative is the full-time participation of eight 21S Fellows.

Developing Community - and Corporate - Leadership

The Cisco Leadership Fellows Initiative, created in 2004, develops the company's next generation of leaders with community engagement opportunities matched to an individual's skills. Leadership Fellows offer their experience and resourcefulness to create programs that demonstrate the value of Internet technology adoption and business innovation while helping to increase the productivity and sustainability of the communities in which they work.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Cisco evolved this program and launched the 21S Fellowship Program, which is specifically designed to serve Cisco's 21S Initiative by engaging employees who possess skills and expertise (in areas such as wireless technology and instructional media technology, as well as communications) that are critical for this education effort.

"Cisco's Leadership Fellows Initiative allows our employees to make a difference in our communities, which is a very important part of our culture," said Barbara Jones, senior manager, Leadership Development. "But their work is not just altruistic-it also serves as a valuable leadership development experience and an opportunity to demonstrate the value of technology adoption in a wide variety of environments."

"Cisco believes that giving back is more than just writing a check," she continued. "Therefore, these Fellows Initiatives allow Cisco to offer the expertise and experience of our most valuable asset - our employees -in ways that benefit our community at the same time providing a development opportunity to the fellow."

The 21S fellows will work together on a wide range of projects. Based on their expertise, they have been divided into three teams including technology, governance (e.g., communications, facilities, partner relationship management) and instruction. Each fellow is developing strategies for the various program areas (e.g., wireless mesh networks, professional learning communities, partnerships) that will be implemented in all participating school districts with state administrators and partners. In addition, the fellows are working directly with a specific school district, partnering with the administrators throughout the year.

Making a Difference

These employees are a diverse, yet cohesive group. They come from two countries (the United Kingdom and the United States) and five states, and they represent six different Cisco business organizations.

"The thing that unites this diverse team is their strong passion for helping and making a difference," said Jones. "These are people who want to participate in something that will truly change America's education system. They have aspirations to make an impact on education forever -not just in the Gulf states but in the entire United States.

By going beyond simply rebuilding schools to transforming the approach to education, the 21S Initiative will reach outside the classroom to help strengthen entire communities. With the expertise of this dedicated group of 21S fellows, school districts around the Gulf region will soon benefit from a connected learning framework, and they will also serve as blueprints for 21st century schools around the world.

Jenny Carless is a freelance writer located in Santa Cruz, CA.