June 10, 2025 — Per Scholas is proud to announce that our CEO, Plinio Ayala, has been named to City & State New York’s Bronx Power 100 list. This annual recognition honors influential leaders who are driving positive change and growth in the Bronx.

Born and raised in the South Bronx, Plinio has dedicated his career to creating economic opportunities for individuals across the nation. Under his leadership, Per Scholas has expanded its reach nationally, providing no-cost technology training, boasting an impressive 85% graduation rate, with many alumni securing careers in the technology sector within a year of completing the program.

Plinio’s inclusion in the 2024 Bronx Power 100 underscores the impact of Per Scholas’s work and the organization’s role in shaping the future of workforce development. As we continue to grow and empower individuals through technology training, we remain committed to fostering economic mobility.

Congrats, Plinio, on this incredible honor! 

View the recent Bronx Power 100 edition.

As we commemorated Memorial Day, we paused as a nation to honor the fallen, reflect on the courage of our soldiers, and express gratitude for the freedoms they defended. But our responsibility to those who served extends beyond remembrance. As we pay tribute to their sacrifice, we must also invest in their futures.

Each year, nearly 200,000 service members transition from active duty to civilian life — a journey that can be both hopeful and daunting. From translating military experience into a civilian résumé to navigating unfamiliar workplace cultures, veterans face unique and persistent barriers. Only one in four veterans has a job lined up upon separation, and many report financial insecurity as a top concern.

These challenges have been widely discussed — but now, more than ever, they require action. As our workforce evolves rapidly in the face of technological change, we have a unique opportunity to empower veterans through pathways that lead to meaningful, sustainable careers.

Veterans bring unparalleled strengths to the table — discipline, leadership, resilience, and teamwork. What they often need is access to training that helps them translate these qualities into in-demand skills. That’s where programs like Per Scholas come in.

By offering no-cost, GI Bill-approved training in high-growth sectors like IT support and cybersecurity, Per Scholas equips veterans with industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support. Just as critical, the program provides holistic support — from interview preparation to professional communication skills — helping veterans navigate civilian work environments with confidence.

More than 1,000 military members have already graduated from these programs, successfully transitioning into tech careers that offer competitive pay, flexibility, and growth — a perfect fit for many military families.

This Memorial Day, Debbie Roman, Managing Director of Per Scholas New York, joined forces with New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. to co-author a powerful op-ed in The Hill. Together, they called for greater investment in veteran-focused career pathways, stressing how workforce development must evolve to meet the real needs of returning service members.

With a projected global shortage of IT talent by 2026, tapping into the veteran talent pool isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart, strategic move for our economy.

As we reflect on those who gave everything, let’s recommit to those who’ve returned. Let us champion programs that recognize not just the service of our veterans, but their immense potential. By helping them build sustainable civilian careers, we pay tribute in the most meaningful way: with action.

Learn more.

Debbie Roman is the Managing Director of Per Scholas New York. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., a Democrat, represents the 15th District in the New York State Senate.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city has created over 15,000 apprenticeship opportunities in less than three years, surpassing the halfway mark of its goal to create 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030. The initiative focuses on diversity and aims to expand opportunities beyond traditional construction and skilled trades into new industries like healthcare, technology, and public service.

Per Scholas is proud to be a part of this initiative. “Per Scholas is honored to partner with the NYC Talent Apprenticeship Accelerator to help drive this success by equipping New Yorkers across all five boroughs with the skills they need to thrive in tech careers,” Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala said.

Read more.

Per Scholas’ Executive Vice President of DEIB&C and special advisor to the CEO, Ken Walker, has been featured once again in City & State New York! This time, Ken has been named a New York Trailblazer in Building and Real Estate. This honor celebrates leaders in the movement to reshape New York City’s landscape, improving space and affordability within the city.

Ken was recognized for his important work in helping to guide the growth of Per Scholas’s campus real estate portfolio in New York and in dozens of locations across the country. Ken also helped launch Per Scholas’s Diverse by Design initiative to help organizations build diverse and inclusive tech workspaces, open doors of opportunity to diverse tech talent, and drive diversity in the tech industry. Congratulations, Ken!

See the Trailblazers in Building and Real Estate here.

Per Scholas New York recently celebrated a momentous graduation ceremony at Barclays, one of our valued Founder’s Circle supporters. The event recognized the hard work and dedication of 91 technologists, each of whom successfully completed intensive training in highly sought-after fields including Cybersecurity and IT support. These graduates represented various cohorts, including Cybersecurity at Brooklyn/Stanley Issacs satellite, Bronx IT Support, IT Support at Brooklyn/CommonPoint Queens satellite, and IT Support from Brooklyn/JCC Staten Island satellite. The graduation not only celebrated the individual achievements of these technologists but also underscored Per Scholas’ ongoing commitment to creating pathways for diverse talent to enter and thrive in their technological careers.

During the ceremony, Debbie Roman, Managing Director of Per Scholas New York, delivered a wholehearted speech encouraging alumni to view this milestone as the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and growth. In addition to Roman’s inspiring remarking, industry leaders such as Craig Robertson, CEO of the Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) at Barclays and Wale Akinwande, Per Scholas National Board and Senior VP and Chief Auditor at S&P Global, emphasized the importance of persistence and innovation as these new technologists enter into an ever-evolving field. 

Meanwhile, Per Scholas Kansas City marked a historic moment with its inaugural graduation on Friday, August 30, 2024, celebrating 16 graduates from its IT support cohort. Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala attended and addressed the Kansas City technologists, acknowledging their achievement and the bright futures ahead of them in an industry ready for skilled professionals. Ayala’s remarks captured the transformative impact of Per Scholas’ programs, as these graduates prepare to apply their new skills and continue to drive change in their communities. 

These ceremonies serve as reminders of the ongoing commitment Per Scholas holds to empowering individuals from underrepresented backgrounds with meaningful careers in technology. As we continue to expand across the country, the success of these alumni reinforces our mission to build a more inclusive tech workforce and demonstrates the power of opportunity and education to change lives. We are excited to witness the future contributions of these technologists and remain committed to supporting their journeys ahead.