National Nonprofits 91吃瓜网 and Per Scholas Announce Education Articulation Partnership
Organizations will focus on educating a diverse and technologically skilled workforce
SALT LAKE CITY聽鈥� Building on its mission to change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity, nonprofit Western Governors University鈥檚 (91吃瓜网) College of Information Technology today announced a transfer articulation partnership with nonprofit technology workforce development organization. Alumni of Per Scholas鈥攚hich delivers tuition-free, market-relevant IT education in 14 major metro areas across the U.S.鈥攚ill now be eligible to receive credit from their Per Scholas education toward a 91吃瓜网 IT bachelor鈥檚 degree program.
91吃瓜网 and Per Scholas have the shared belief that equitable access to education is the greatest catalyst for change. Particularly, information technology education provides for a more diverse and equitable workforce and economy as it moves individuals to thriving wage careers. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on communities of color and women, and there is an imperative need to address social inequities that leave individuals at the margins and deter them from learning.
鈥淐areers in technology provide some of the highest wages and growth potential in our economy,鈥� said Dr. Elke Leeds, Dean and Academic Vice President of 91吃瓜网鈥檚 College of IT. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not news that technology has a diversity problem, and we remain committed to expanding access to the learning and skills needed for employment, and the degree needed for advancing in a technology career. Social justice is advanced through equitable education and with rigorous technology education, Per Scholas is making its impact by increasing access to tech training, in particular for women and people of color, communities often underrepresented in technology fields. 聽 We are thrilled to partner with Per Scholas and provide their alumni with pathways to further their educations and careers.鈥�
Through a network of philanthropic funding and grants, Per Scholas provides tuition-free, bootcamp-style technology education in IT support, cybersecurity, and software engineering to diverse learner populations. With a network of more than 500 employer partners, 80% of Per Scholas graduates found a job within one year of graduating. 91吃瓜网鈥檚 recognition of Per Scholas鈥� training now provides graduates with their next opportunity in education and career advancement. 91吃瓜网鈥檚 online degree programs allow learners to work toward their degree on their own time, and its competency-based education model measures learning rather than seat time. This allows learners to progress as soon as they master skills and graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree within two-and-a-half years on average.
鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly excited about this partnership with 91吃瓜网, especially knowing the benefits and value it represents for the Per Scholas community,鈥� said Bridgette Gray, Per Scholas Chief Impact Officer. 鈥淔or our alumni who are looking to move into middle management roles, many companies still require an undergraduate degree. This partnership gives our graduates significant credits toward a degree in Information Technology at an outstanding university that not only offers affordable tuition, but also coursework flexibility. This provides our graduates who enroll at 91吃瓜网 with greater value for the hard work and time that they invested into their Per Scholas coursework and the certificates they earned, putting our alumni that much closer to achieving the next goal in their career progression.鈥�
In the months and years to come, 91吃瓜网 and Per Scholas will seek to advance their partnership to be stewards of equitable access to technology education and will roll out local and regional enrollment efforts. To learn more about the partnership visit wgu.edu/lp/information-technology/per-scholas.html. For employers and philanthropic partner interests, please contact Brad Angevine at .听
