19 Java Developers Graduate from Inaugural Per Scholas Phoenix Cohort

Jaclyn Boyes Joins Per Scholas as Managing Director, Driving Equity in Tech For Nonprofit’s 1^st Southwest Campus

Phoenix, Ariz. (August 30, 2021) – Earlier today, 19 learners successfully graduated from Per Scholas’s inaugural Full Stack Java Developer course in Phoenix, powered by TEKsystems, a full-stack technology and talent services provider. For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has advanced economic equity through technology, and this course marks the national nonprofit’s third graduation in its three-city expansion in 2021, preceded by Pittsburgh and Seattle.

Franklin Reed, Executive Director of Inclusion and Diversity at TEKsystems, delivered remarks during the virtual celebration, noting the cohort’s resilience and readiness for their upcoming IT careers. “Our TEKsystems team is more committed than ever to take your newly developed skills and parlay them into a life-changing and long-term career,” Reed said. Referencing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote, Reed closed with, “’Faith is taking the first step even when you cannot see the whole staircase.’ Don’t let today represent the top of the staircase—let it represent another step. We wish you every success as you enter the workforce and look forward to remaining connected with you on your journey.”

Graduates have mastered specific technical skills employers seek in entry and mid-level Java Developers, advanced their coding skills, and gained experience with Java, data structures, web services, algorithms, and more. Aligned with Per Scholas’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, half of the inaugural cohort identify as people of color and one-fifth as women.

Jaclyn Boyes has joined Per Scholas Phoenix as Managing Director, leading the strategic and programmatic direction of the local campus. Passionate about connecting people to purpose, Jaclyn’s career intersects nonprofit, business, and education. Prior to joining Per Scholas, Jaclyn served as Senior Career Specialist for Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.

“The inaugural class reached their graduation goal by displaying adaptability, perseverance, and teamwork, and leave with key tech skills employers are seeking. We are thrilled for each learner’s success and excited to see our Per Scholas Phoenix graduates launch an in-demand career in technology,” said Jaclyn Boyes, Per Scholas Phoenix Managing Director. “Thank you to TEKsystems for partnering with us to build a diverse pipeline of highly skilled tech talent here in Arizona.”

A hiring partner since 2015, TEKsystems has hired hundreds of Per Scholas graduates to date. In collaboration with Per Scholas, TEKsystems will train hundreds more for high-demand roles over the next two years.

For more information, and to learn about upcoming Per Scholas courses offered in Phoenix, please visit PerScholas.org/Phoenix.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 14,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

About TEKsystems

We’re partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That’s the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.