Media release from Georgia Northwestern Technical College:
The Cisco Networking Academy has honored Dr. Dwight Watt, instructor of Computer Information Systems Technology at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC), for instructional excellence.
The Cisco Networking Academy has impacted more than 20 million learners in 190 countries since 1997.
“Your exceptional teaching and contributions to the Cisco Networking Academy have earned you the prestigious 2024 Instructor Excellence Advanced Level Award,” the Cisco Networking Academy told Watt. “This accolade celebrates your global standing as a top instructor, distinguished by outstanding student feedback and performance.”
The award acknowledges Watt’s advanced level as an instructor and overall contributions to the Cisco Networking Academy.
“Dwight is incredibly deserving of this recognition,” said Rocky Spurlock, program director and instructor of Computer Information Systems Technology (CIST) at GNTC. “His contributions to CIST and GNTC are invaluable, and his dedication to his students and the field is truly inspiring.”
Watt serves as the primary contact at GNTC for the Cisco Networking Academy and is a Cisco-certified Networking Academy instructor.
“As a Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco provides the student materials for the Cisco classes I teach to the students for free, so they do not need to purchase books for those classes,” Watt said, adding what a great benefit the program is for the students.
Watt teaches a variety of courses using Cisco materials, primarily Introduction to Networks – Cisco; Cisco Switching, Routing and Wireless Essentials; Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation; and Implementing Operating Systems Security. He is an approved instructor for other Cisco courses.
“Cisco also provides online and in-person training opportunities for me each year,” Watt explained. “I hold the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certification in networking and cybersecurity.”
The Instructor Excellence Advanced Level Award is based on global rankings of outcomes related to learner performance and course feedback. An instructor must have taught at least 20 Networking Academy students during the calendar year in any curricula with a minimum 50 percent completion rate on final exams and course feedback to be eligible.
“This award means a lot to me because it is from Cisco, which is a leading provider of equipment to connect networks together, and is based on good reviews of me by my students,” Watt said.
The Cisco Networking Academy program also presented Watt with the Instructor 25 Years of Service Award, saying “Your dedication and passion have made a meaningful impact on your students and community.”
The award recognizes his active participation and service in the Cisco Networking Academy. GNTC also received the 25 Years of Service Award for its active participation and service in the Cisco Networking Academy.
At the recent Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Instructional Faculty Consortium Committees (IFCC) Cyber and Related Committee meeting, Watt was selected to chair the group, and Spurlock was chosen as vice chair of the Web Development section. Both serve on the IFCC’s Executive Committee.
The Cyber and Related Committee covers the areas of cybersecurity, networking, database, gaming, computer support, cloud, programming and web design and focuses heavily on curriculum updates and professional development, Watt said.
Watt said he has previously chaired the committee multiple times over the years since 1990 when the computer-related areas first met and organized, and he served as initial chair for the IFCC group.
Watt holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Business Administration from Winthrop University in South Carolina and a doctoral degree in Education Leadership from the University of Georgia.