Per Scholas Chief Training Officer Jasmine Miller was featured by TEKsystems for her insight into women in tech and workforce equity. As a partner of Per Scholas, we have worked closely with TEKsystems to empower our learners and alumni to make a more streamlined, direct connection to in-demand employment opportunities in tech.

“Imposter syndrome can be a problem for women in any male-dominated field,” Jasmine Miller noted, “but because the IT industry is 75% male, the data shows that women report a lower rate of belonging than men. The needle will move when women are encouraged to bring their full selves to work and welcomed into an environment that supports them.”

In her role, Jasmine has been intentional about bringing in more women for Per Scholas’ training, where 41% of our learners in 2022 were women. Unlocking potential in women learners who step into tech roles has been a priority as a pioneer for equity.

Read the full feature here.

The Columbus Dispatch featured Per Scholas in an article featuring our Tech Women of Color workforce initiative.  This initiative is supported by a $4.5 million grant that was unanimously approved by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners on International Women’s Day. The free, 15-week course will kick off in July and aims to train 200 women of color in cohorts over the next two years.

“We are grateful to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for providing us the opportunity to be of service to our community, and to our local partners who will come alongside us as we seek to make a transformative impact in this county,” stated Jenn Fowler Howard, Senior Director of the Tech Women of Color Alliance. “We recognize that this project will not only change the lives of the women who participate but will also build stronger families, communities, and businesses for years to come.”

This workforce initiative is part of Per Scholas’s ongoing goal to promote the presence of women in tech.

Read the full article from The Columbus Dispatch here!

Per Scholas Expands Cybersecurity and Tech Training Offerings to St. Louis 

Cortex Innovation Community Welcomes Per Scholas As Part of Strategy To Accelerate Region’s Inclusive Economic Growth

ST. LOUIS (April 4, 2022) — National tech training nonprofit Per Scholas today announced its expansion to St. Louis and the appointment of Dr. Charlie Mackey, Jr. as Per Scholas St. Louis Managing Director. Through an innovative partnership with Cortex Innovation Community, Per Scholas St. Louis will offer its tuition-free, rigorous technical training as the latest addition to Cortex, from its newest campus, located at 20 S. Sarah Street in the District. 

Sam Fiorello, Cortex President & CEO, said, “Cortex is thrilled to welcome Per Scholas and Dr. Charlie Mackey, Jr. to the St. Louis community. The St. Louis region has a large number of unfilled jobs, particularly in growing areas like cybersecurity; adding Per Scholas to the existing infrastructure of local training partners will strengthen the support necessary to employ under-skilled workers and fill these critical job openings in the St. Louis region.” 

Per Scholas has advanced economic equity for more than 25 years by offering evidence-based, tuition-free technology training and connecting Per Scholas graduates to high-growth careers in technology. Aligned with its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, and more than a third identify as women. Graduates are hired into tech roles by more than 650 employer partners nationwide, ranging from Fortune 500 to innovative startups. 

“I am honored to join Per Scholas and lead our transformational work here in St. Louis. I believe our training removes two of the largest barriers for members of our local community who aspire to work in technology: access and affordability. By removing these barriers, Per Scholas learners and our future St. Louis graduates can achieve social and economic mobility,” said Dr. Charlie Mackey, Per Scholas St. Louis Managing Director. “Our partnership with Cortex – and being located in this incredible District – will propel our ability to interact with the local tech community and employers in need of tech talent. Per Scholas St. Louis is excited to join CyberUp and NPower in training St. Louis’ future technologists. Together, I’m confident we’ll be able to achieve our shared vision of a more inclusive and diverse tech workforce here in St. Louis.”

In 2022, Per Scholas St. Louis will offer Cybersecurity and IT Support skills training and is currently accepting applications for its Cybersecurity cohort, scheduled to begin on June 17. 

The Cortex Innovation Community is committed to partnering with employers, training providers and academic institutions to grow and attract quality jobs and prepare a diversity of talent to fill those jobs. Partnering with Per Scholas to fill the need for skilled talent in cybersecurity and tech is a critical component of Cortex’s recently released 5-year strategic plan. 

“It takes focused, intentional collaboration to achieve a vision as ambitious as an equitable, inclusive, and diverse workforce, and Per Scholas is grateful to Cortex for their leadership and warm welcome to St. Louis. The opportunity before us is great, and with Charlie at the helm, I know Per Scholas St. Louis will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our learners, their families, and the newest city Per Scholas is proud to call home,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO, Per Scholas. 

Per Scholas St. Louis will participate in the Cybersecurity Minicon, hosted by The Global Center for Cybersecurity @ Cortex on April 7. For additional details and to register, click here.  

To learn more about Per Scholas St. Louis, click here. To learn more about Cortex Innovation Community, www.cortexstl.org.  

About Cortex Innovation Community: Cortex is a vibrant space serving as an inclusive economic engine for St. Louis. Cortex creates equitable economic impacts by leveraging high-quality facilities, developing programs that build knowledge and networks, and convening strategic partnerships that attract and support emerging and established companies. Founded in 2002 through a collaboration of Washington University in St. Louis, BJC HealthCare, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Cortex Innovation Community (CortexSTL.org) is an internationally recognized hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that is focused on accelerating inclusive economic growth in St. Louis. 

About Per Scholas: Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for more than 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 18 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 16,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Per Scholas Promotes Jasmine Miller to Chief Training Officer

BRONX, N.Y. (March 30, 2022) — Jasmine Miller has been promoted to Chief Training Officer at Per Scholas, the national nonprofit announced today. A seasoned, visionary leader with a passion for technology and commitment to advancing economic equity, Jasmine joined Per Scholas in 2016 as Managing Director of Per Scholas Atlanta. As Chief Training Officer, Jasmine will be responsible for driving the strategy and outcomes of Per Scholas’ rigorous technical training offerings at 17 campuses nationwide and growing, as well as Per Scholas’s National Remote Training Team. 

“I’m humbled by this promotion and the opportunity to ensure excellence in Per Scholas’ tech training – from our learners to graduates, instructors to technical assistants and beyond,” said Jasmine Miller, Chief Training Officer, Per Scholas. “The time is now to make systemic, positive change in tech by training best-in-class talent for the jobs of today to achieve the vision of tomorrow.” 

Jasmine will lead Per Scholas’ ambitious growth plan to train 10,000 learners annually in the next five years, preparing America’s future technologists for in-demand jobs with a variety of skills, from IT Support to Cybsersecurity, Cloud Computing, Software Engineering, Java Development, and more. Technology continues to be one of America’s highest growth sectors and, aligned with Per Scholas’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, 85 percent of Per Scholas learners are people of color, and more than a third identify as women nationwide.  

“Per Scholas is making transformational change each and every day, training America’s future technologists in the skills they need to be competitive and ready for a variety of roles, from IT Support to Cybersecurity, Software Engineering to Java Development and beyond. I’m thrilled about Jasmine’s recent appointment to serve as our Chief Training Officer and know with her expertise, compassion, and leadership, Per Scholas will continue to increase economic equity and advance opportunity nationwide,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas.

Most recently, Jasmine served as Regional Senior Vice President for Per Scholas campuses located in the South and Midwest. To learn more about Per Scholas, please visit www.PerScholas.org. 

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 16,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Per Scholas Newark Set to Train More than 200 Technologists in 2022

Jessica Zorola Joins Tech Training Nonprofit as Managing Director

NEWARK, N.J. (March 16, 2022) — Per Scholas Newark recently welcomed Jessica Zorola as Managing Director, leading the national nonprofit’s technology training efforts in Newark, New Jersey. Per Scholas Newark is set to train more than 200 technologists in the year ahead in skills ranging from IT Support, Software Engineering, AWS re/Start, and Cybersecurity. 

“I believe in Per Scholas’s powerful vision that a thriving workforce starts with an equitable access to education. Per Scholas is an anchor institution within the community, poised to close the digital divide in Newark,” said Jessica Zorola, Per Scholas Newark Managing Director. “Our graduates demonstrate that having access to in-demand tech and professional skills training creates a thriving, diverse tech workforce for the Newark business economy.”

In mid-February, 15 learners successfully graduated from an IT Support cohort, earning industry credentials including the CompTIA A+ certification and Google IT Support Professional Certificate. and increasing their knowledge and skills to fill a wide range of entry-level technology jobs. Aligned with Per Scholas’s commitment to advance equity and increase opportunity in technology, 100 percent of this cohort are people of color and nearly 50 percent identify as women.  

“I’m so grateful to be able to embark on this exciting new career path,” reflected graduate Angelique Adolph. “Armed with solid tech training and industry-recognized certifications, I look forward to securing a job as an IT Support professional and to continuing my education toward becoming a Cybersecurity Analyst.” Angelique experienced a pandemic-related job loss in July 2021 and soon after applied to tech training offered by Per Scholas. 

One of Per Scholas Newark’s newest partners and key supporters of this specific IT Support cohort is The Arman Roy Foundation, a local organization committed to bridging the digital divide for the last three years in honor of Arman Roy, a compassionate young man with a gift for technology. Founder and Chairperson Manisha Roy served as the keynote speaker at graduation, commending learners for making an investment in their own education, the hard work, and sacrifice required to achieve this milestone, and for being able to write their own unique chapter on success. 

“Our partnership with Per Scholas has been a natural and seamless one because both of our organizations are committed to improving equity through access to technology training and job placement so that all motivated students who work hard to achieve their goals can look forward to a bright future, regardless of where they have come from,” said Minal Mosca, Arman Roy Foundation Board Member, and Arman’s aunt. “We are excited about a strong future of collaboration with Per Scholas.” 

To learn more about Per Scholas Newark, please visit www.PerScholas.org/Newark. 

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 16,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Following Black History Month in February, we are thrilled to spotlight Per Scholas Executive Vice President of Social Ventures, Damien Howard, and his feature as a Workforce Trailblazer with New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP).

Among the collection of trailblazers, Damien’s experience of over 20 years at Per Scholas and being a champion for diversity and economic equity among the tech community is commended. To read his full profile with NYATEP and to learn more about Damien Howard, click here.

This month, Voyage Phoenix interviewed Jaclyn Boyes as she discussed her past experience and Per Scholas Phoenix in its inaugural year in the community.  Coming from a background in leadership and nonprofit work, Jaclyn mentioned her past experience was a great foundation for her role as Per Scholas Phoenix’s Managing Director.

“Our goal is to prepare overlooked talent – Black, Brown, and female talent in particular – who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers that serve as an on-ramp for middle-class, well-paid jobs,” Jaclyn reflected. “The types of jobs that allow people to buy homes and begin to create wealth. The types of jobs that change the trajectory of individuals and families for generations.” 

Building on this inaugural year for Per Scholas Phoenix, Jaclyn plans to diversify the tech industry with our cost-free tech training to grow with the demand for tech jobs in the Southwest community.

To read the full interview with Jaclyn Boyes, click here!

TEKsystem’s December issue of their publication Version Next, Now featured Per Scholas’s Executive Vice President of Social Ventures Damien Howard and his powerful commentary making the business case for diversity, he positioned Per Scholas as a go-to resource for building diverse talent pipelines.  “The pandemic has illustrated just how essential inclusion and diversity (I&D) are, and if we don’t continue to focus and call for action in this critical area, we’ll never have an equitable recovery,” Damien stated.

Read the full publication here to learn more about real-world insights and expert perspectives on breakthroughs in technology that are impacting business.

Per Scholas is proud to announce the appointment of Victor De La Paz as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of our national operations.

In this new role on our National Leadership Team, Victor will be accountable for the Fiscal, HR Administration, IT & Operations/Facilities Teams and will support Per Scholas with key strategic financial decisions with the Board of Directors, funders, and partners. “His broad-based experience and acumen, as well as his dedication to educational excellence, will ensure that he will be a terrific member of our organization, and will help support Per Scholas with key strategic and financial decisions as we continue to grow and expand our mission,” stated Per Scholas President and CEO, Plinio Ayala.

Victor comes to Per Scholas from The Peace Corps where he was appointed by the White House to serve as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Previously, Victor held CFO roles across notable educational institutions including Achievement First, New Haven Public Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools, and Hartford Public Schools, in addition to his work as an Adjunct Professor at the Yale School of Management. In addition, Victor sat on the Board of Directors for the Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC).  “When I made the career switch to Education, I felt immediately connected to the customer and what they want for themselves and their families,” Victor reflected.  “I think Per Scholas is the kind of organization that gets that and wants to create a positive trajectory for people. I am excited to join this team and meet everyone over time.”

Victor holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Management and a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University. He lives in Wethersfield Connecticut with his wife Jennifer, 8-year-old Victoria, and 3-year-old Adrian. We are very pleased to welcome Victor to Per Scholas and grow from his experience and expertise!

Columbus, Ohio (July 28, 2021) – Noah Mitchell has been promoted to Managing Director of Per Scholas’s Columbus, Ohio campus, the national nonprofit announced today. 

Launched in 2012, Per Scholas Columbus has trained more than 800 individuals in a variety of technology courses, ranging from IT Support to Cybersecurity, Java Developer and beyond. More than 80 percent of Per Scholas Columbus graduates are currently working for Columbus-area businesses in technology roles at companies including TEKsystems, Nationwide, and Sage.  

“For me, it always comes down to our learners. I’m so proud of the way Per Scholas creates pathways that our learners can sprint through, creating opportunities to be the very best, and collaborating with our greater Columbus community to make an even bigger impact on the lives of individuals, their families, and our community,” said Noah Mitchell, Managing Director, Per Scholas Columbus. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion is very important to me, as well as to Per Scholas. Whenever we can eliminate barriers for people, it’s a worthwhile endeavor.” 

Noah has held a variety of positions with Per Scholas before this most recent promotion, including Site Director, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Learner Experience, and Manager of Career Advancement. He will lead a team of 12 Columbus-based staff and is currently hiring a Senior Manager of Recruitment and Admissions. 

With several IT Support courses underway, Per Scholas Columbus is actively recruiting learners for its next IT Support cohort, scheduled to start September 20. Applications are due September 9, and interested individuals can learn more here. Per Scholas’s Columbus campus is located downtown, at 112 Jefferson Avenue. 

To learn more about Per Scholas Columbus, visit www.PerScholas.org/Columbus.

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.