GLSEN Corporate Profile: Cisco

Today, networks are an essential part of business, government, home communications, and most importantly education. Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.

Cisco hardware, software and service offerings are used to create Internet solutions that allow individuals, companies, countries and students to increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction and strengthen competitive advantage. The Cisco name has become synonymous with the Internet, as well as with the productivity improvements that Internet business solutions provide.

Cisco's vision is to change the way people work, live, play and learn. They are also a leader in the area of diversity and inclusion. Cisco ranks 9th on DiversityInc's top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees and scored a perfect 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. Cisco was also honored with a GLSEN Respect Award in Los Angeles in 2006.

"We are thrilled once again to have Cisco on board for the 2010 calendar year as a National Corporate Partner at the Gold Level," says Dane Grams, GLSEN's Director of Development. "Cisco has set an industry standard on how to effectively use both technology and human resources to advance our safe schools work nationwide by serving as our premier partner for GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week."

For the past five years Cisco has been the sole corporate sponsor of No Name-Calling Week (NNCW), which addresses bias-based bullying in elementary schools, and is one of GLSEN's most influential and integral programs. Cisco has created a website dedicated to No Name-Calling Week, nonamecallingvolunteer.com, where potential corporate partners may access information about the program. The website is also a place where employees can show support by giving a donation or by volunteering to raise awareness at locals schools by delivering a lesson plan and by talking to their own children about name-calling and bullying at home. Cisco goes on to create a step-by-step guide on what lesson plans to use for each grade level. This year's NNCW is just around the corner--January 25-29.

According to GLSEN Board Member and Cisco's Vice President of Small Business Solutions and Marketing, Rick Moran, GLSEN and No Name-Calling Week are two of the most important names in their company. "No other organization does more for the LGBT and education communities than GLSEN, and we are proud to continue to support their efforts."