To meet the demand for a skilled labor force in networking technologies, Cisco Systems, a world producer of network equipment, initiated a program in 1997 called the Cisco Networking Academy Program (CNAP). Consisting of four courses, the program's goal is to equip high school and college students with the knowledge and skills to design, build and maintain computer networks.
In addition, upon successful completion of the four courses, a student is prepared for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Exam 640-801.
New River Community College is a two year institution of higher learning operating under a statewide system of community colleges. The college is open on a year-round basis under the semester system
NRCC is located on a one hundred acre site at the intersection of U.S. Routes 11 and 100 in Dublin, VA
Through partnership with Cisco, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is facilitator of the CNAP in the state of Virginia. Currently, the New River Community College (NRCC) serves as a regional academy.
In addition to providing instruction in the four semester courses to the general community college population, it also sponsors and maintains local (high school) academies in its service area.
As of Spring 2004, NRCC sponsors local academies in high schools in the counties of Pulaski, Montgomery, Giles, Floyd, Radford City, as well as another collegiate academy at Wytheville Community College.
