Cisco provides support and solutions to Minority Serving Institutions through partnerships, infrastructure and training equipment donations, and opportunities for program improvement. The Digital Divide Academy Guide features strategies and best practices of Academies currently operating in digital divide communities. Academies in Minority Serving Institutions are also eligible for the Digital Divide Academy Donations from Cisco ecosystem partners. >> More
Networking Academies in Minority Serving Institutions
Cisco has 17 Academies in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We are working with the United Negro College Fund
to support its members. Cisco has donated $1.6 million in networking equipment to the Fund to provide connectivity to its member colleges. We have also established a scholarship fund for eligible students in their junior and senior years to ensure that they have the financial resources to complete their education. The Fund is currently surveying member colleges and developing a plan for the facilitation of Academy implementation among its members.
In 1998, the Cisco Networking Academy Program partnered with educational institutions on Native American Reservations to support Tribal Colleges and Universities. Cisco has donated necessary Academy networking lab equipment to the eight Tribal Colleges and Universities that have established Networking Academies.
Minority Serving Institutions that are located in Empowerment Zones may be eligible to receive donated networking lab equipment. To see if your organization's address is in an empowerment zone go to the Address Locator at www.hud.gov/ezec/locator or call the toll free number at Community Connections 800-998-9999.