This put up was authored by Alice Sanchez, a Buyer and Associate Expertise software program architect and world co-lead of Cisco’s Native American Community (NAN).
As I stood on the campus of Lac Court docket Oreille Ojibwe College (LCOOU), I used to be crammed with satisfaction to be representing not simply Cisco but additionally the Native/Indigenous neighborhood. I used to be there for the signing of a brand new partnership to help the college and its college students, enabled by Pupil Freedom Initiative (SFI) and Cisco.
Taking part on this occasion was significant to me for 2 causes. First, as a result of illustration issues. I used to be representing my heritage—Pomo, Hawaiian, and Choctaw—in addition to the broader Native/Indigenous neighborhood. Second—and no much less necessary—due to the way in which Cisco’s funding will profit Native/Indigenous college students.
Increasing to Help Tribal Faculties
In 2021, Cisco introduced our partnership with SFI, a nonprofit that helps college students attending minority-serving establishments. As a part of this partnership, Cisco funded a $50 million endowment for juniors and seniors pursuing STEM schooling at Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs). The funding was a part of $150 million dedication to HBCUs via Cisco’s social justice initiative. Our inaugural work with HBCUs created a blueprint that’s now increasing to different minority-serving establishments, and LCOOU is the primary tribal faculty beneficiary.
“Bridging the digital divide for Native/Indigenous communities is paramount for serving to them obtain sovereignty for themselves and future generations.”
Supporting College students Past Monetary Wants
LCOOU now has entry to a mortgage program for juniors and seniors in STEM, however the partnership with LCOOU goes past {dollars}. It additionally contains know-how modernization and entry to the Cisco Networking Academy.
Cybersecurity Compliance
A part of the settlement contains guaranteeing LCOOU can meet necessary cybersecurity requirements.
Cisco accomplice, Procellis, was engaged to conduct an evaluation required by the Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Know-how. Faculties and universities have to be in compliance with greater than 100 safety controls to proceed receiving federal support beneath Title IV. Cisco’s donation of safety services will assist LCOOU obtain and keep cybersecurity compliance.
For minority-serving establishments like LCOOU, defending federal funding via know-how compliance is important.
Cisco Networking Academy
Cisco can also be working with LCOOU to put a Networking Academy on the college. The college will have the ability to embrace Community Academy curriculum in its pc science program. Because of this, college students can graduate with a level in addition to industry-recognized certification.
Supporting Native/Indigenous Communities
I’m pleased with the efforts that Cisco has made not simply to listening to Indigenous voices, but additionally supporting and empowering us. Our work with LCOOU is one instance, however there are such a lot of extra.
For instance, I’m co-lead of our Native American Community (NAN), considered one of our worker useful resource organizations. Cisco is the primary firm I’ve labored at that has a Native American community. We’re a small group—Native People make up lower than 1% of Cisco’s worker base. NAN offers us a car to have fun our tradition and make a contribution to the Native/Indigenous neighborhood. We’re additionally in a position to construct bridges between our firm and Native communities, a lot of which don’t belief large corporations, and may profit from know-how.
I’m pleased with Cisco’s objective to energy an inclusive future for all and dedication to making sure minority-serving establishments like LCOOU have entry to know-how, providers and infrastructure. Bridging the digital divide for Native/Indigenous communities is paramount for serving to them obtain sovereignty for themselves and future generations.
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