In innovative Cisco wireless network improves connectivity for students, faculty, and staff and provides a reliable platform to support Smart Classrooms, new computer labs, mobile devices, online learning environments, and campus-wide security systems.

1. LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECHNICAL COLLEGE CASE STUDY
CISCO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION SERIES
HIGHLIGHTS
Goal:
■■ Revitalize the LATTC campus, enhance
the educational experiences and
outcomes of students, improve the
school’s image, and contribute to the
ongoing renaissance of downtown Los
Angeles by transforming LATTC into a
leader in technology and sustainability.
Solution:
■■ Introduce an innovative Cisco wireless
network that improves connectivity for
students, faculty, and staff and provides
a reliable platform to support Smart
Classrooms, new computer labs, mobile
devices, online learning environments,
and campus-wide security systems.
Results:
■■ Acclimated students to the latest digital
technologies, making LATTC graduates
more employable
■■ Facilitated a sense of community among
students, helping lead to a 17.5% increase
in enrollment from 2007 to 2009
■■ Repositioned the institution as a nationwide
leader in sustainability and technology
■■ Attracted support from major philanthropic
foundations
MAKING THE GRADE: TRANSFORMING AN INNER CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
INTO A TECHNOLOGY LEADER
Today, a visit to Los Angeles Trade-
Technical College (LATTC) — which has
been educating students in downtown
Los Angeles for 85 years — reveals a
vibrant, connected community of almost
18,000 students, faculty, and staff. The
school’s students — many hailing from
low-income neighborhoods — work on
new PCs and Macs in the campus’ two
modern computer labs, and incorporate
cameras and iPod Touch devices into
their studies. Educators work in Smart
Classrooms that facilitate innovative
teaching techniques and promote
reusable learning materials. Students
and staff are aided by digital signage
and protected by a network-based
video surveillance system that helps
maintain the safety at the LATTC
campus — a 25-acre oasis of higher
education situated in an economically
distressed neighborhood with a high
level of gang activity.
CUSTOMER PROFILE
Customer: Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
Background: The college had neglected its IT infrastructure and lacked
reliable, modern technologies
Region: United States
Industry: Higher Education/Public Sector
Students/Faculty/Staff: 18,000
Business Issue: Overhaul the college’s outdated technology infrastructure
“We see serving the most challenged neighborhoods in
the country as an opportunity to make a much bigger
impact in turning lives around. Our greatest return on
investment in partnering with Cisco is providing better
education and opportunities for our students.”
– Roland “Chip”, LATTC President
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2. LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDY
CISCO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION SERIES
But LATTC didn’t always deserve an “A” in
technology. As recently as 2007, the college —
notable for its programs in fashion, culinary
arts, business, cosmetology, automobile
technology, and welding — was failing to
meet the rising expectations of students,
faculty, staff, and the community. Frustrated
students struggled with outdated computers
in an overcrowded lab, and had to wander
off campus through tough neighborhoods to
access a wireless network. Instructors were
also stuck with old technology and many
were forced to put classroom materials on
servers outside of LATTC’s aging network.
Administrators were discouraged by the
lack of IT investment, especially in a volatile
educational marketplace where competing
schools could draw students away with
innovative technologies. Worse, without a
strong technology focus, the school might
fail to educate its students in the computer
and technical skills they needed to be a
valuable part of the modern workforce. Not
surprisingly, LATTC’s enrollment was lagging
while drop-out rates were creeping up.
Big challenges, yes. But in the span of just
three years, LATTC experienced a complete
turnaround, transforming itself into an insti-
tution at the very forefront of technology in
education. Occurring alongside a campus-
wide sustainability initiative, the transformation
has reinvigorated the campus and contributed
to the renaissance of downtown Los Angeles,
where improvements in transportation and
livability were already underway.
Clearly, the changes are meeting the rising
expectations of LATTC’s students, as
evidenced by a 17.5% boost in enrollment
from 2007 to 2009, and a retention rate of
87% that is the highest in five years. Admini-
strators say technology investments and
innovations have allowed it to forge deeper
relationships with students while also extend-
ing its reach to more students. Moreover,
students are graduating with deeper know-
ledge of new information technologies, making
them better prepared for the workforce.
National charitable foundations have
taken notice, with the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, the Irvine Foundation, and
The Kresge Foundation publicly praising
the college for its achievements. In addition,
LATTC is the nation’s only community
college to be recognized as a National
Center for Green Sustainability and Energy
Conservation. Says LATTC President
Roland Chapdelaine: “We used to be the
bottom of the barrel in the district. Now,
we set the standards in the district using
technology, and the other schools are
looking at us for what they should do.”
INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP
After years of neglecting its IT infrastructure,
in 2008 LATTC vowed to turn things around.
It started by forging a strategic partnership
with Cisco, which was hired by the college
to help formulate a vision for its technological
transformation and find the right solutions
to get there.
“ LATTC is in a very challenging area. The resources
for students to succeed are now all on campus,
and the more time students spend on campus,
the more successful they are.”
– Mary Gallagher, VP of Administrative Services
Figure 1: LATTC’s Vision of Transformation
Introduce new and modern
technologies, such as video,
online learning environments and
mobile devices, to better
connect with students
Create a stronger sense of
community from students on
campus by offering new
computers, wireless access
and digital signage
Acclimate students
towards using technology,
many for the first time in their
lives, to prepare students for
their future careers
Rebrand the image
of the school as a
leading institution in
sustainability, technology
and best practices
Leverage the
network as the platform
for new devices and services
that would enhance the
educational experience
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3. LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECHNICAL COLLEGE CASE STUDY
CISCO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION SERIES
LATTC and Cisco began by building a solid
new foundation for LATTC’s IT infrastructure —
a reliable wireless network that students,
teachers, and staff could access from
anywhere on campus. Enabled by a new
core switch in the college’s data center, the
wireless network powers a multitude of new
devices and educational services. Plus, with
the new wireless infrastructure, instructors
no longer have to load course materials on
outside servers and students never have to
leave campus to use wireless devices.
LATTC averages about 125 connected
wireless devices during school hours, and
the number is growing rapidly. And today,
network reliability is never an issue. “Our
system used to go down every day,” says
Mary Gallagher, LATTC’s vice president of
administrative services. “Overnight, the
network reliability has turned around.”
Gallagher credits the new network — and the
technological innovations made possible by
it — with helping LATTC fulfill its goal of
educating a diverse population of students
in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the
city. “LATTC is located in a very challenging
area.” she says. “But now all of the resources
that students need to succeed are available
on campus. And the more time students
spend on campus, the more successful
they are.”
TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
The new wireless network kicked off a
virtual technology revolution at LATTC.
Students have become actively engaged
in education, and they’re getting steeped
in the next generation of technologies that
is driving the new economy. The wireless
network not only supports mobile devices,
but powers a suite of communications and
collaboration solutions, including video,
online learning environments, Smart
Classrooms, and a fleet of new PCs and
Macs at two computer labs (one lab is
brand new). It also underpins a host of
Cisco technologies like digital signage,
VoIP solutions, and a campus-wide
security system.
Online learning environments and video
have become important tools for instructors
and students at LATTC, which now offers
more than 40 online classes per semester,
in subjects ranging from marketing to art
history to math. Most traditional courses
also feature an online learning component.
Instructors commonly post a portion of the
classroom materials online, and instructors
have begun creating short, reusable videos
demonstrating vocational skills like welding.
Video lectures and Webcasts can be
viewed on-demand at remote locations,
offering time-and-place flexibility for
students who typically hold part time jobs.
Figure 2: Moodle, an Online Course Management and Learning Environment
“We used to be the bottom of the barrel in the district.
Now, we set the standards in the district using
technology, and the other schools are looking
at us for what they should do.”
– Roland “Chip”, LATTC President
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4. LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDY
CISCO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION SERIES
Students are also creating videos with
cameras and iPod Touch devices that
they can check out through LATTC.
Using these devices, students record
assignments and create video demos
of their skills and then store them in
“ePortfolios” or in “Moodle” online course
management accounts. Welding students,
for example, have created video demos that
can be submitted to instructors for grading,
or viewed by potential employers who want
a first-hand look at that student’s skills.
While LATTC did not adopt online learning
and video technology as early as some
schools, the college caught up quickly
and is now positioned for future growth
with these instructional methods. Says
Linda Delzeit, online program director
at LATTC: “Cisco has helped us lay the
infrastructure to move forward with new,
innovative ways of using video and online
learning.” Adds Gallagher: “All of the new
technologies — the computers, video,
and online environments — are direct
contributors to student success. This
will also enable us to capture market
opportunities and contain costs.”
SMARTER CLASSROOMS
In addition to the new video and online
learning solutions, LATTC equipped a
new building with Smart Classrooms
that are wildly popular with students
and faculty alike. Smart Classrooms
emphasize visual media and reusable
learning materials to promote active
participation and collaboration among
students. At LATTC, these classrooms
are outfitted with large screens and
overhead projectors that can be connected
to laptops, enabling dynamic multimedia
presentations and eliminating paper handouts.
Smart Classrooms mean that teachers no
longer have to roll TVs into the classroom.
Meanwhile, IT teams can manage the
classrooms cost-effectively from a central
location, so they can respond to issues
even while classes are in session. When
the rooms are not being used, the IT teams
can save energy by remotely turning off
the electronic equipment.
The Smart Classrooms, along with other
environmental initiatives on campus, are
making the college a leader in sustainability.
In fact, LATTC is the only community
college in the country to be recognized as
a National Center for Green Sustainability
and Energy Conservation. In addition,
LATTC received a grant from The Kresge
Foundation to research green workforce
development and help other schools adopt
environmental best practices.
40,000
38,000
36,000
34,000
32,000
30,000
100%
96%
92%
88%
84%
80%
2007
Enrollment Retention
2008 2009
“When I first came to LATTC, there wasn’t a sense of
community in the campus. It was an old campus and
nothing that stood out. Now, there are new buildings,
new technologies. Students want to come to LATTC and
they have a sense of pride in their school.”
– Lisa Munoz, Associated Students Organization
Figure 3: Enrollment and Retention Rate Increase
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5. LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECHNICAL COLLEGE CASE STUDY
CISCO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION SERIES
Student leaders are excited about LATTC’s
technology and sustainability initiatives.
“We can see meeting agendas on the
projector instead of using paper agendas.
This eliminates waste, and it’s more
cost-effective and easier to read,” says
Lisa Munoz of the Associated Students
Organization. Explains Munoz: “It’s amazing
the amount of innovation that has been
unleashed — and it can come from
anybody and anywhere.”
One of the innovations is a new security
system, which relies on the wireless
network to provide constant video
surveillance of the campus. New network-
based digital signs help administrators
post emergency messages throughout
the campus, while VoIP audio alerts and
text messaging can notify students of
important events.
Student leader Munoz says the initiative
has fostered a new sense of community.
“LATTC used to an old campus and nothing
that stood out,” she says. “Now, there are
new buildings, new technologies. Students
want to come to LATTC and they have a
sense of pride in their school.” Higher
morale among the student population has
translated into positive admissions trends:
Enrollment increased 17.5% from 2007 to
2009 while the retention rate went from
84% in 2007 to 87% in 2009, the highest
in five years.
TURNING LIVES AROUND
Through careful planning and the intelligent,
LATTC has become one of the most
technologically progressive schools in the
country, attracting worldwide attention.
(The attention includes a $25 million Title V
Figure 4: LATTC’s Transformation with Cisco
• Students, faculty, and staff can access LATTC’s wireless network from anywhere on campus
• LATTC averages about 125 connected wireless devices during school hours
• Wireless network on campus provides the platform for mobile devices, online learning environments, and
video for students
• Greater sense of community, helping lead to a 17.5% increase in enrollment from 2007 to 2009 at LATTC
and a retention rate of 87% (2009), the highest in five years
• Students, who may not have access to technology at home, are using these tools regularly for the first
time in their lives
• Access to two computer labs with modern technology along with mobile devices such as iPod Touches
and Flip cameras
Campus-wide wireless network
with new core switch in data center
RESULTS AT LATTCTRANSFORMATION OF LATTC
Access to new technologies and
teaching methods for students
• ePortfolios help differentiate vocational students to recruiters by having an
electronic record of their accomplishments at LATTC
• Video is used to create reusable learning materials, promoting sustainability and
enhancing the learning experience
• Webcasts and video lectures are beginning to be used to aid working professionals
and distant students
Wireless network
provides the platform for
New Services
• Students, faculty, and staff can access LATTC’s wireless
network from anywhere on campus
• LATTC averages about 125 connected wireless devices during
school hours
• Wireless network on campus provides the platform for mobile
devices, online learning environments, and video for students
• Greater sense of community, helping lead to a 17.5% increase
in enrollment from 2007 to 2009 at LATTC and a retention rate
of 87% (2009), the highest in five years
• Students, who may not have access to technology at home, are
using these tools regularly for the first time in their lives
• Access to two computer labs with modern technology along
with mobile devices such as iPod Touches and Flip cameras
Campus-wide wireless
network with new core
switch in data center
RESULTS AT LATTCTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE
Access to new technol-
ogies and teaching
methods for students
• ePortfolios help differentiate vocational students to recruiters by
having an electronic record of their accomplishments at LATTC
• Video is used to create reusable learning materials, promoting
sustainability and enhancing the learning experience
• Webcasts and video lectures are beginning to be used to aid
working professionals and distant students
Wireless network
provides the platform
for new services
“Our system used to go down everyday. Overnight, the
network reliability has turned around, while saving the
school on costs and reducing our carbon footprint.”
– Mary Gallagher, VP of Administrative Services
- 5 -

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Cisco Systems International BV
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grant tied to technology application and
teaching.) Representatives from local,
national, and international governments
have found inspiration in how LATTC
leveraged technology to overcome
significant social and economic barriers.
With so much momentum, it’s easy
to predict that LATTC will continue to
be a leader in educational technology
and sustainability. College leaders say
that decisions about future technology
investments will be based on regular
assessments of the technologies already
introduced, but a clear payback has
already been achieved. Says President
Chapdelaine: “We see serving the most
challenged neighborhoods in the country
as an opportunity to make a much bigger
impact in turning lives around. Our greatest
return on investment in partnering with
Cisco is providing better education and
opportunities for our students.”
“We have laid the infrastructure with Cisco to move
forward with new, innovative ways of using video
and online learning environments.”
– Linda Delzeit, Online Program Director at LATTC
- 6 -