Missouri Tech Fundamentals Spring 2022 Graduation Book

missouri

TECH FUNDAMENTALS

SPRING 2022

OUR STORY

NPower is a national nonprofit that offers an alternative fast-track to tech careers for military veterans, military spouses and young adults from underserved communities in New York, Texas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Missouri, and Michigan. Our six-month program fuels a diverse pipeline of digital professionals hired into entry-level and mid-level jobs by Fortune 500 companies throughout the U.S.

Our curriculum equips students to meet marketplace demand—engaging businesses, volunteers and nonprofits in their long-term success. We invest in the growth of our alumni with continued professional development and credentialing.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Gail Fierstein Vice Chair 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 US Army

NPOWER TX GRADUATE VP, Production Management Citi

Luisana Estevez Board Observer

NPOWER NY GRADUATE VP, Data Center Production Operations Engineer

MISSOURI REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Nicole Tate | Chair Area Vice President, Global Client Enablement World Wide Technology

Terrence Griffin Custom Software Engineering Associate Accenture Federal Services

Matt Holton Senior Vice President, Operations& Technology,NAM Mastercard

Gerry Lewis Chief Information Officer US Radiology Specialists

Justin McFarland Executive Vice President, Information Technology McCarthy Holdings, Inc.

Brian Mize Department Manager, Global Cyber Security Information Security Office Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Matt Rakers Executive Director, IT Shared Services KPMG

Scott Richert CIO Mercy

Michael Rupinski Vice President Keeley Companies

Reedy Wade Vice President, Academy Engagement & Impact NAF

Chris Wegmann Senior Managing Director Accenture

TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 3 missouri 2

NPOWER MISSOURI TECH FUNDAMENTALS

SPRING 2022 STATISTICS

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

77% BIPOC ENROLLMENT

43%

FEMALE ENROLLED

41% WAGE GROWTH POST PROGRAM

*Based on self-reported Spring 2022 cohort pre-employment wage data

TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 4 5 missouri

ALEXIS BURTON 25

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support

Specialist, Google Project Management

Before NPower, I was working in a gift shop at the Saint Louis Zoo and was laid off when the pandemic started. I pursued an entrepreneur route. After my small business came to a standstill, I became uninspired and depressed. Then I was I got an application link to NPower and asked, “What do you have to lose?” I took a leap of faith. Connecting with people my age interested in being a part of something innovative, especially women, was liberating. I enjoyed putting the knowledge I gained to the test through review games and quizzes. After graduation, I will continue my education and dive into the world of UX design, landing a career bridging the worlds of fashion and technology.

BRANDON BYAS 26

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support Specialist, Google Project Management

TYRA COLE 25

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA ITF+, Google IT Support Specialist

Before NPower, I felt lost. I was unemployed, getting in and out of trouble. I had no plan, but I knew I was good at helping people with their iPhones and tablets. I had no idea that you could go to for school for this, free. A friend introduced me to NPower. My experience has been fun, but also challenging. I was new to online classes and Zoom. I really enjoyed the labs and using the Kali-Linux terminal. I learned how to troubleshoot, install an operating system, and work with computers to communicate and transfer data. I will take the cybersecurity course and learn all the functions and commands for Linux.

Before NPower, I was working fulltime and had two college degrees and a few certifications. I knew about NPower from Facebook, but my schedule never worked to complete the hours required for certifications. At NPower, I found the practice Kahoots the most memorable. love how the instructors would switch it up by having us identify ourselves by something we learned or where we wanted to travel. Skills that I developed include project management, problem solving, and analysis. I hope to have job security in a field I love and an opportunity to learn new functions.

CHRISTOPHER CRUSE 23

BELLEVILLE, IL

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support

Before NPower, I felt lost. I was unemployed, getting in and out of trouble. I had no plan, but I knew I was good at helping people with their iPhones and tablets. I had no idea that you could go to for school for this, free. A friend introduced me to NPower.

My experience has been fun, but also challenging. I was new to online classes and Zoom. I really enjoyed the labs and using the Kali-Linux terminal. I learned how to troubleshoot, install an operating system, and work with computers to communicate and transfer data. I will take the cybersecurity course and learn all the functions and commands for Linux.

DAKOTA DUNSFORDGOLDWASSER

24

O’FALLON, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, Google IT Support Specialist INTERNSHIP Accenture

I joined the US Air Force after a year in college and played football. I was looking for something to do that would help me pay for college, and the Air Force was the best option. I served a little over six and a half years in the Air Force.

I was stationed in California, Washington, Korea, and Italy. I was also deployed to Iraq during Iraqi Freedom. After discharge, I went to work in Djibouti, Africa for 4 years. returned to the US in 2011 and began going to school. After college graduation, worked in various fleet management roles in municipalities in Texas and Colorado. Those jobs were rewarding, but I did not have a passion for them. NPower has provided me with an opportunity to get into a field that I am passionate about. I look forward to my new career in technology and the endless possibilities in this ever-changing career field.

GRANT HARTMAN 24

COLLINSVILLE, IL

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support Specialist

Before NPower, I did not feel there were many opportunities for me with my skill set. I dropped out of college and immediately went into the auto parts industry. It was a good first job, but I couldn’t move up. I ended up at a semi dealership and planned on going to school. That is until I heard about NPower from a friend who convinced me that it was not only something I would be interested in, but that it would be a great opportunity to break into an industry that I could enjoy and excel in. Now I feel like I have not only the technical knowledge but also the professional soft skills that will help me in any position.

TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 6 7 missouri

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support Specialist, Google Project Management

Before NPower, I was a college student working full-time. A friend mentioned NPower, and I decided to enroll to gain more information about IT. It was the best sacrifice I have ever made, but the challenges I faced were unexpected. Still, I enjoyed the training, including professional development day. My approach to encountering challenges is “trust the process, don’t rush and don’t hush.” I hope to get an IT job and more certifications. I thank everyone who is at NPower, whether they are instructors, job placement staff, recruiters, and, of course, trainees.

RYAN HECKMAN 23

WENTZVILLE, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, Google IT Support Specialist, Google Project Management

I worked odd jobs after high school, trying to find something I enjoyed. I was let go unexpectedly, but thankfully I saw a listing for NPower on Indeed.com. I had always been around technology and knew the basics. I learned the finer details of the technology we use and the solutions to the problems we encounter. I became more knowledgeable about the tools we use every day. It was hard to stay motivated at times, but I was able to think of the opportunities and powered through. I look forward to employment where I can hone my skills and continue my education.

KAYON HILL 20

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001

Prior to NPower, I was confused about a career. I spent a few months in college and knew I wouldn’t last four years. I found NPower by searching and applying for various tech programs. I had always known tech was a passion, but didn’t think I could make a career out of it. I enjoyed every moment at NPower; from the laughs and talks, to the at times stressful classes. After NPower I want to continue growing my tech skills and knowledge. I enjoy project management and would love to make a career out of it.

LANESHA HOUSTON

24

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, Google IT Support Specialist INTERNSHIP Accenture

JALYNN JACKSON 25

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, Google IT Support Specialist INTERNSHIP Accenture

RA’SHAWN MADISON 25

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support Specialist

INTERNSHIP United Way of Greater St. Louis, Desktop Support

Before NPower, I was working six days a week at USPS while enrolled as a full-time college student. I browsed Indeed.com for internships and came across NPower. I have developed not only technical skills, but professional and networking skills, too. I have seen improvement in my communication skills and have transformed so much. My goal is to obtain the rest of the certifications. I am applying for the advanced class cybersecurity class. I hope to land an apprenticeship after my internship with Accenture. I would like to shout out the entire NPower team. I feel that this program has given me an equal advantage to land a job in the tech field!

Prior to NPower, I worked as a registered behavior technician. I had two years of college but didn’t get a degree. I was unhappy working in healthcare and wanted a change. A friend, a trainee at NPower, encouraged me to apply because I was interested in tech. After seeing him gain skills and transform as a person, I jumped on the opportunity. NPower has been a positive, challenging experience. I’ve developed technical, leadership, and professional skills. The most challenging aspect was absorbing so much new information in a short time. I persevered by taking it one day at a time. After Tech Fundamentals, I hope to advance to the cybersecurity program and work as a security analyst.

Before NPower I had interviews for odd jobs and gained experience in managing my way in a corporate setting. I can whole-heartedly say I attribute my marketable skills, however, to NPower. I’ve always had a passion for the intricate details of how things work, and a job recruiter noticed that and recommended NPower. I’ve gained the ability to build relationships and most importantly, take on roles in IT. The biggest challenge was tying a tie for professional development days! I’d love to gain additional certifications and pursue cybersecurity. I also will be applying to college to advance my knowledge in other fields.

AYAN HARUN 25

TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 8 9 missouri

LAYLA MOSBY 20

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, Google IT Support Specialist

CONNOR PHARES 24

BARNHART, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, CompTIA A+ 1002, Google IT Support Specialist

INTERNSHIP Accenture

In high school, my help desk teacher recommended that I enroll in NPower, but upon graduation I had to immediately get into caregiving to help a family friend. A year after, I decided to jumpstart my IT career and enroll at NPower. I really enjoyed my journey at NPower. I met talented people and networked with individuals from companies that partner with NPower. My hope after NPower is to get an internship and gain experience and training to help me get a job as a help desk technician or a full-time job with the company I intern with.

Prior to NPower, I was in a dark place — dealing with sickness, divorce, and a lack of hope. I had dropped out of pharmacy school for health reasons and was stuck doing dead-end pharmacy jobs. I stumbled upon NPower when I was desperate to change fields and pursue my passion for IT. It sounded too good to be true.

NPower has been a wonderful experience. I have gained certifications, job skills, built friendships, and networked with professionals. Dealing with the disappearance of my sister and near death of my dad almost led me to quit, but I wanted to show people how my perseverance would pay off. I plan to help others begin their IT careers, while gaining more skills, and gaining experience. Thank you to every instructor, admin, and professional development member for all the support, guidance, and encouragement to push through until the end!

KEHNAN REEVES 19

BELLEVILLE, IL

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support Specialist

My experience at NPower has been both challenging and fun. For the first time, it felt like I was doing something with my life. I look forward to earning full-time employment in the IT field. I want to thank my classmates for being there with me along the journey!

HAYLEY TURMAN 20

DE SOTO, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CompTIA A+ 1001, Google IT Support Specialist

DEVINE WELLS 21

SAINT LOUIS, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Google IT Support Specialist

I went to college for one year. Then the pandemic hit, and I didn’t go back. I have been with my company for almost two years, working part-time. I saw the posting about an IT internship on Indeed.com and thought it would be a great way to focus on something that has always been an interest. NPower has been amazing! I used to procrastinate, but now I love doing the assignments. I hope to work full-time in IT, with a focus on data analytics. I will continue to work on certifications.

My life prior to NPower was all about making a living and working 9 to 5. I had little ambition to do anything else. I enrolled in the program because I received a revelation from a mentor who told me he could see me doing cybersecurity. He pushed me to think outside the box. My NPower experience has been positive and very helpful. I developed tech skills and learned so much about myself. I am not the same as I was going into this program. I procrastinated and lacked selfdiscipline. I am standing tall to the very end of the program — giving it my all. I will continue to get my certifications and gain more confidence in my ability to overcome obstacles.

missouri TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 10 11

ADNAN ALI

PAIGE BELL GEORGE JACKSON

CHARKEYAH MARTIN

EUGENE PHILLIPS

ASHANTI ROBINSON

QUEST SAMPSON

DAKOTA ZEITER

missouri

CONGRATULATIONS!

TECH FUNDAMENTALS SPRING 2022

ADNAN ALI

PAIGE BELL

ALEXIS BURTON

BRANDON BYAS

TYRA COLE

CHRISTOPHER CRUSE

DAKOTA DUNSFORDGOLDWASSER

GRANT HARTMAN

AYAN HARUN

RYAN HECKMAN

KAYON HILL

LANESHA HOUSTON

JALYNN JACKSON

GEORGE JACKSON

RA’SHAWN MADDISON

CHARKEYAH MARTIN

LAYLA MOSBY

CONNOR PHARES

EUGENE PHILLIPS

KEHNAN REEVES

ASHANTI ROBINSON

QUEST SAMPSON

HAYLEY TURMAN

DEVINE WELLS

DAKOTA ZEITER

WATCH THE RECORDING npower.org/graduation/spring2022

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TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 12 13 missouri

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.

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 4,000 veterans and young adults are hired at over 2000 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 our ‘40 by 22’ initiative, which aims to advance more young women of color in tech careers. This initiative is supported by the Citi Foundation’s Pathways to Progress initiative.

› Of students who enroll graduate

› Of alumni get jobs or continue their education

81%

*based on 2018–2019 national data TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 14 15 missouri

THANK YOU...

TO OUR FUNDERS

Accenture

Ameriprise Financial

Ascension Technologies

AT&T Foundation

Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation

Centene Charitable Foundation

Clayco

Dennis & Judy Jones Family Foundation

Emerson

Enterprise Holdings

First Bank

Google

Keeley Companies

KPMG

Light a Single Candle Foundation

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Mastercard

Matt Holton

McCarthy Holdings

Mercy

Mercy Caritas

Metlife

Michael Rupinski

Nestle

Netscout

Nourishing – A Schnucks Foundation

OneTen Coalition Inc.

Pershing Charitable Trust

REJIS/Gateway to Innovation

SIM St. Louis

SkillUp

St. Louis Community Foundation

Tata Consulting Services

The Boeing Company

The Cultural Leadership Fund | Andreesen

Horowitz

The Mize Family

The Pott Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation

The Saigh Foundation

United Way of Greater St. Louis

William and Laura Orthwein Foundation

World Wide Technology

Jazz IT UP Funders

Stefanie Boles

Maryann Copenhaver

Giovani Dambros

Aaron Geiger

Ashley and Julian Harris

Michael Horner

Matthys Lourens

Ann Marr

Justin McFarland

Vishal Pushpa

Scott Richert

Michael Rupinski

David Schenberg

Nicole Tate

Erica Wilson

Bryan York

TO OUR EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS

Accenture

Accenture Federal Services

Acropolis Technology Group

Aerotek

Apex Systems

Boeing

Centene

City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office

Clayton School District

Enterprise Holdings

Express Scripts

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Intelliteach

Jennings School District

Keeley Companies

KPMG

Mastercard

McCarthy

Mercy

Merge IT

Nestle

Peabody Energy

Retail Technology Group

Scale AI

Slalom

Spectrum

Stifel

St. Louis Zoo

United Way of Greater St. Louis

World Wide Technologies

AND TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

Accenture Federal Services

Anders CPA

Bank of America

Boeing

Centene

Enterprise Holdings

Ernst and Young

Kemper Life Nestle

Operation Hope

Oregon State Treasury

TCS

United Way

Verizon

WWT Slalom

TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 16 17 missouri

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.

AMBASSADORS

Ronald & Cynthia Gula

Charitable Fund

CHAMPIONS

Tim Brien

Dean Del Vecchio

Mike Elmore

Gail Fierstein

PARTNERS

Pete Agresta

Guillermo Diaz, Jr.

Diane Gherson

Candace Givens

Mark Heil

Matt Horner

Stephen Murphy

Christopher Perry

Daniel Petrozzo

David Reilly

Julie Sweet

Peter Trizzino

Debra King

Jennifer Kleinert

James Linnett

Tristan Morel L’Horset

Harry Moseley

Larry Quinlan

Diane Schwarz

Ellyn Shook

SUPPORTERS

Mahir B AbdalRazzaaqEl

James Alcombright

Robert Anselmo

Linda Apsley

Jack Azagury

Peter Benzie

The Ramesh and Kalpana

Bhatia Family Foundation

Michael Blumstein

Brian Bohan

Chad Bope

James Carey

Steve Cass

Joseph Castro

Vittorio Cretella

Paul Daugherty

Anthony DeLisio

Richard DePalma

Bruce Derr

Anthony DiSanto

Darcy Down

FRIENDS

Einat Burshtine

Benjamin Ciaglo

Noreen Fierro

Michael Fugett

Pedro Garcia

Betsy George

Doug Greene

Scott Harris

Jason Heckler

Jonathan Hicks

Matt Holton

Stuart Henderson

Florian Jaze

Patricia Karzai

Leif King

Aaron Lewis

Viola Maxwell-Thompson

Catherine McDonald

Robert Millstone

Paul Miranda

Brian Mize

Hunter Muller

Joe Murphy

Allison Crady

Amy Heydman

Christine Parsons

Frank Pedersen

Greg Raimann

Michael D Robinson

Michael Rupinski

Diana Scott

Dwight Shepherd

James Smith

Joel Spieth

Harold & Diane Steuber

Nicole Tate

Susanne Tedrick

Rex Thexton

Cliff Thomas

Rah Thomas

Joel Unruch

Alphonse Valbrune

Robert Vaughn

Chris Wegmann

Casey Wells

Crystal White

TECH FUNDAMENTALS | SPRING 2022 18 19 missouri

NPOWER SUPPORTERS

UNDERWRITERS | $750K+

SPONSORS | $250K+

PARTNERS | $100K+

AHEAD

Andreessen Horowitz

Atlas Data Systems

Beth & Ravenel Curry Foundation

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Centene Charitable Foundation

Check Point Software Technologies

Corteva Agriscience

SUPPORTERS | $50K+

The Achelis & Bodman Foundation

ADP Foundation

Ascension Information Services

Auth0

Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund

Blue Data

Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation

Centene Corporation

The Centene Charitable Foundation

Craig Newmark Philanthropies

Dennis M. Jones Family Foundation

Emerson

Ernst & Young

Fiserv

Global Leadership Forum

Hewlett Packard Company

Ira W. DeCamp Foundation

KPMG

Llewellyn Family Foundation

Maryland Apprenticeship

Innovation Fund

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

MTX Group Inc

NetApp

NETSCOUT

The New York Community Trust

Palo Alto Networks

Patrick J McGovern Foundation

The Pinkerton Foundation

Rocket Community Fund

St. Louis Community Foundation

Tata Consultancy Services

Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan

Communities Foundation of Texas

Consumers Energy

Elasticsearch

Flextronics International USA, Inc.

Fortinet

France-Merrick Foundation

Henry & Ruth Blaustein

Rosenberg Foundation

IBM

Infinidat

JobFirstNYC

Kaiser Permanente

Kirkland & Ellis

Light a Single Candle Foundation

LinkedIn Corporation

Mainline Information Systems

Mass Mutual Insurance Company

Medidata Solutions

Morgan Stanley

TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS FRIENDS

Motorola Solutions

New York City Council

Northrop Grumman Corporation

OneTen

The Rockefeller Foundation

Royal Bank of Canada

SAP

The Saigh Foundation

Shippy Foundation

State Street Bank

Texas Workforce Commission

Twilio Inc

United Way of Greater St. Louis

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program

West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation, Inc.

Workday Foundation

St. Louis Regional Business Council

Tanium Inc.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Vmware

Vodafone

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

Wilson Sheehan Foundation

Veritas Zoom

Thanks to our government partners, the U.S. Department of Labor, Maryland, New Jersey and New York Department of Labor.

Ainslie Foundation

Accenture

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