Per Scholas National Capital Region’s Senior Managing Director, Jessica Diaz Council, and Site Director, Monique Singleton, Discuss Per Scholas’s Origins and Growth with Black Enterprise

Per Scholas National Capital Region’s Senior Managing Director, Jessica Diaz Council, and Site Director, Monique Singleton, spoke with Black Enterprise and shared insights into Per Scholas’s impact and growth.

Per Scholas, a leading nonprofit organization, is making significant strides in bridging the gap between underserved communities and high-paying tech careers through its no-cost professional tech training programs. With operations in nearly two dozen cities, including recent expansions to Buffalo, New York, and Kansas City, Missouri, Per Scholas is at the forefront of efforts to diversify the tech workforce.

Founded in the Bronx, New York, Per Scholas began as a tech recycling initiative and has since grown into a nationwide organization committed to providing access to quality education. TPer Scholas’s programs are designed not only to equip learners with essential technical skills but also to offer comprehensive support, including mental health services and financial coaching, ensuring their holistic success.

One of the latest initiatives from Per Scholas is a cybersecurity apprenticeship program, licensed by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, which addresses the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. This program is a part of Per Scholas’s ongoing efforts to align its training with industry needs, ensuring graduates are job-ready.

“Our mission is to provide tuition-free, relevant, and high-quality tech training that truly prepares our learners for success,” said Jessica Diaz Council, Senior Managing Director of Per Scholas National Capital Region. “Through close collaboration with employer partners and a strong support system, we are changing lives and making a lasting impact on the tech industry.”

Per Scholas continues to offer rolling admissions and is actively engaged in fundraising efforts to sustain its tuition-free model, allowing the organization to expand its reach and continue democratizing access to education across the country.

Read the full conversation here.