SAN JOSE, Calif., June 1, 2007 - Cisco today announced the winners of its 4R Award Recognition Awards, developed by the Cisco Networking Academy Program to recognize students, instructors and schools that demonstrate excellence in the categories of Rigor, Relevance, Relationships and Results. Now in its 10th year, the Cisco Networking Academy is a global training program that provides students with information technology (IT) and technical networking skills.

Rigor, Relevance, Relationship and Results are the four Rs that lead to the success of the Cisco Networking Academy program and its participants.

• Rigor recognizes Networking Academy programs and instructors who encourage their students to take advantage of their Networking Academy program experience in pursuit of post-secondary degrees including articulation agreements and other educational pathways between secondary and postsecondary schools.
• Relevance demonstrates that Networking Academy programs and instructors help students to apply what they have learned through the Cisco Networking Academy program by participating in career development opportunities such as internship programs and job shadowing events.
• Relationships recognizes participants who have built strategic relationships with businesses and other organizations that extend the reach of the Cisco Networking Academy program and create new opportunities for success.
• Results recognizes students and graduates who have used the knowledge and skills gained through their participation in the Cisco Networking Academy program to increase their opportunities for career, educational, or personal development and success.

"The Cisco Networking Academy students, instructors and institutions that are being recognized in this year's 4R awards embody the core values of Rigor, Relevance, Relationships and Results," said Gene Longo, senior manager of the Cisco Networking Academy Program, United States. "Academic rigor and the ability to apply relevant skills learned through the Networking Academy to the real world are the foundation of student success. The development of strategic relationships outside the program and the ability to demonstrate quantifiable results beyond the classroom are essential for embarking on successful, thriving careers after graduation. The recipients of the 4R awards demonstrate excellence in these areas and have enabled the success of the program, other students and the businesses that hire them."

The 2007 National Winners

Rigor

Academy Programs

• Maconaquah High School - Bunker Hill, Ind.
• North Technical High School - Florissant, Mo.
• Northampton Community College - Bethlehem, Pa.

Instructors

• David Kotfila - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Troy, N.Y.
• Ron Kovac - Ball State University - Muncie, Ind.
• Ben Poston - Midlands Technical College - Columbia, S.C.

Relevance

Academy Programs

• Fort Hays State University - Hays, Kan.
• US Army Signal Center - School of Information Technology - Fort Gordon, Ga.
• Pittsburgh Job Corps - Pittsburgh, Pa.

Instructors

• Casey Walker - Crawford High School - Crawford, Neb.
• Matt Uibel - Cedar Cliff High School - Camp Hill, Pa.
• Scott Stephenson - Burleson ISD - Burleson, Texas

Relationships

Academy Programs

• Cuyahoga Community College (Regional Academy) - Cleveland, Ohio
• Illinois Central College - East Peoria, Ill.
• Gaithersburg High School - Gaithersburg, Md.

Instructors

• Kim Cioni - Illinois Central College - East Peoria, Ill.
• James Martiny - Briggs High School - Columbus, Ohio
• Janis Rose - University of Illinois - Springfield, Ill.

Results

Secondary Institutions

• Houston King - Lake Area Technical Institute - Watertown, S.D.
• Erik Bouchard - Wheeler High School - Valparaiso, Ind.
• Kinzie Doll - Summit Technology Academy - Lee's Summit, Mo.

Postsecondary Institutions

• Gabrielle Cutter - 311th U.S. Army Reserves Unit - Fort Meade, Md.
• Char Hersman - Boxelder Job Corps - Nemo, S.D.
• Derek Murray - University of Illinois - Springfield, Ill.

"The Cisco Networking Academy is instrumental in preparing students for successful IT careers," said professor Kim Cioni of Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill., who received a Recognition Award in the Relationships category. "The Cisco Networking Academy has been an integral part of this institution for nearly 10 years. Many graduates from the first years of the program are now in management positions in the area, and because of our lasting relationships with them, they are now hiring the newest Networking Academy graduates. The Cisco Networking Academy program has been one of the greatest adventures I could have ever asked for. I would never have guessed how much my life would change. To this day I continue to enjoy my students, teaching and the contacts I have made through the program."

The Cisco Networking Academy 4R Recognition Awards program stems from a broader education initiative addressing the connection between academic rigor, relevance, relationships and results. Academic institutions, teachers and the students themselves all play an integral role in leading the positive transformation of education. Nominations were solicited from the Cisco Networking Academy community, including schools, instructors and students. A review committee made up of Cisco Learning Institute staff selected winners in each of the four categories.

For more information about the Cisco Networking Academy Program, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/netacad.