Red River announced that it has aided River Valley community college in establishing their first Cisco (News - Alert) Networking Academy “pod,” by donating $10,000 worth of Cisco equipment.

 

The Cisco Networking Academy is to be formally incorporated in the curriculum shortly. It will facilitate hands on learning and allow for curriculum development .The program hopes to teach students solve real world challenges by using cutting edge technology, helping them prepare for careers as technology engineers.

 

Essentially an integrator of information technology solutions with expertise in the public sector and healthcare marketplace, Red River's River Valley Project is one of many initiatives that comprise Red River's comprehensive approach to the nurturing and unearthing of talent.

 

Red River Technology Foundation was created prior to relocating their corporate headquarters to Claremont to promote technology education and experience among area students.

 

The Technology Foundation helps students to kindle and maintain an interest in technology, and awards high school students with scholarships either in the form of money or equipment for furthering their pursuit of secondary education in technology, and preparing them to compete in the exciting world of technology.

 

“I think it’s imperative that colleges like River Valley provide instruction using the same equipment and technology that students will encounter in the workplace,” said Steven Budd, president of River Valley.

 

Budd further added that this would ensure that students are job ready right from the very start., and said that it would not have been possible for students to remain ahead of the curve in such rapidly changing scenarios, without the generosity of corporate partners like Red River.

 

Acknowledging the gift of equipment, Budd emphasized the fact that Red River had contributed much more in the form of sharing the time and expertise of its employees. Redesigning the curriculum had been possible only because of Red River's presence.

 

Dr. Peter Joyce, Global Lead for Partner Talent Development at Cisco Systems (News - Alert), Inc., said, “In this economy, it is all about jobs. Our industry is growing. However, maintaining the magnitude of this growth will depend on investments in people.”

 

Joyce applauded Red Rivers contribution in the form of business leadership and its investment in future talent, and added that the partnership between Red River and River Valley Community College was an exceptional example for businesses across all industries, and Cisco was proud to be a member of this joint initiative.

Talking about the joint initiative, Rick Bolduc, Red River Owner and CEO, said that the act of moving corporate headquarters was simultaneously linked with a comprehensive approach to talent development that would benefit the community and preparing a workforce for the company.

 

Bolduc believed that the strength of the community was linked to the strength of its members, while pro-active participation on their part augured for a strong and vibrant society. Encouraged by the strong partnership with River Valley, Bolduc said that he looked forward to changing the lives of students, by making a real difference.

 

Red River’s annual charity golf tournament contributes to the funding of their Technology Foundation and has risen to over $65,000 in the past three years. 

Red River provides technical solutions to business problems for the federal government, state and local governments, higher education and the health care marketplace. Using a consultative approach Red River achieves an understanding of our client’s business challenges and takes responsibility as the single point of contact in integrating multi-vendor solutions that provide innovative and practical results.