Per Scholas Named to The New York Times Communities Fund

The New York Times Communities Fund continues the legacy of “The Neediest Cases Fund” by supporting local, national and global nonprofits that provide direct support to under-resourced and over-burdened people

NEW YORK, N.Y., Nov. 14, 2023 — Today, The New York Times Communities Fund announced that Per Scholas will be featured in this year’s annual campaign. Per Scholas joins CAMFED, Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of New York, Children’s Aid, Feeding America, First Book, Hispanic Federation, International Rescue Committee, OneGoal, and UJA-Federation of New York in this recognition.

For 112 years, The New York Times Communities Fund – formerly known as The Neediest Cases Fund – has encouraged readers to help people who are under-resourced and over-burdened and has coordinated a holiday season giving campaign as a direct way to do just that. To date, The Fund has raised over $330 million for nonprofit organizations that have helped countless individuals improve their circumstances and lead more enriching lives.

“The dollars we raise will help us expand economic prosperity because training at Per Scholas uplifts not only individuals but families and communities as well. This value cannot be overstated,” reflected Per Scholas President & CEO Plinio Ayala. “I am grateful for The New York Times Communities Fund amplifying our message and impact. With this fund, more than 5,000 Americans next year will have an opportunity to launch a thriving career in tech they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America. Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech. The exposure and impact that The New York Times Communities Fund provides for Per Scholas’ mission and work can transform our ability to change the face of tech. Lack of access is a barrier to entry in the tech industry, and Per Scholas can empower readers to help break down that barrier and grow opportunities for diverse tech talent. Learn more about Per Scholas’ mission and work at PerScholas.org.

To donate to The New York Times Communities Fund or for more information, click here!

About The New York Times Communities Fund

The New York Times Communities Fund is a 501(c)3 organization and The New York Times Company pays all administrative costs of the program, ensuring that 100 percent of the donations go to the organizations that The Fund supports. The campaign works in close collaboration with nonprofit Focusing Philanthropy to maximize impact.

About Per Scholas 

For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America. Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech. Partnering with dynamic employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we are building sustainable and diverse talent pipelines, together changing the face of tech. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and growing, Per Scholas offers tuition-free training in the most in-demand tech skills, including Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more.

To date, more than 20,000 individuals have gained the skills to launch high-growth tech careers, earning three times their pre-training wage. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is in our DNA: 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, two in five are women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Per Scholas is excited to announce that we received a $1 million grant from JPMorgan Chase to help expand apprenticeship opportunities for learners and scale programs for in-demand occupations.

We are one of four organizations to receive the philanthropic commitment totaling $3.5 million. This commitment will support Per Scholas in developing and piloting a new cybersecurity apprenticeship initiative, which addresses a critical labor shortage while testing a sustainable, innovative, earn-and-learn approach to achieving economic mobility.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous investment, which will increase our impact and create economic mobility for thousands of individuals in communities across the country, including an anticipated $80M generated in first-year wages for new cyber technologists historically underrepresented in the cybersecurity space,” said Per Scholas President & CEO Plinio Ayala. “We are excited to partner with employers across the country to make this program a success and help close the cybersecurity skills gap.”

This support will also help us expand our existing suite of cybersecurity training programs to reach more learners annually, recruiting unemployed and underemployed talent from Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Newark, St. Louis and Greater Washington region.

Read the full press release here.

Per Scholas Seattle Establishes Advisory Board

Leaders from Technology Contribute to Transform America’s

Tech Workforce in the Pacific Northwest.

Per Scholas Seattle today announces the establishment of its inaugural Advisory Board. Leaders from technology will contribute their time and talent to supporting Per Scholas Seattle and its mission to transform America’s technology workforce through rigorous tech skills training.

Inaugural Per Scholas Seattle Advisory Board Members include:

• Ashley Russell, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Amazon
• DeiMarlon Scisney, Founder/CEO, HOP
• Kevin Wang, Founder, Mentors in Tech

“The establishment of our Advisory Board is a pivotal milestone for Per Scholas Seattle. Having the leadership and talent exemplified by this board aligned with our mission gives me a great deal of confidence that we will further our impact in the Puget Sound region as we continue our work of connecting skilled talent to careers in tech,” stated Per Scholas Seattle Managing Director Brian McRae.

Since opening in 2021, more than 200 learners have graduated from Per Scholas Seattle and have gone on to employment in tech roles at a variety of companies across the city – from large financial service institutions to small startups. 

Per Scholas Seattle is grateful for Founder’s Circle partners TEKsystems as well as generous support from Comcast, the Norcliffe Foundation, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  

Currently, Per Scholas Seattle offers a variety of tech training courses including Software Engineering, IT Support, and more. To learn more, please visit www.PerScholas.org/seattle.

Phoenix, AZ (November 1, 2023): Per Scholas, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic mobility for underserved communities through IT training and job placement, welcomes you to an open house event at its new Phoenix campus on Friday, November 3. 

Community members in attendance will learn more about Per Scholas and their transformative work in providing training, certification, and job placement services for individuals looking to break into the technology industry. 

“We are excited to welcome the Phoenix community to our open house and showcase the incredible impact that Per Scholas has in empowering individuals with IT skills and career opportunities,” said Jaclyn Boyes, Regional Senior Vice President. “We are dedicated to providing a pathway to economic mobility for underrepresented communities, and this event is an excellent opportunity for the community to meet our team, understand our programs, and connect with our mission.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with the newest Per Scholas Phoenix team member, Managing Director Jerry J. McPherson, who joined in June 2023.

An economic activist, community leader, and dedicated change agent for unrepresented communities, McPherson brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously served as the Director of Economic Empowerment at the Greater Phoenix Urban League, serving as a CPA in both public and private practice and is a proud veteran of the United States Military. 

“Throughout my career, my primary focus has been on creating economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for others,” shares McPherson. “The technology industry offers a unique platform for career growth and financial stability that many from underserved communities have not benefited from. At Per Scholas, we are unlocking potential and harnessing the power of the evolving tech sector to make transformational change. I am honored to lead this team dedicated to changing the face of tech right here in Arizona.”

McPherson is an accomplished leader with recognitions that include “40 Under 40” by both the Phoenix Business Journal and CPA Practice Advisor. 

Come meet the Per Scholas staff, alumni, and community partners and discover how you can be a part of Phoenix’s vibrant tech ecosystem.

When: Friday, November 3

Time: 1:30 p.m. — 5 p.m. 

Where: Per Scholas Phoenix, 3003 N. Central Ave., Phoenix 85012

The event will feature a networking mixer, door prizes, refreshments and appetizers, and campus tours. Individuals are encouraged to register their attendance. 

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 22 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 20,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

Per Scholas Announces Three Senior Leadership Promotions

Poised to Advance Key Initiatives in Enterprise Solutions, Culture Advancement, & Professional Development for Learners 

BRONX, NY (October 31, 2023): Per Scholas, a national nonprofit committed to advancing economic mobility and unlocking potential through technology career training, today announced the exciting promotions of three invaluable leaders: Caitlyn Brazill to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Montreece Smith to Chief People Officer (CPO), and Noah Mitchell to Deputy Chief Training Officer (DCTO). 

Caitlyn Brazil is promoted to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) after successfully holding the position of Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Per Scholas for more than six years. In her new role, Caitlyn will drive a cohesive revenue strategy with consistent messaging aimed at our key stakeholders: employers, philanthropic partners, and learners. She will also oversee three closely interconnected departments: Marketing and Communications, Enterprise Solutions, and Development. Per Scholas recognizes Caitlyn for spearheading the strategic planning and implementation of the organization’s sustainability and growth model, which had a significant impact across all Per Scholas locations. During her tenure as CDO, Caitlyn was instrumental in  providing the necessary resources to quadruple the organization’s annual impact. 

“It is an honor to be elevated to the role of Chief Revenue Officer at Per Scholas,” said Caitlyn Brazill. “It’s of utmost importance for me to use my new position to connect more enterprises with diverse, often overlooked skills-trained talent. Bridging the tech talent gap is more than just filling roles, it’s about fueling economic growth and ensuring a diverse, inclusive workforce.”

Per Scholas’ new Chief People Officer (CPO), Montreece Smith formerly held the position of Executive Vice President, People for Per Scholas, where she played a crucial role in the People Strategy and its connection to the goals of our rapidly expanding organization. As CPO, Montreece will carry the responsibility of driving organizational results through a high-performing culture characterized by accountability, professional growth, psychological well-being, and wellness for Per Scholas. 

Finally, Per Scholas’ Noah Mitchell will assume a new role as Deputy Chief Training Officer (DCTO) that will be pivotal in driving our primary initiatives as we expand to meet our training targets for 2024. This will involve setting performance standards for sourcing learner candidates, establishing connections with our talent solutions pathway, and supervising the professional development of our learners. Noah previously served as the Regional Senior Vice President for Per Scholas and is the former Managing Director for Per Scholas Columbus.

“The recognition of these three incredible leaders at Per Scholas is a testament to their dedication to being a driver of economic mobility,” said Plinio Ayala, President & CEO, Per Scholas. “Their passion, perseverance and commitment to our mission and culture pave the way for all future leaders and will play a vital role in helping Per Scholas ultimately change the face of tech.”

About Per Scholas 

For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America. Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech. Partnering with dynamic employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we are building sustainable and diverse talent pipelines, together changing the face of tech. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and growing, Per Scholas offers tuition-free training in the most in-demand tech skills, including Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more.

To date, more than 20,000 individuals have gained the skills to launch high-growth tech careers, earning three times their pre-training wage. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is in our DNA: 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, two in five are women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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We’re thrilled to announce Per Scholas has been awarded a grant from Okta as part of their cybersecurity workforce development initiative, which coincides with Cybersecurity Awareness Month! We are one of ten grantees of a $1.6 million award for organizations focused on inclusive pathways into technology. This new philanthropic and educational grant aims to advance inclusive pathways into tech and cyber industries.

Cybersecurity is a growing sector of the tech industry that is critical for many businesses. Click here to learn more about our Cybersecurity courses.

Read Okta’s full press release here.

Per Scholas Honors Trailblazers in Equity with Per Scholas Diverse by Design North Star Award

Honorees recognized at Per Scholas Diverse by Design: A Day of Unlocking Potential

PURCHASE, NY — On October 2, 2023, Per Scholas, a national nonprofit committed to advancing economic mobility and increasing access to tech careers, hosted its Third Annual Per Scholas Diverse by Design North Star Awards Ceremony that recognized partners whose efforts drive significant Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) impact. The ceremony took place at Per Scholas’ annual “A Day of Unlocking Potential” event at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York, that gathered tech enthusiasts, equity advocates, business leaders, Per Scholas alumni, and philanthropists all committed to diversifying America’s technology workforce.

This year’s distinguished honorees of the Per Scholas Diverse by Design North Star Award were Dr. Marian Croak, Vice President of Engineering, Responsible AI & Human Centered Technology at Google, Reshenda Daniels, Global Director of Talent, DEI & Accessibility at Visa, Russell Contreras, Senior Race & Justice reporter at Axios, and Black Theatre United, accepted by Founder Vanessa Williams. Together they build on the legacy of past honorees, such as Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin who received the North Star Award last year for his dedication to diversity for the NFL. 

“These individuals are not just honorees – they are torchbearers for an inclusive future,” said Damien Howard, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer at Per Scholas and Co-Founder of Diverse by Design. “Their relentless dedication is reshaping industries and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.”

Started in 2016 with ITSMF, Per Scholas Diverse by Design aids businesses in crafting a pipeline filled with diverse candidates, ranging from entry to executive levels, all equipped with skills customized to the company’s needs. Since launching 28 years ago, Per Scholas has enrolled more than 20,000 learners across its 20+ campuses to help usher them into thriving careers with their 850+ corporate partners.

“We must strive to create an environment where everyone’s contributions are recognized, and opportunities for career advancement are available,” said Reshenda Daniels, Global Director of Talent, DEI & Accessibility at Visa. “We must ensure that there is a voice for the voiceless in the corporate space.”

This star-studded day of golf and an evening of giving was made possible thanks to our generous supporters: Marquee sponsor TEKsystems; Birdie sponsors Capgemini, Deloitte, and Liquid Technologies; Par sponsors The Anna-Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation, Arch Global, CDW, Cooperative Laundry, Delta, Ikon Business Group, Mitchell Martin, Ponce Bank, and Team Spraggins; and of course, Per Scholas Diverse by Design supporters TEKsystems, Capgemini, CGI, Chubb, Comcast NBCUniversal, Google, and NFL Foundation. 

To learn more about Per Scholas and its mission to advance economic equity through rigorous training for tech careers and to connect skilled talent to leading businesses, visit: https://perscholas.org/. To learn more about Per Scholas Diverse by Design visit www.diversebydesign.org.

About Per Scholas Diverse by Design

Per Scholas Diverse by Design launched in 2016 with Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) to make a meaningful impact and increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in technology. Per Scholas Diverse by Design promotes solutions-driven conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech. We also produce meaningful content that empowers C-suite leaders to make both valuable and socially impactful decisions for their organizations and provide access to sophisticated customized training and talent sourcing solutions to meet companies’ talent demands while transforming the diversity landscape of their organizations.

About Per Scholas 

For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America. Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech. Partnering with dynamic employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we are building sustainable and diverse talent pipelines, together changing the face of tech. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and growing, Per Scholas offers tuition-free training in the most in-demand tech skills, including Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more.

To date, more than 20,000 individuals have gained the skills to launch high-growth tech careers, earning three times their pre-training wage. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is in our DNA: 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, two in five are women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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We’re thrilled to announce that Per Scholas Chicago, led by Senior Managing Director Andi Drileck, has been selected as a finalist for the Chicago Innovation Awards! 

As a Top 100 Finalist, Per Scholas Chicago is also a candidate for the People’s Choice Award! Voting is open until October 17, 2023. The People’s Choice Award winner will be celebrated alongside the other 20 winners at the 22nd annual Chicago Innovation Awards on November 16th at the UIC Forum.

To select Per Scholas Chicago for the People’s Choice Award, click the link below and scroll to the 7th page of nominees. 

Click here to vote for Per Scholas Chicago!

Per Scholas Celebrates $20 Million Investment from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Transformational Investment Propels and Positions Tech Skills Nonprofit for National Future Impact

BRONX, New York (September 28, 2023) – Per Scholas, a national nonprofit committed to advancing economic mobility and unlocking potential through technology career training, today announced a $20 million investment from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Receiving this transformational investment from MacKenzie Scott, one of the most dynamic philanthropists in modern times, is a testament to Per Scholas' impact over our nearly 30 year history. As we've evolved from a computer recycler in the South Bronx to a technical skills trainer in 22 cities and counting across America, we are so grateful for this $20 million gift – the largest, unrestricted funding our organization has ever received. This investment will propel Per Scholas for even greater national impact well into the future, centered on growth and innovation and ensuring our alumni achieve a thriving wage through our Career Accelerator. — Plinio Ayala, President & CEO, Per Scholas

To date, Per Scholas has prepared more than 20,000 individuals across the U.S. for high-growth careers in technology by offering tuition-free, rigorous, 12- to 15-week training in the nation’s most in-demand tech skills. The evidence-based Per Scholas model has been proven in multiple gold-standard research studies, and on average, Per Scholas-trained technologists go on to earn three times their pre-training wage in their first job following graduation. All told, Per Scholas graduates have earned more than $2.4 billion in their post-Per Scholas careers, powering economic advancement in communities across the nation.

Per Scholas connects graduates to high growth careers through our network of 850+ employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, and supports alumni through the organization’s latest innovation, the Career Accelerator, which provides Per Scholas alumni short-term upskilling opportunities, in turn propelling careers. As a result, every dollar invested in Per Scholas results in at least $8 in net economic return.

I'd like to express my most heartfelt gratitude to Per Scholas staff, funders, employer partners, and supporters, who have believed in our mission to advance economic equity and increase opportunity through America's hottest sector - technology. While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life in ways previously unimagined, it presented the opportunity for Per Scholas to innovate a new delivery model, which proved so successful that we were able to scale our impact four-fold. I echo Plinio's gratitude to Ms. Scott - this $20 million investment will certainly position Per Scholas well into our next decade of unlocking potential. — Lewis Miller, Per Scholas Co-Founder and National Board Chair

Today, Per Scholas operates in 20+ U.S. markets including Atlanta, Baltimore, Greater Boston, Chicago, Greater Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Newark, New York, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. This investment will enable Per Scholas to continue to expand its training and talent solutions to additional communities across the United States, with the goal of training 10,000 learners per year by 2026.

About Per Scholas
For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has been advancing equity and increasing opportunity across America. Per Scholas unlocks potential for individuals, communities, and employers through rigorous training for careers in tech. Partnering with dynamic employer partners, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we are building sustainable and diverse talent pipelines, together changing the face of tech. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and growing, Per Scholas offers tuition-free training in the most in-demand tech skills, including Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more.

To date, more than 20,000 individuals have gained the skills to launch high-growth tech careers, earning three times their pre-training wage. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is in our DNA: 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, two in five are women, and more than half have a high school diploma as their highest education credential. Visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Meet Esther, Per Scholas Dallas Graduate & Technologist 

Esther is just one of Per Scholas’ 20,000+ alumni. She’s a proud Per Scholas Dallas IT Support graduate and successful career switcher, living her dream of working in tech. Click below to hear her story and how she’s benefitting from the Career Accelerator – earning more stackable credentials to propel her tech career! 

Salesforce Accelerator selected six nonprofits for their philanthropic initiative to help purpose-driven organizations gain equitable access to trusted generative AI technologies. Per Scholas was selected as one of the nonprofits that The Accelerator will distribute a $2 million pool to in order to advance equitable use of trusted generative AI, participate in a customized program that includes six months of intensive coaching from Salesforce experts and pro bono volunteers, along with 1-on-1 consulting access for 12 months to provide guidance on topics ranging from generative AI, product design, and solution architecture, and gain access to a 24-month contract for donated Salesforce products to support the development of their proposed AI-driven initiatives.

Check out the full press release here.