College is Cisco Academy regional site
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College has long been a leader
in cutting-edge technology, and during the autumn of 2000 the
institution began an information technology program to usher students
into the 21st Century know how.
Over the past 5 years, the program has flourished under the
direction of faculty member and program coordinator Michael Epling,
expanding to offer two entry points for students. Those enrolling in
the program can choose to study either the Cisco or Microsoft training
which leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree.
In addition, SKCTC offers a number of certificates in
information technology such as A+, Microsoft Certified Systems
Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE),
Networking Associate and Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA).
According to Epling, on some occasions, and determined by
student demand, the college offers Cisco Certified Networking
Professional (CCNP) courses. He also maintains the status of being the
Cisco Regional Academy coordinator, and earlier this year, Southeast
was named as the site for the academy.
?Students who enroll in the Cisco program offered by Southeast
are taught skills that are important in taking businesses, schools,
institutions of higher learning and home networks and linking, and, in
turn, connecting them to the greater network?the Internet,? said
Epling.
The college and Epling stepped in to fill a void when the
regional academy became non-operational due to the resignation of its
administrator. Epling assumed the leadership role and promptly went
about the task of getting Southeast designated as the Regional Cisco
Academy. That regional status was transferred to SKCTC earlier this
year.
He now heads the Regional Cisco Academy and is responsible for
training and servicing the needs of numerous local academies throughout
Southeast Kentucky. Epling was judged to have the credentials to
become the coordinator; he seized the opportunity by receiving
instructor level training for the Cisco Certified Networking
Professional Program (CCNP).
A ?rare opportunity? developed, and he went to Louisville for
extensive training where he obtained the necessary training to be named
the regional Cisco Academy Coordinator. Working with state IT
committee members, Epling received instruction at Jefferson Community &
Technical College, attending classes for a total of 8 weeks. In the
fall of 2004 Epling became certified; he is the only person in
Southeast Kentucky to hold CCNP teaching credentials.
?The college is the driving force behind all the various
academies within our section of the state,? noted SKCTC President Dr.
W. Bruce Ayers. ?We are happy to have achieved this status and commend
the hard work done by Mr. Epling and other faculty.?
Epling provides training at the regional center for all the
instructors affiliated with the various local academies and he is also
available to assist them with problems dealing with equipment and
repairs. Instructors at any of the local academies can now come to
Southeast for refresher training. According to Epling, the services
provided focus on training for personnel from the local academies of
which SKCTC oversees, chiefly, high school faculty who teach Cisco
related courses.
Epling has been on the faculty of SKCTC since 1999. He is a
native of Pike County and is a graduate of Virgie High School. He
holds 2 degrees in business administration from Morehead State
University.
Moreover, he has numerous industry certification, including
Novel (CNA), CNE, Microsoft MCP+I, MCSE, Cisco CCNA, CCAI and A+.
To receive details about enrolling in the information technology
program at Southeast or to get news of the Cisco Regional Academy and
services it provides, contact Mr. Epling at 606-589-3046.
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