Per Scholas marked a historic milestone by celebrating our 30th anniversary with the prestigious honor of ringing the Nasdaq Closing Bell on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Per Scholas Chief Revenue Officer Caitlyn Brazill took the stage at Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to commemorate this occasion, highlighting three decades of impact, transforming lives through no-cost tech training and advancing economic mobility across the nation. More than 50 members of the Per Scholas community were in attendance and onstage, including leadership, learners, and supporters, all gathered to commemorate our remarkable journey and continued commitment to launching thriving careers in the tech industry.

Ringing the closing bell at Nasdaq symbolizes Per Scholas’ enduring influence and recognition as a leader in workforce development. Over the past 30 years, we have empowered more than 30,000 learners with the skills and certifications needed to thrive in technology careers. As Per Scholas looks ahead to the future, this milestone reaffirms our dedication to innovation, inclusion, and expanding access to transformative career pathways.

“I am honored to ring the NASDAQ bell, representing the spirit of American innovation and the limitless potential of the American Dream,” Caitlyn said, surrounded by Per Scholas leaders, learners, and supporters, all united in their mission to drive economic mobility through tech.

Pam Kingpetcharat has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Finance for 2025 by Women We Admire. As the Chief Financial Officer of Per Scholas, Pam has played a pivotal role in the organization’s financial strategy and growth. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding Per Scholas’ reach, enabling more individuals access to high-quality tech education and career opportunities. Per Scholas proudly celebrates Kingpetcharat’s achievements and her commitment to advancing careers in the tech industry.

Read the full feature here.

We are thrilled to announce that Per Scholas North Carolina has received a $1 million, two-year grant from The BlackRock Foundation to support workforce development and economic recovery efforts across the state. This transformative funding will help us expand our programs into western North Carolina, bridging the state’s tech workforce gap and providing job training in rural communities.

Through our partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, we will offer bootcamp-style IT training designed to equip individuals with the skills needed for remote, high-paying tech jobs. With North Carolina’s tech industry experiencing significant growth—an 18% increase in job postings over the past year—this initiative is critical in ensuring that rural communities have access to these emerging opportunities.

This support comes at a crucial time as Western North Carolina continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which displaced thousands and led to widespread job loss. By offering accessible, no-cost training, we are helping residents transition into sustainable tech careers, fostering long-term economic stability in the region.

Over the next two years, this grant will allow us to provide 13-week IT training to 530 students, with a goal of reaching 2,000 North Carolinians by 2029. Our first IT Support cohort will begin on February 24, and applications are now open on our website.

Since launching in North Carolina in 2020, Per Scholas has remained committed to creating economic mobility through technology training. With the continued support of partners like The BlackRock Foundation, we are strengthening our impact and helping to shape the future of North Carolina’s workforce.

Per Scholas Appoints New Chief Operating Officer to

Accelerate Mission-Driven Initiatives

BRONX, N.Y. (January, 31, 2025) — National nonprofit Per Scholas has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer to their National Leadership Team. Tamara Johnson, previously Per Scholas Chief of Staff, continues her career with the nonprofit in this new role with a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and operational management, ready to further the organization’s mission of building a more equitable workforce.

In this role, Tamara is responsible for the successful execution of our strategic plan, working in close partnership and collaboration with Per Scholas’ multiple funding and employer partners.

Tamara has built a career in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Before Per Scholas, Tamara spent the past 15 years in the workforce development field, including nearly 12 years as a senior leader at leading nonprofits such as Year Up and Genesys Works. Before Year Up, she built collaborative client relationships in relationship management and business development roles in for-profit organizations.

“I am honored to move into this role at Per Scholas as Chief Operating Officer,” said Tamara Johnson. “This organization is at the forefront of creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to thrive in the tech workforce. I look forward to working with the incredible team at Per Scholas to expand our reach and deepen our impact across the nation.”

Per Scholas has a longstanding reputation for delivering industry-recognized training and connecting talented individuals to high-growth careers. Appointing Tamara Johnson as Chief Operating Officer underscores Per Scholas’ dedication to scaling its efforts and ensuring that technology career opportunities are accessible to all.

“Tamara’s extensive experience and passion for workforce equity make her an ideal leader for this critical role,” said Per Scholas President and CEO Plinio Ayala. “As we continue to scale our programs and serve even more learners, her vision and expertise will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and advancing our mission.”

For more information about Per Scholas and its programs, please visit www.perscholas.org.

About Per Scholas: 

Per Scholas is proud to celebrate 30 years of fostering economic mobility by giving individuals from diverse backgrounds access to high-growth tech careers. 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. By 2030, we aim to train and upskill 25,000 technologists annually—building on three decades of impact. 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. 85%+ of our learners are people of color, 40% are women, and more than half hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone, driving transformative economic change.

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

###

Per Scholas Buffalo Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Cohort

Ushering in the next generation of skilled tech talent, Per Scholas is driving Economic Mobility in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 24, 2025 — After opening its doors to the city of Buffalo, NY, in August 2024, Per Scholas, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic mobility through rigorous and no-cost technology training, today proudly celebrates the graduation of its first Buffalo-based cohort of aspiring tech professionals.

Per Scholas Buffalo’s inaugural class completed 13 weeks of intensive training in IT Support, earning the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the CompTIA A+ certification. These industry-recognized credentials equip graduates with in-demand skills to secure high-paying, sustainable careers in Buffalo’s rapidly growing technology sector.

“The hard work and determination of this graduating class is a testament to the caliber of untapped talent skills-trained professionals have to offer,” Jeremy Besch, Per Scholas Buffalo Managing Director said. “Buffalo is a burgeoning tech hub and is in need of these candidates.”

In addition to Per Scholas President & CEO Plinio Ayala, the graduating class is honored by esteemed ceremony speakers including Bonnie Kane Lockwood who is representing the Office of Kathy C. Hochul the 57th Governor of the State of New York, Empire State Development and New York Power Authority; Morgan Foss, Buffalo Bills Foundation Program Manager at the NFL Buffalo Bills Foundation; and Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly.

Thanks to generous support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Empire State Development, New York Power Authority, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Fund, Amazon, Citizens, Larkin Development, and National Football League—via an Inspire Change grant, Per Scholas has established its third New York campus and expanded its national footprint of more than 20+ campuses. With a proven model that includes in-person and remote learning hubs, Per Scholas continues to unlock opportunities for individuals, strengthen communities, and drive business success across the state. Notably, every dollar invested in Per Scholas yields an $8 net economic return.

Per Scholas Buffalo learners also benefit from financial support options, such as the Zero Percent Loan, designed to ease personal expenses during training. This innovative program charges no interest, late fees, or origination fees. Repayment begins only after graduation and once learners secure a job earning a minimum of $40,000 annually.

By equipping graduates with in-demand tech skills, Per Scholas Buffalo is transforming lives and helping to shape Buffalo’s future as a thriving technology hub. To learn more about Per Scholas Buffalo, follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook, or visit their page.

# # # 

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas is proud to celebrate 30 years of fostering economic mobility by giving individuals from diverse backgrounds access to high-growth tech careers. 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. By 2030, we aim to train and upskill 25,000 technologists annually—building on three decades of impact. 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. 85%+ of our learners are people of color, 40% are women, and more than half hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone, driving transformative economic change.

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

Per Scholas is thrilled to have been featured in the New York Times, celebrating our success in preparing underemployed and underrepresented individuals for cutting-edge tech careers.

For nearly three decades, Per Scholas has offered free, comprehensive training programs that have transformed lives and careers across the nation. From its humble beginnings in the South Bronx in 1995, Per Scholas has expanded to 24 cities and trained over 25,000 people, with 85% being people of color and 40% women. Our organization also works closely with tech employers to ensure that graduates possess in-demand skills upon graduation, and offers professional development training and job attainment support for learners. A rigorous analysis from MDRC  found that, by 2020, the economic benefits of the training – including increased wages and reduced dependence on social services – totaled an estimated 800% of the training costs.

Per Scholas’s commitment to providing free, high-quality training is made possible through donor support, with contributions directly funding various aspects of the program, from textbooks to comprehensive learning support. The New York Times Communities Fund has supported Per Scholas since 2023, helping to maintain our policy of never charging learners for any aspect of their training.

Read the full article here.

Indianapolis, December 3, 2024 – Per Scholas Indianapolis received a $75,000 grant from Glick Philanthropies to support economic mobility opportunities in the tech workforce. Glick Philanthropies – a family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers everyone to reach their full potential – recently announced more than $1.86 million in grants to 40 nonprofit organizations.

With this grant, Per Scholas Indianapolis will continue to support the community’s needs by providing tuition-free tech training to individuals traditionally underrepresented in tech, helping them launch high-growth careers, and partnering with employers to build sustainable and diverse talent pipelines.

Theron Wilson, Managing Director of Per Scholas Indianapolis stated, “We are so honored and grateful for this generous gift to help further our mission in the local and surrounding communities of Indianapolis. This grant will help power economic development by building a more diverse, skilled, and thriving technological workforce.”

Glick Philanthropies awards grants to tax-exempt organizations serving central Indiana and communities where Glick Company-managed properties are located. Grants support efforts to:

Build Community

• Provide affordable housing
• Support a healthy democracy
• Strengthen Jewish cultural life

Create Opportunity

• Expand equitable opportunities in the arts
• Close education achievement gaps
• Improve access to basic needs
• Increase economic mobility

“Nonprofit organizations are uniquely positioned to understand community members’ needs, partner with them to provide support, and connect them to essential resources,” said Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation. “At Glick Philanthropies, our role is to walk alongside these nonprofit organizations to build community and create opportunity. We hope these grants empower our nonprofit partners to reach more people with thoughtful, innovative programs.”

For more information about Per Scholas Indianapolis’s work, please visit https://perscholas.org/locations/indianapolis/. For more information about Glick Philanthropies, visit glickphilanthropies.org.

About Per Scholas

Per Scholas Indianapolis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prepares learners to enter the technology workforce through intensive training in both Technical Skills and Professional Development. In addition to skills training, Per Scholas provides individuals often excluded from tech careers access to employer networks. Per Scholas envisions a technology workforce as diverse as the customers it serves.

About Glick Philanthropies 

Glick Philanthropies is an Indianapolis-based family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers every person to reach their full potential. Glick Philanthropies includes Glick Family Foundation, Glick Housing Foundation, the Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and the Glick Fund at Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). Since 1982, we have awarded $320 million to charitable causes in

Jenn Fowler Howard, Senior Managing Director of Per Scholas Columbus, was recently recognized for her leadership and commitment to workforce development and equitable access to education. She was featured in Women We Admire’s article “The Top 50 Women Leaders of Columbus for 2024” for her impactful role in overseeing strategic partnerships and program execution to advance Per Scholas’ mission of providing technology training to underrepresented communities.

Howard’s work extends beyond Per Scholas, as she also serves as the founder and executive director of Project C.L.O.U.D.S, a nonprofit focused on leadership development and career preparation for youth. Her recent TEDx appearance highlights her passion for empowering young people and amplifying the influence of positive role models in their lives. This feature highlights Howard’s impact on the community and her dedication to uplifting others through education, leadership, and advocacy. Her leadership in Per Scholas Columbus plays a crucial role in bridging the gap for individuals seeking career advancement in the tech industry, and her personal endeavors further showcase her drive to inspire and support youth in reaching their full potential.

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.

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th to October 15th, recognizes and celebrates the many contributions of Hispanic and Latinx people. From celebrating traditional foods and vibrant art to recognizing influential figures, this month highlights the rich culture and significance of Hispanic communities.

As the Hispanic and Latinx populations continue to grow in the United States, their influence in the tech industry is essential for driving diversity and creating inclusive environments. However, they face significant challenges as minorities remain underrepresented in the tech field. It’s fitting that this year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Pioneers of Change. Pioneers of Change celebrates those breaking barriers today and paving the way for future generations to create greater inclusion and representation in the tech field.

At Per Scholas, our mission is to provide accessible tech education that empowers Hispanic and Latinx communities to overcome underrepresentation. We ensure learners gain the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their careers and thrive in the industry.

Looking Forward: The Future of Hispanic Heritage in Tech

Currently, the majority of Latinx K-12 learners are in states with the highest demand for technology jobs. At Per Scholas, there are opportunities for further education designed to prepare students for success in the tech industry after high school graduation, allowing them to thrive in the growing field around them. The increasing influence of Hispanics in tech will continue to increase diversity and drive innovation.   

Diversity, particularly in tech leadership roles, is vital because it can improve innovation and creativity, leading to increased revenue. By uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds, ideas, and experiences, we can foster creativity and promote a richer diversity in the tech industry. Diversity enhances the success of Latinx learners and empowers the tech industry to adapt and excel in a competitive field

Hispanic culture contributes to this diversity. It is deeply rooted in community and family, fostering future Latinx tech employees with strong teamwork skills and a foundational work ethic. These values can have a positive influence on the tech industry by providing the collaborative work environment necessary to drive creativity and innovation. 

Hispanic professionals have already made significant contributions in tech. They’re becoming more prominent in large corporations such as Google and Microsoft and are a driving force behind many small businesses and tech startups. 

Per Scholas is leading the way in supporting Hispanic learners. We’re on the cutting edge of supporting and amplifying Hispanic voices by providing exceptional training opportunities. We’ve also formed strong relationships with various partners and supporters. Per Scholas will continue supporting Hispanic learners through expanded programs, partnerships, and outreach into the community.

Breaking Barriers: How Per Scholas Supports Hispanic Students in Tech  

Hispanic and Latinx learners face many challenges entering and thriving in the tech industry, including limited access to tech-focused education in many communities. Financial barriers can also hinder an individual’s ability to further education. A current lack of representation in the tech field means fewer role models and mentors for Hispanics seeking careers in tech.

Per Scholas is helping Hispanic learners overcome these barriers by providing the following:

• Exceptional Training
• Professional Development
• Connections to 850+ Employee Partners
• Community Support

Building a supportive community is particularly important in helping Hispanic learners succeed in tech. Mentorship helps learners develop core technology skills and enables them to build confidence and a deeper understanding of the technology industry.

There are already many incredible success stories about our alumni, including Hispanics in tech:

• Catherine Acevedo: Born in the Dominican Republic, Catherine Acevedo came to New Jersey as a young girl, eventually settling in New York. She worked in the restaurant industry and took courses in business and accounting. While doing computer work, she took an interest in cybersecurity. At the urging of her manager, Catherine enrolled in Per Scholas’s cybersecurity course and landed a great job as an Associate Engineer at Nagarro within two weeks of graduating.
• Angel Juarez: While restocking products at a retail store, Angel Juarez decided to apply for a Software Engineering Course at Per Scholas. He’s now a full-stack engineer with American Express and dreams of continuing his education by studying robotics.

The Role of Hispanic Tech Professionals in Building a More Inclusive Future 

Greater inclusion in tech brings diverse experiences and perspectives to the table. This can lead to more equitable technology solutions, such as improved customer outcomes and increased access to technology for everyone.

Hispanic professionals are already making great strides in the technology sector. A few include Paula Bellizia, who has held prominent positions at Google and Microsoft, and Victor Delgado, who heads Samsung’s Strategic Alliances in South Korea.

Hispanics in tech can inspire the next generation by volunteering at local schools and sharing their tech skills and knowledge. They can also engage in mentorship programs in the workplace, which help promote tech diversity. 

Why Representation Matters: Encouraging the Next Generation of Hispanic Tech Talent

The Hispanic population in the United States has recently passed 65 million, accounting for almost 71% of all population growth between 2022 and 2023. This means representation in tech is crucial for understanding the needs of the Hispanic community and inspiring future generations of Hispanic learners.

Watching successful role models in action through mentorship programs or other community involvement can inspire learners and professionals to choose technology as a future career.

There are several ways Per Scholas is reaching out to empower the next generation. The Centralized Internal Foundation was created to enable learners and diversify the tech industry. We also promote collaborative consulting and develop a customized pipeline of diverse candidates with skills to meet various business needs.

Support for Hispanic learners and diversity in tech can be increased in many ways. Schools can start by training teachers to better understand and support cultural differences. Families can help learners develop better language skills and increase their involvement in school activities. Communities can support local Hispanic organizations and provide learners with the necessary resources to succeed.

The Hispanic Community is increasingly driving the technology boom, but much work still needs to be done. Everyone must do their part to continue making progress. Whether through mentoring, advocating for diversity in tech, or supporting Per Scholas, we can each contribute toward breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future.

If you’re interested in helping us reboot the economy more inclusively, please donate to Per Scholas today.