DETROIT, MI — A recent feature by Outlier Media and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has highlighted the transformative impact of Per Scholas Detroit, showcasing how the national nonprofit is creating a new pipeline of tech talent in the heart of the Motor City.

Operating out of the historic Fisher Building since 2018, Per Scholas Detroit provides no-cost, high-growth IT training, certifications, and career coaching to residents across Southeast Michigan. The program is specifically designed to bridge the opportunity gap for individuals who have the drive but lack the credentials required by today’s top employers.

Key Highlights from the Feature:

Proven Results: In a recent cohort, 75% of learners secured high-quality IT roles prior to graduation, proving the immediate demand for Per Scholas-trained technologists.

Thriving Wages: Per Scholas targets placements with starting wages of $24 per hour or higher, often including full medical benefits and paid time off, a critical step in building generational wealth.

A “Full-Circle” Success Story: The article spotlights Tracy Maricle, an alumna who used the program to validate her tech experience with industry certifications. Today, Tracy has returned to the campus as an Instructional Assistant, helping a new generation of Detroiters launch their own careers.

Future-Proofing for AI: Always evolving with industry standards, Per Scholas Detroit announced that, beginning in 2026, all courses will expand to include a specialized AI training component to meet the growing needs of employer partners such as General Motors, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Corewell Health.

“We are extremely appreciative of the funding we receive from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation because this is creating a legacy in the city of Detroit,” said Laura Chavez, Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit. “The impact is not just on an individual; it’s on the family of the individual.”

Since its inception, Per Scholas Detroit has remained committed to serving a diverse learner base, including veterans, retirees, and parents re-entering the workforce. By removing financial barriers to elite tech education, the organization is ensuring that Detroit’s tech economy is as inclusive as it is innovative.

Read the full feature story here.

Detroit, MI — Detroit’s tech and energy landscape is accelerating fast, and a new episode of DisruptED spotlights the people and partnerships fueling that momentum. Recorded live at the Power Up Detroit conference, the episode brings together voices at the forefront of the city’s workforce transformation.

Hosted by Ron J. Stefanski, the conversation features Kenneth Leroy W., Executive Vice President at Per Scholas, and Laura Chavez, Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit. Together, they discuss how the organization is working closely with employers, community leaders, and grassroots innovators to equip Detroiters with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving economy.

The episode highlights several key drivers shaping Detroit’s next chapter:

• A booming tech and energy sector: Detroit is emerging as a national leader in mobility, clean energy, and advanced technology, creating new opportunities for both residents and employers.

• Community-powered innovation: Movements like Black Tech Saturdays are helping to diversify the tech landscape and build pathways for underrepresented talent.

• Industry-aligned training: Per Scholas continues to expand access to in-demand tech careers, offering flexible, employer-informed programs designed to meet Detroit’s growing workforce needs.
  

As Detroit continues its resurgence, organizations like Per Scholas play a critical role in ensuring local talent is prepared to thrive in the city’s modern economy.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/eJiq3ne8

Per Scholas is proud to announce the appointment of Karla Benson Rutten as Regional Senior Vice President, Midwest, along with Laura Chavez as Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit and Sharise Erby as Managing Director of Per Scholas Phoenix. These accomplished leaders bring decades of experience in nonprofit management, workforce development, and community engagement, advancing Per Scholas’s mission to expand access to no-cost tech training and career pathways.

Karla Benson Rutten – Regional Senior Vice President, Midwest
Karla Benson Rutten leads Per Scholas’ Midwest region, overseeing strategy and operations across seven campuses in Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. She guides cross-functional teams that deliver no-cost technology training, professional development, and job attainment support, connecting Per Scholas Technologists with high-growth tech careers.

Prior to joining Per Scholas, Karla held leadership roles across nonprofit organizations and higher education, including Executive Director of the Jeremiah Program in St. Paul, Vice President of Community Engagement at Girl Scouts River Valleys, and 15 years at Macalester College directing the Lealtad-Suzuki Center. She is the founder of Benson Rutten Innovations, a consulting firm focused on leadership development and DEI strategy. Karla holds a Master’s in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Iowa State University. Her work is driven by a passion for equity, personal growth, and helping individuals create lasting impact in their communities.

Laura Chavez (She/Her) – Managing Director, Detroit
Laura Chavez serves as the Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit, where she oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of the campus. She leads local partnerships, program implementation, and learner support, ensuring access to tech career pathways across the region.

With more than ten years in nonprofit leadership, Laura has developed programs and partnerships that meet the needs of historically underrepresented communities. Raised in Southwest Detroit, she brings a deep understanding of her community and remains actively engaged in mentoring emerging leaders and advocating for equitable economic opportunities. Laura holds a degree in Public Policy, and her leadership reflects a commitment to dignity, inclusion, and meaningful impact.

Sharise Erby (She/Her) – Managing Director, Phoenix
Sharise Erby leads Per Scholas Phoenix, overseeing campus strategy, operations, and engagement with learners, staff, and community and employer partners. Her work focuses on closing the opportunity gap and creating pathways to high-growth tech careers.

Sharise brings over 30 years of experience spanning healthcare, workforce development, and nonprofit leadership. She spent two decades in healthcare operations serving underserved communities and has spent the last 15 years leading initiatives in economic empowerment, financial literacy, and small business growth. Sharise is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and holds a Master’s in Health Administration. Recognized with awards such as the City of Phoenix MLK “Living the Dream” Award and the Titan 100 Top CEO distinction, she also serves as a Commissioner on the Phoenix Women’s Commission. A best-selling author and global speaker, Sharise inspires others to lead with purpose and embrace transformation as a tool for growth.

Looking Ahead
Karla, Laura, and Sharise join Per Scholas at an exciting time as we continue to expand our impact and create equitable pathways into the technology sector. Their leadership, expertise, and dedication will be invaluable as we help learners build the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive in tech careers. 

Detroit, M.I., August 18, 2025  – Since launching in 2019, the Per Scholas Detroit campus has trained more than 450 learners, equipping them with critical tech skills such as Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and IT Support. Our alumni have earned jobs at employers including IC Data Communications, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Stefanini Group, TEKsystems, and Zentro Internet. 

“Detroit’s tech future is being built right now, and it’s being built by the skilled talent from our own communities,” says Laura Chavez, Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit. “Power Up: Detroit is more than a convening; it’s a movement uniting industry leaders who believe in investing in local brilliance to power our energy and innovation economy.”

Today, top leaders in the energy, utilities, and technology sectors explored the powerful intersection of innovation and workforce development among industry peers at Power Up: Detroit, hosted at Newlab within Michigan Central. Brittany Murrey, Executive Vice President of Talent Solutions and Per Scholas; Kenneth Walker, Executive Vice President of Inclusion & Culture, Per Scholas were in attendance. 

The morning began with an Executive Breakfast, open to Director+ leaders. A Fireside Chat featuring Carla Walker-Miller, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Walker-Miller Energy Solutions, and Paul Douglas, President of The JPI Group, followed. The event concluded with an Industry Expert Panel moderated by Ron Stefanski, Host of DisruptEd. Panelists included Clarinda Barnett Harrison, Director of Talent Development and Programming, Michigan Central; Susan Biszewski-Eber, Senior Manager of Apprenticeship Programs, Interstate Renewable Energy Council; Paul Douglas, President at The JPI Group; and Laura Chavez, Managing Director at Per Scholas Detroit.

Per Scholas Detroit hosted Power Up: Detroit in collaboration with the Urban Institute, IREC, and CareerEquity. This grant-funded partnership delivers worker-centered training tailored to the energy sector’s IT needs.

Contact: Rafael Gerena, Vice President of Communications & Policy, Per Scholas

rgerena@perscholas.org 

About Per Scholas                           

As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward, expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, we’ve offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills, generating over $2 billion in increased personal earnings. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 20+ campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of our learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.

Learn more at PerScholas.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

This event is part of the Power Up Series that was created by Per Scholas and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DOL makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. The total cost of the Power IT project is $5,815,899. $5,000,000 (86 percent) is funded through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration. The other $815,899 (14 percent) is funded through nonfederal resources.

Per Scholas Detroit Alumni Terrell Hemphill discussed his training at Per Scholas during a presentation with CAEL -(Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) on Learnings from the Field: Worker-Centered Benchmarking Project. CAEL partners with entities across the adult learner ecosystem to help create actionable career pathways along the journey of lifelong learning and meaningful work.

Terrell interned with one of Per Scholas’ funders, Corporation Skilled for Workforce, and his experience and work as an advocate for workforce solutions has been highlighted with CAEL, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Aspen Institute.

Read more about his presentation here.

Watch the full presentation here.