Houston Spring 2023 Tech Fundamentals Graduation Book

TECH FUNDAMENTALS texas

Spring 2023 Tech Fundamentals Graduation Program

WELCOME

Jonathan Pride

NPower Texas Executive Director

INTRO TO ALUMNI SPEAKER

Dr. Diana Saenz

Site Director

ALUMNI SPEAKER

Jermain Collins

AmeriCorps Vista Member, Tech Fundamental Spring 22

INTRO TO STUDENT SPEAKER

Amina Brown

Business Development Manager

STUDENT SPEAKER

Giovanni Aceves

Tech Fundamentals Spring 2023

CLASS HONORS PRESENTERS

Ryan Listberger & Kira Braswell

Technical Instructors, NPower Houston

Adriana Torres

Social Services Manager

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Go Getter Award

Alexei Sloniewsky

Pay it Forward Award

Madison Garrett

Leadership Award

Angel Charles-Roberts

Academic Resilience Award

Akah Tenjoh

Digital Communication Star

Ajla Williams

Attendance and Participation Award

Jalen Samuels

Erika Hernandez

INTRO TO COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Kendra Parlock

NPower VP Partnership Development

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Dr. Paula Pineda

Assistant Director of Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity

PROGRAM COMPLETION CERTIFICATE CEREMONY

Kimberly Sonnier

Recruitment and Admissions Manager

CLOSING REMARKS

Jonathan Pride

NPower Executive Director

CAKE / CLASS GROUP PHOTOS

Our Story

NPower is a nonprofit rooted in the community and committed to advancing race and gender equity in the tech industry through skills training, real-world experience, support, and mentorships. The organization has helped young adults from underserved communities and veterans move from poverty to the middle class by training them with a range of tech skills and placing them in quality jobs.

Students who enter our free training programs earn industry-recognized certifications and graduate with the competencies of an IT professional with one to two years of experience. NPower also places students in paid internships and apprenticeships with corporate and nonprofit organizations. Eighty percent of NPower graduates get a full-time job or continue their education. NPower is a vital solution towards bridging the national talent gap that exists in the high-growth technology industry.

Over the past decade, NPower has expanded its program reach and developed a robust network of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized enterprises, government agencies, staffing firms, and a network of nonprofit partners that host its interns and hire its graduates full-time. To learn more about NPower, visit www.npower.org.

National Board of Directors

Matt Horner | Chair Executive Vice President, Global Enterprise Sales World Wide Technology

Gail Fierstein | Vice President

SVP, Global Head of People

CaaStle

Stephen M. Murphy | Secretary Sr. Managing Director, Financial Services Technology Global Lead Accenture

Viola Maxwell-Thompson | Treasurer CEO Emeritus Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF)

Michael Fugett | Board Observer NPower TX Graduate - VP, Production Management - U.S. Army - Citi

Luisana Estevez | Board Observer NPower NY Graduate - VP, Data Center Production Operations Engineer - Meta

Gerald Charles Jr. VP and Head of Product for Omni Customer Servicing

Capital One

Craig Cuffie

Chief Procurement Officer HSBC

Dean Del Vecchio EVP, Chief of Operations and CIO

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

Ami Desai Chief of Staff to Founder, Chairman & CEO Vista Equity Partners

Guillermo Diaz, Jr. Founder & CEO Conectado, Inc.

Michael Fey Co-Founder & CEO Island

Kateau James Global Chief Operating Officer Deloitte Technology

Tony Kerrison Chief Technology Officer Bank of America

Debra King Digital and Technology Officer Bunge

Jennifer Kleinert Chief Operating Officer, Enterprise Infrastructure Operations & Technology Citi

TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Hermen Wegayehu | Chair

SVP, Senior Information Security Officer Bank of America

Doug Barnes Vice President of Operations

NETSCOUT

Jacqueline Bragg

NPOWER ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE

Information Security Analyst, Citi

Dana Branch

Senior Vice President, AI Bank of America

Robert Elliot

Senior Client Director, Nexient

Steven Guiliani

Senior Engineering Analyst, Citi

Rashimi Jain CIO, Careington International

Mark Patterson SVP, Chief of Staff to Chairman & CEO Cisco Systems

Frank Pedersen Partner Apply Digital

David Reilly Tech Excecutive

Diane Schwarz VP, Chief Information Officer Johnson Controls

Dwight D. Shepherd REAR ADMIRAL (RETIRED) Executive Strategy & Standards, BISO IBM

Anupam Singhal Senior Vice President and Business Head Tata Consultancy Services

Josh Sutton Chief Executive Officer Agorai

Peter Trizzino President Dell Technologies Select

Sangy Vatsa

Founder Digital Insights, LLC

Bertina Ceccarelli

Chief Executive Officer

NPower

Terry Jenkins

NPOWER ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE

IT Business Unit Sr Analyst, Citi

Christopher Karp

Christopher Karp, Chewy

Michael Lawson

Sr Manager - Boeing Global Engagement Boeing

Bobbie Long

SVP Digital Automation & Infrastructure

Citi

Daniel Maslowski

Global Head, Digital Automation & Infrastructure, Citigroup

Ashley Neumeier

Account Executive, Optomi

Kris Norris Director of Strategic Partnership Kelly Services

Raymond Pitts

Senior Vice President - Data Center Migration

Portfolio Manager, Citigroup

Diane Schwarz

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER

Chief Information Officer, Johnson Controls

Adrian Silva

Senior Managing Director of Workforce Development and Apprenticeships

Dallas College

Brashanda Walker

NPOWER ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE

Jr. Network Engineer, Service Experts

Chris Young

U.S. Global Fi Strategic Resourcing Lead

WWT

Tresia Eaves

SVP, Program Manager, Citi

Commencement Speaker

Dr. Paula Pineda Assistant Director of Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity

A mission-minded, innovative, and strategic leader, Dr. Pineda is committed to extending economic opportunity to empower under-resourced communities and address inequality.

As a scholar of ethnic identity, ethnic conflict, and decentralization institutions, Dr. Pineda draws on her research background and interests to design programming and policy that addresses structural inequalities. An excellent communicator, Dr. Pineda has presented on identity, ethnicity, institutional design, and inclusive policy design across the US, UN-partnered initiatives, and abroad at the Hague, Iraq, Ecuador, and Turkey.

In her previous roles, Dr. Pineda led various workforce development and small business development efforts with the City of Houston, including work with partners such as Meta (Facebook) and federally-funded small business programming for Hurricane Harvey recovery.

Dr. Pineda is now serving as Assistant Director of ARPA initiatives with the Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO). In this role, she will lead DEEO’s efforts to provide inclusive economic development assistance via small business and workforce development strategies.

Alumni Speaker

Jermain Collins

U.S. Air Force - 5 ½ Years

Prior To NPower I worked as an Airport Operations Coordinator for the City of Houston, I also worked for Apple as a Technical Support Specialist on Mac and IOS.

Since becoming interested in technology NPower popped up on my LinkedIn and I was excited about the opportunity to learn more. Not only did they offer training in the areas I was interested in, they also provided job placement “Woo-hoo”, what a deal so I signed up and enjoyed every minute of it.

The instructors were quite knowledgeable and the placement team and professional development team really did a nice Job with preparing everyone for the new Tech Job roles. Thanks to NPower I now Feel EMPOWERED to do all tech well.

Student Speaker

Giovanni Aceves

I am an accomplished individual who takes great pride in celebrating my graduation and recent accomplishment of obtaining an IT certification from NPower. Beyond the confines of the classroom, I have actively pursued practical experiences, successfully completing an IT certification program offered by NPower, which has enabled me to remain at the forefront of emerging technologies. By actively engaging in extracurricular activities, I have not only showcased my leadership skills, but I have also harnessed my curiosity and eagerness to learn, resulting in a well-rounded skill set in IT.

I am eagerly poised to embark on a career path in the field of IT, leveraging my solid foundation, enthusiasm, and unwavering determination to make a positive impact within the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Statistics

The curriculum for this program includes a NetAcad learning module courtesy of the Cisco Networking Academy.

81% Graduation Rate Black / Hispanic / Asian Women

Certification Rate

Graduate Bios

In the early stages of my life, I filled composition notebooks with shapes, igniting my creativity and convincing my mother of my architectural ambitions. Over time, my aspirations shifted towards the world of fashion design. Alongside my artistic pursuits, I cultivated creativity within the digital space, exploring the fusion of art and technology. Reflecting on my journey, I am driven by a deep aspiration to incorporate my ideas and artistic vision into the thriving tech community. Despite the financial setbacks that prematurely ended my freshman year as a computer engineering major, my passion for technology burns brighter than ever. Learning about this opportunity reignited my determination to pursue my dreams, fueling a renewed sense of purpose. The chance presented by NPower, a program dedicated to guiding a Houston-based cohort through their tech journeys, resonates profoundly with my aspirations and propels me towards my dreams.

As a certified Paramedic and Veteran, I have always been passionate about Information Technology, but my biggest dilemma was “how and where to begin.” Thanks to NPower, I was given that opportunity to jumpstart my career in the tech industry. As a beginner in Tech, NPower gave me the foundation training and knowledge to obtain my CompTIA ITF certification at no cost. After graduation, I will be moving forward into Cybersecurity training which is my long-term career goal.

Ajla Williams

Akah Tenoj

Anetia Dickens

Prior to NPower, I was planning out how to start a new career path while balancing a recent company-wide lay off at my previous job that affected me financially and mentally. I had an interest in continuing my education, building my personal & professional brand, and branching out on my interests in working with technology as a career path. My dilemma was the affordability aspect and having the resources to obtain that additional education. My father introduced me to NPower based on a local Houston newscast he saw. Once I went on to research more about NPower and applied, I knew I made the best decision for myself and pursuing my future career. During my time at NPower, I was able to accomplish building upon my professional network and gain technical knowledge and skills within the IT field. Also, as a young African American woman I am immensely grateful that NPower has instilled confidence in me that I belong in the field of technology, mentorship, and support that I can carry with me throughout my new career. I have a better understanding of where patience, the courage to step out on faith, and a strong work ethic will lead me.

Angel Charles-Roberts

I came across NPower by chance, but I’m grateful that I did. I feel that NPower offers invaluable skills and opens doors to a whole world of IT prospects, potential, and opportunities. It has allowed me to acquire new skills and gain a wealth of knowledge in a field that I never thought I would be a part of. This program has truly broadened my horizons. Naturally, by gaining insight into various facets of computing, I have difficulty settling on a specific path because my interests evolve as I learn new disciplines.

If I were to speak to my younger self, I would say to her, “You possess untapped potential beyond your awareness. Your mind is like a universe of boundless possibilities waiting to be explored. Refrain from setting limits upon yourself, and instead, venture into every opportunity with an open mind.” I’m extremely excited to embark on this new venture, and eagerly anticipate what it will unfold.

Coming out of high school, I had what I thought was a clear future ahead of me. Receive a college basketball scholarship and become a professional player with a degree. Since college, my basketball adventure has come to a halt. In this present-day timeframe, I’ve obtained a high interest in tech. With a plethora of opportunities in the tech field, I know there will be someplace for me. With minimal tech knowledge, only performing mundane tasks on my gaming desktop, I was eager to learn more about this equipment. Fortunately, at this time I was introduced to NPower. My time at NPower has been nothing short of beneficial for obtaining knowledge in tech. With proficient instructors and other helpful resources at my disposal, obtaining useful certificates couldn’t have been easier. After my time at NPower, I’m hopeful that I will see myself flourishing in a tech related occupation someday.

My name is Brandon Robinson-Baylor aka BRob. I am a former college football athlete from Texas Wesleyan University, who enjoys playing video games and basketball. I loved that I have found a new path in life to pursue something that I enjoy doing.

Ashton Charles

Brandon Robinson-Baylor

Byron Cook

My name is Byron Cook and I am a 26-year-old professional black man. I’m a high school graduate with some college experience and I have hobbies in music and sports such as piano and basketball for example. NPower has been a great resource and opportunity for me to not only learn new skills but also start a new career path and I am more than grateful.

Hello, I’m Carolyna Wedde. I’m a first-time mom and what brought me to NPower was striving to have a career path. I have always wanted financial stability, which is hard to do without an education of some sort nowadays. When I got accepted to NPower, I was so excited to finally start heading towards my goal in life and create a stable future for my family. NPower has helped me create a wonderful network for myself and I have met many great people along the way. My instructors have helped me gain many certificates to help me reach my goal, and I couldn’t be more thankful. With the knowledge I have gained I want to find a great job in this career path and try to get a nice house for me and my family as soon as I can.

Carolyna Wedde

Before I joined NPower, I was a Waiter, and had been for years. Due to various life circumstances, I found myself as the sole income provider for myself, my wife, and our cat right out of high school. Being young and having no experience, the best income I could find was in restaurants. It was never something I was happy about doing, but it was what I needed to do to provide. As the years went on, I found myself needing more income to support us, but I lacked the resources, time, and experience necessary to find a better position. I thought I was trapped. That all changed when my father heard about a program called NPower on the news and encouraged me to apply. Through some miracle I got accepted into the program and am now on track to starting a real career in IT. The resources and opportunities that they’ve provided me over this course have been invaluable in my journey to success. It’s all thanks to them that I have a real opportunity to build a career and find a brighter future for myself and my family.

Technology was always a career path that I wanted to pursue but was always difficult for me to get my foot in the door. Mainly due to the lack of education in tech initially. Although I’ve taken tech classes in the past, it doesn’t compare to how helpful and in-depth the NPower program is. The NPower program has made it possible not only to commit to tech as a career but also to make connections with many great people that can potentially be very helpful in the future. Certifications that I’ve obtained through NPower have ultimately given me the opportunity to seek employment very efficiently. I recommend NPower to anyone as it has given me many great opportunities and continues to help me every day.

Carter Crafton

Corey Coste Jr.

Prior to joining NPower, I would have never considered a career in the technology industry. My knowledge of IT and other technology related topics was minimal. However, this all changed when I heard about NPower and the career and professional development services they offered. NPower has given me the opportunity to earn the ITF+ and A+ certificates, both being steppingstones into the technology industry. Whilst also offering career and professional services, everything from resume feedback, the job interview process, to finding and securing jobs in the technology industry. The one thing that was asked of me from NPower was hard work, something that I was willing to do for a chance at a new and exciting career. Beginning the NPower technology courses with no knowledge of what is being taught can be stressful and at times you feel like dropping out, these are feelings I have felt many times. But when you pass the test to earn your certification it’s all worth it, another existing feeling I had when I passed my certification test. My future after NPower is hopefully going to involve entering a technology career that I enjoy doing and with opportunities to grow.

Before being accepted into NPower, I was a college dropout with little to no insight on what career path I wanted to go on. I stumbled upon NPower one night and noticed all the positive benefits of being part of the program and decided to give it a shot and apply. Since joining NPower, I have learned far beyond the IT field, such as how to sharpen your soft/hard skills, prepare for interviews (such as mock interviews) or even learning how to network yourself. The staff at NPower truly wants to see you succeed and give you so many opportunities to do so by having many networking events and getting you more than just an IT certificate.

Daniel Aragon

Daniel Sullivan

Before NPower, I felt lost. I was drawn to the world of tech yet had no idea how to start a career in a field I knew little about. There were too many choices to learn about tech but at the same time limited opportunities I could feasibly pursue. NPower provided me with both the technical and professional skills necessary to begin the path to my career goals. Along with offering a great support system, from the staff to fellow trainees which were key to my growth and in overcoming obstacles faced during the program, NPower also supplied resources to guide me during and after the program. With these new skills and knowledge, I am excited and more confident of my future and the value I will bring to the continuously growing field of tech.

With a life shaped by adversity and a relentless pursuit of transformation, my journey reflects the resilience ingrained in my spirit. The Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2008 ravaged my family, leaving our lives and business shattered beyond repair. To mitigate the fallout, my wife and I enlisted in the Army, seeking solace and purpose. As we raised our daughter amidst simultaneous deployments, our strength grew. A career as a Firefighter/Paramedic beckoned, offering a chance to save lives and rebuild communities.

Transitioning from the military during the pandemic posed unique challenges, particularly in the medical realm. However, hope emanated when I discovered NPower—a catalyst for change. My blend of discipline, resilience, and a hunger for continuous improvement aligns perfectly with their ethos. As a pivotal leader in technological advancements, NPower fuels my passion for IT integration and empowers me to reshape the digital landscape. I stand at the precipice of innovation, ready to drive transformative change and turn dreams into reality.

Erika Hernandez

Geronimo Pena

I am an accomplished individual who takes great pride in celebrating my graduation and recent accomplishment of obtaining an IT certification from NPower. Throughout my academic journey, I have consistently demonstrated a strong passion for technology and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. With a proven track record of excelling academically, I have consistently displayed a thirst for knowledge and exhibited a remarkable aptitude for IT-related subjects, which has garnered accolades and recognition from both my teachers and peers. Beyond the confines of the classroom, I have actively pursued practical experiences, successfully completing an IT certification program offered by NPower, which has enabled me to remain at the forefront of emerging technologies. By actively engaging in extracurricular activities, I have not only showcased my leadership skills but also harnessed my curiosity and eagerness to learn, resulting in a well-rounded skill set in IT. Looking towards the future, I am eagerly poised to embark on a career path in the field of IT, leveraging my solid foundation, enthusiasm, and unwavering determination to make a positive impact within the ever-evolving digital landscape. My unwavering dedication to lifelong learning and ability to adapt to emerging technologies are attributes that undoubtedly drive my ongoing success.

My name is Jacqueline Randle and I have been a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for 25+ years and have had many accomplishments. I completed my certification with the highest grade in clinicals and highest grade in the overall course. I was very dedicated and brought problem-solving skills to my company. Life challenges kept me from furthering my education, and I’m currently in the ITF program through NPower, where I intend to work efficiently.

Giovanni Aceves

Jacqueline Randle

Jalen Samuels

I’m Jalen Samuels, a 22-year-old dream chaser ready to make waves in the world. With a resilient single mother as my inspiration, I’ve learned the power of perseverance and boundless possibilities. For the past four years, I’ve honed my skills in early childcare as an administrator and marketing director. Now, I’m venturing into the tech industry as a project manager or consultant, driven by my passion for organization and innovation. Graduating from the prestigious NPower program as a young woman of color is a humbling opportunity to shatter glass ceilings and pave the way for others like me. With boundless energy and unwavering belief in my abilities, I’m ready to embrace challenges and contribute to the dynamic tech landscape. Join me on this exhilarating journey as we redefine possibilities. Together, let’s make a lasting impact, inspiring others in a future where diversity, inclusion, and innovation reign supreme.

Jesus Galvan-Eguia

At the age of 5 years old my family arrived in the United States for a better and save environment. After completing high school, I decided to take the burden off my parents financially since college was not an option. I joined the U.S. Army Infantry proudly serving 23 years and retired honorably. After the military one of the biggest challenges was adapting to a new culture and language. While many of the skills and experiences gained in the military are highly transferable, it can be difficult to explain their relevance and value to hiring managers and job opportunities. I quickly discovered to transition into corporate America successfully I would need to align myself into a desired career. I personally expressed to my wife my desire and interest in the cyber security/IT field. My wife discovered and heard about NPower. We did some research and she signed me up. I came into the program with no knowledge of computers and can say today that I am grateful to be given the opportunity. With all the new resources and new skills, I have obtained I have no doubt I will thrive in my new career path successfully. Thank you, NPower!

John Huerta-Carlton

Before NPower, I had no clue where to start looking for a career, and with my dream to support a family I knew I had to start somewhere. When I heard NPower was expanding to Houston, I did research about the company, and the kind of positive changes they were making in people’s lives. Through that research and self-exploration, I knew this was a once in a lifetime chance to really have a Career! The instructors are very knowledgeable, and the resources are top tier. Gaining the knowledge necessary to pass the ITF+ certification has expanded my eagerness to continue learning. The Career development team has given us professional tips and tricks to feel like we belong in any field at the end of the day. What NPower has done for my future is invaluable and I can’t wait to continue my education and make a name for myself.

Before starting NPower, and many years ago I was a Navy Diver. My time in the Navy was excellent and I learned a great deal; however, my career ended very abruptly, and I was alone for a long time. I struggled to find work, eventually a representative from NPower contacted me and asked if I “was interested in technology”. I enthusiastically said “YES”. In fact, technology, (for lack of a better word) has always interested me since I was a kid. I’m “Gen-X”, folks my age saw the beginning of the modern computer age, we used floppy disks, the Atari game console and used rotary phones connected to the wall with a cord that was 4ft long. It is a privilege to take these NPower classes and be a part of technology for the coming future. Many things have changed since I was a child, and I love seeing the advancements in IT. I want to take the time to personally thank NPower for letting me be a student with them and I would highly recommend this company. They truly care deeply about your continued success.

Jonathan Hilt

As a high school graduate with a deep-rooted passion for technology, I acknowledge that my pursuit of this passion has faced certain detours due to choices I made in my life. However, throughout the years, I have consistently strived to self-educate; regrettably, I encountered recurring challenges that hindered my progress. Fortunately, my association with NPower has been transformative. By leveraging their extensive network, highly skilled instructors, and abundant resources, I successfully surmounted these obstacles and embarked on a progressive journey, obtaining multiple valuable certificates. These certificates serve as a testament to my commitment to professional growth, enabling me to offer enhanced expertise and value as a potential employee within the workplace.

Prior to NPower I’ve been intrigued by technology, and it has become a true passion of mine. The constant advancements and innovations in the tech world never cease to amaze and inspire me. From the way it has revolutionized communication to its impact on various industries, technology has the power to shape our future. NPower has shown me that technology is not just a career path for me, it is a lifelong fascination that continues to drive my enthusiasm and dedication. With NPower’s highly skilled and motivated instructors, social workers, and fellow students helping me with my technical, professional, and career development skills within the technical industry. It has been an amazing journey that I will be looking forward to taking into a workspace in the future. I would like to thank NPower Houston/San Antonio staff for an amazing opportunity to better myself and thank you again for all the outstanding resources from this program.

Jordan Reiss

Josh Anderson

I realized I wanted to go into IT a few years ago, when I repaired my own computer successfully and found that I loved every moment of the process. From then on, I started my own research into more about computers, how to troubleshoot them, and how to manage them. Before this moment, I had no idea what my career would be, and I felt like I was falling behind my peers, who already knew what they wanted to spend the rest of their lives doing. I found NPower’s amazing program through my city’s news station and immediately signed up since this would be the perfect opportunity for me. During my time in this course, we’ve had many small group assignments which were always my favorite, and we’ve had plenty of practice with public speaking which is super helpful. I’ve met a couple of friends along the way, and I am incredibly happy to have joined this program and receive the gracious opportunities they are giving us.

I’ve always loved technology, and I’ve had an interest in the hospitality industry. My hope is to combine them someday.

I’ve always been good with technology, and it has been something I’ve always wanted to do. Finding NPower was just lucky, I saw it on the news, and thought it would be a good fit for me.

NPower is an organization that can give me a head start in the industry. My favorite part was being able to demonstrate my skills, both prior knowledge and gained knowledge. I have benefitted from potential ideas for jobs and job training. I aspire to get a job in IT and move into my own apartment.

Being visually impaired can be a hard experience, and while I do my best with the vision I have, there are times where better vision would serve me well. I would tell my younger self… You will have chronic pain in life, but you will get through it eventually.

Madison Garrett

Matthew Stephenson

I’m Raymond Martinez and I grew up fascinated by technology. My interests were always there, but never dove into the industry due to not knowing where to begin the journey. When NPower was brought to my attention, I had no idea what great resources and training would be provided. I’m honored to be a part of NPower history and grateful for NPower to improve my future.

I’ve been wanting to get into the tech field since I was little because I loved growing up and just being around tech. When I started getting older, I would watch videos on YouTube about building a computer from scratch, and a few years ago I was finally able to do it with some help of course from online and family. My mom told me about NPower, and I didn’t like school, but I was like “why not let me try it?” and I have actually enjoyed being in this program to learn about technology and go more in depth into it, and I can’t wait to see what I gain out of this program.

Raymond Martinez

Thomas Sanchez

Eromosele

I am Vivian Eromosele, a determined individual whose journey has culminated in a remarkable milestone. With unwavering dedication and a thirst for knowledge, I have conquered the NPower unique training program, which enabled me to gain useful knowledge and certifications in Information Technology. Equipped with a resilient spirit, a bachelor’s degree, various certifications, and an insatiable drive for success, I, Vivian Eromosele, am poised to make a lasting impact as I embark on my next chapter into the professional world of Technology. I am grateful to NPower and honored to be a graduating student!

Vivian

Spring 2023 Tech Fundamentals

Giovanni Aceves

Josh Anderson

Daniel Aragon

Ashton Charles

Angel Charles-Roberts

Byron Cook

Corey Coste Jr.

Carter Crafton

Anetia Dickens

Vivian Eromosele

Jesus Galvan

Madison Garrett

Darryl Guilbeaux

Erika Hernandez

Jonathan Hilt

John Huerta-Carlton

Raymond Martinez

Kolawole Owobowale

Geronimo Pena

Jacqueline Randle

Jordan Reiss

Brandon Robinson-Baylor

Jalen Samuels

Thomas Sanchez

Alexei Sloniewsky

Anthoney Smith

Matthew Stephenson

Daniel Sullivan

Akah Tenjoh

Carolyna Wedde

Ajla Williams

Joshua Wilson

View Highlights:

https://www.npower.org/graduation/spring-2023/houston-texas/

LAUNCHING TECH CAREERS TRANSFORMING LIVES

NPower’s model is a solution to building a diverse tech pipeline. Our graduates launch tech jobs with an average starting salary of $41,000–$60,000 and are positioned to advance their career path, enabling them to earn more than their peers in lower-wage jobs. Higher earning potential is the key to breaking generational cycles of poverty, positioning our students and their families to achieve long-term economic success.

80% Of students who enroll graduate Of alumni get jobs or continue their education

(Based on NPower’s national data)

WE ARE THE FUTURE OF WORK

Through partner and tech industry collaboration, our free training model is a workforce development solution for the future. In today’s economy, over 50% of all jobs require some degree of technology and digital skill. We prepare untapped, diverse talent to fill the number of technology-oriented jobs that will increase in the U.S. to 13 million by 2025, according to a recent Microsoft Data Science report that estimates that digital job capacity.

Our graduates of over 6,000 veterans and young adults are hired at over 3,000 companies and nonprofits as interns and full-time employees. NPower is on a mission to create pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for young adults and military veterans from underserved communities. Part of this goal is supported by our Command Shift Coalition, a national consortium of women and allies that advocate for strategies that invest in and inspire the advancement of young women of color in tech careers and aims to increase the representation of women of color in tech from 5% to 10% over the next 10 years. This coalition was sparked by ‘40 by 22’, a NPower initiative to help young women of color access the skills needed to launch careers in the tech industry in partnership with Citi Foundation’s Pathways to Progress initiative.

NPower Founding Funders

NBA Foundation

National Pathway Builders

Pathway Builders are individual donors invested in the future of our country and changing lives for military veterans and young adults from underserved communities. To learn more about Pathway Builders or to join this group of changemakers, please visit npower.org/support or email hello@npower.org.

AMBASSADOR

Ronald Gula

Thomas Kurian

CHAMPION

Christiane Costello

Paul Daugherty

Dean Del Vecchio

Matt Horner

Jennifer Kleinert

Brian McCarthy

Mark Patterson

David Reilly

Ron Robbins

PARTNER

Craig Cuffie

Gail Fierstein

Shane Fitzsimons

Tony Kerrison

Debra King

Rick Scurfield

Josh Sutton

Cliff Thomas

Sangy Vatsa

Perry Wright

Lori Zugelder

SUPPORTER

Katherine Avery

Nic & Sasha Barnes

Robert Benoit

Jessica Berry

Stefanie Boles

Marletta Boyd II

Marletta Boyd Senior

David Boyle

Michael Bridges

Dale Brooks

Stephanie Byrd

Kristie Carney

Lisa Cawley

Gerald Charles, Jr.

Benjamin Cole

Hannah Craven

Quincy Davis

Carl De Groote

Richard DePalma

Damon Downing

Mike Elmore

Brett Fleischman

Sally Frank

Michael Fugett

Rami Gabriel

Kimika Garrett

Daniel Garrison

Amy Gnagy

Demetrius Goodwin

Michael Gregoire

Mark Heil

Rhonda Henley

Matt Holton

Cindy Hoots

The Hoyle Family

Jason Huebner

Olivia Jackson

Brooke Jaffe

Timothy Lyons

George Maddaloni

Fernando Matzkin

Viola Maxwell-Thompson

Richard Mclaughlin

Peter McNamara

David Miller

Robert Millstone

Brian Mize

Kevin & Melissa Modica

Brian Mooney

Tristan Morel L’Horset

David Niles

Rodrick O’Connor

Jonathan Orr

Frank Pedersen

Shane Pfannes

Stephen Poeppe

Greg Raimann

Jose Reyes

John Rosato

Jessica Roy

Michael Rupinski

Diane Schwarz

Gaurav Shah

William Shea

Dwight Shepherd

Randy Siedl

James Smith

David Sullivan

Nicole Tate

Coriel Taylor

Horace Tiggs IV

Zachary Vendeiro

Harish Venkitaramanan

Scott Wilton

Judy Winter-Giella

FRIEND

Einat Burshtine

Alexandra Gerdner

Benjamin Hyman

Ann Marr

Susanne Tedrick

Jose Vilar

Stefen Welch

Bruce Williams

National NPower Supporters

Underwriters $750K

Sponsors $250-$749K

Partners $100-$249K

AHEAD

Akamai Technologies

Andreessen Horowitz Cultural Leadership Fund

Ascension Health

Atlas Data Systems

BAE Systems

Beth & Ravenel Curry Foundation

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Centene Charitable Foundation

Corteva Agriscience

Check Point Software Technologies, LTD

Craig Newmark Fund

Dennis M Jones Family Foundation

Ernst & Young

Fiserv Inc.

General Motors

Globant

Hearst Foundation

Hewlett Packard Company

Infinidat

Ira W. De Camp Foundation

John & Marcia Goldman Foundation

Kaiser Permanente

KPMG

Light a Single Candle Foundation, NFP

LinkedIn Corporation

Maryland - AIF

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company

MTX Group Inc

NetApp

New Jersey Department of Labor

New York City

The New York Community Trust

New York State

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Norton LifeLock

Palo Alto Networks

Patrick J McGovern Foundation

Regional Business Council

State of Maryland

Tata Consultancy Services

The St. Louis Community Foundation

Twilio Inc.

United Way of Greater St. Louis

United Way of St. Louis

Workday Foundation

Supporters $50-$99K

The Achelis & Bodman Foundation

Arista Networks, Inc.

Armis Inc.

Ascension Information Services

Auth0 Inc.

Bader Family Foundation

Benevity Fund

Broadcom Inc

Capital One Financial Corp.

Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation

Cohesity

Communities Foundation of Texas

Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan

Consumers Energy

Data Dynamics, Inc

David Reilly

Emerson

Flextronics International USA, Inc.

Fortinet, Inc.

Henry & Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation

Hitachi

IBM

ING Financial Markets LLC

Intel Corporation

Kirkland & Ellis

Koret Foundation

L'Oreal Groupe

Medidata Solutions Inc

Merck & Co., Inc

Morgan Stanley

MUFG Union Bank

NetApp Inc.

New York City Council

OneTen

Oracle

Peter Trizzino

Rainwater Charitable Foundation

Royal Bank of Canada

Rubrik

S&P Global Inc.

Shippy Foundation

Society for information Management

SS&C Technologies, Inc.

Tanium Inc.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company

The Rockefeller Foundation

The Saigh Foundation

The William R. Orthwein, Jr. Foundation, Inc.

Thomas Kurian

United States Department of Homeland Security

United Way of Tarrant County

VMware Inc.

Vodaphone

Wells Fargo Bank

Wilson Sheehan Foundation

Wipro Technologies

Zendesk

Zoom