Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherri Sims.
Hi Sherri, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey has always been rooted in service, leadership, and creating pathways for others to succeed. I earned a degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Engineering, where early mentors played a pivotal role in shaping my passion for developing people and future leaders. Those formative experiences taught me the power of access, guidance, and opportunity—and they continue to influence my work today.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built a career across the nonprofit, corporate, and community sectors, serving in roles that blend strategy, execution, and impact. Prior to joining Per Scholas, I was a Program Manager at Deloitte Consulting, served as the CEO and Executive Director of The Rite Foundation, Inc., and co-chaired the Leadership Council at Posse Atlanta. Across each role, my focus remained the same: building strong teams, delivering meaningful programs, and creating systems that help people thrive.
Today, as Managing Director of Per Scholas Atlanta, I lead program implementation, employer and community partnerships, and fundraising efforts to ensure we deliver high-quality, no-cost technology training that leads to real career outcomes. I’m proud to support and serve alongside a dedicated team of staff, interns, and volunteers who are deeply committed to learner success and economic mobility.
I’m a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and my background also includes time as a massage therapist and yoga instructor—experiences that strengthened my people-centered leadership approach. Bringing together technology, wellness, and community is what drives me. At Per Scholas Atlanta, I’m honored to help expand access to tech careers and build pathways to long-term economic mobility for individuals across our community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Many of the individuals we serve face systemic barriers such as limited access to education, financial constraints, and underrepresentation in the tech industry. Per Scholas Atlanta works to remove these obstacles by offering no-cost training, career coaching, and wraparound support services that help learners persist, graduate, and succeed in the workforce.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Per Scholas Atlanta, we are focused on advancing economic mobility by providing no-cost, employer-aligned technology training to individuals who are often excluded from traditional career pathways. Our mission is simple but powerful: equip talented people with in-demand tech skills, professional confidence, and direct connections to employers so they can launch and sustain meaningful careers in technology.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just train people for their first tech job—we prepare them for long-term career growth. Our programs combine hands-on technical instruction, industry-recognized certifications, professional development, and career coaching, all designed in collaboration with employer partners to ensure our graduates are job-ready from day one. We also remain invested in our learners beyond graduation through continued alumni support and upskilling opportunities.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of Per Scholas’ commitment to equity and outcomes. We prove every day that talent is everywhere, even when opportunity is not. Our work strengthens individuals, families, and the broader Atlanta tech ecosystem by building a technical and professionally ready workforce.
At Per Scholas Atlanta, we offer immersive, no-cost training programs that prepare learners for high-growth, in-demand tech roles. Our current course offerings at Per Scholas Atlanta include:
– IT Support (AI-Enabled): Foundational IT skills, troubleshooting, system administration, and customer support, enhanced with AI tools and industry certifications.
– Software Engineering (AI-Native): Full-stack web development training using modern frameworks and AI-assisted coding tools.
– Cybersecurity with AI Tools: Training focused on protecting systems, networks, and data while leveraging AI in security workflows.
– Data Engineering & AI-Native Business Intelligence: Data acquisition, modeling, analytics, and business intelligence tools to support data-driven decision making.
– Data Center Technician with AI Tools: Hands-on training in enterprise infrastructure, hardware, networking, and AI-enhanced problem solving.
– Healthcare IT (AI-Enabled): Specialized IT support training tailored to healthcare environments and systems.
– Cloud Computing (AWS re/Start): Cloud fundamentals and real-world skills for entry-level cloud and systems roles.
– Salesforce Administration: Platform configuration, automation, and AI-enabled workflows to support business operations.
All of our trainings are offered at no cost to learners, made possible through the support of employer partners, funders, and donors. We want readers to know that Per Scholas Atlanta is not just a training provider—we are a trusted partner committed to building pathways to opportunity in Atlanta.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways individuals and organizations can work with, collaborate with, and support Per Scholas Atlanta. Community members and industry professionals can volunteer their time as mentors, mock interviewers, or guest speakers—helping learners build confidence and career-ready skills. Employers can partner with us by hiring Per Scholas graduates, participating in hiring events, and advising on curriculum to ensure our trainings align with real workforce needs. Supporters can also invest in Per Scholas by making donations or becoming funding partners, which allows us to expand access to no-cost tech training and create pathways to economic mobility for more Atlanta residents.
Pricing:
- All Per Scholas trainings are provided at no cost to learners.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://perscholas.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerScholasATLANTA
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/per-scholas-atlanta/
