Promise Alumni- Jackson Bouie

Jackson Bouie is a 2015 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, and 2020 graduate of the Kalamazoo Technology Training Partnership’s (KTTP) IT Certification Program.

In 2019, the Google IT Support Professional Certification Program was adopted to create access to education and training so that Promise Scholars are connected to good paying jobs in Kalamazoo’s business community.

For Promise Alum Jackson Bouie, the ability to pursue a more hands-on approach to his education opened opportunities to pave a path in the information technology (IT) industry.

Jackson is a 2015 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, and 2020 graduate of the Kalamazoo Technology Training Partnership’s (KTTP) IT Certification Program.

Jackson found his passion for IT early in his life. Growing up, he would always be the one to help his family with their technology issues.

“Since I was 9, I’ve had a desktop computer in my room. I would search Google for solutions to any tech issues my family and I would have. I would fix routers, modems, TVs, and monitors. If anything was broken, I would be the one to fix it.”

Upon graduating from Kalamazoo Central, Jackson enrolled in Western Michigan University. Initially in school for sales and marketing, Jackson pursued a path in business based on the influence of a teacher at Kalamazoo Central.

“Mr. Roy was one of my favorite teachers. He would bring industry professionals in to class to describe their day-to-day life in sales and business. Hearing their stories of how they got to where they were influenced my decision to pursue business.”

After 2 ½ years at Western, Jackson decided he wanted to take a break and explore some other interests.

In 2019, Jackson attended a job fair and learned about the different trade programs The Promise scholarship supports. The IT Professional Certification Program offered by the KTTP seemed like a path worth pursuing.

Jackson works as a Happiness Technician at Newmind Group.

“I went to a job fair, met with Sarah Klerk, and she told me about all the different training programs that The Promise was offering,” Bouie said. “With my background in helping my family, the IT Certification Program stood out to me the most.”

The training program gave Jackson the opportunity to see different ways that professionals in the IT industry work to provide solutions for all. It also provided the hands-on learning experience that he was looking for.

“During the program, we got to visit The Radisson, Newmind Group, and the Kalamazoo Public Library to see how their IT teams operate,” Bouie said. “In addition to the coursework, we learned how to disassemble and reassemble a desktop computer.”

After completing the program in spring of 2020, Jackson obtained an internship at Consumers Credit Union, serving as an IT Intern. There, he utilized his skills in IT to support internal staff members with their technology issues.

“Onboarding, setting up equipment for new employees, and traveling to multiple branches to solve problems and supply new equipment like monitors, mouses, and keyboards were just some of the things I would do.”

Jackson’s next step would be interning at the Kalamazoo Public Library.

“This role was more focused on supporting patrons. Helping them with computers, printing, and other tech issues.”

Jackson is now a Happiness Technician at Newmind Group. In this position, he works alongside engineers providing IT solutions for their clients.

Pictured from left to right: Luke Reynolds, Matt Vollmar, Jackson Bouie, and Ryan Russey.

Newmind Group provides IT services for small- and medium-sized businesses primarily in the Kalamazoo area, with a small contingent in Detroit. Their mission is to use technology to make work more productive, profitable, and fun for their clients.

“Newmind works with a variety of businesses, including local nonprofits, financial institutions, and manufacturing plants,” said Matt Vollmar, CEO of Newmind Group.

Like many other organizations, Newmind Group recognized the need for retaining IT professionals in the Kalamazoo community. In 2019, the KTTP was formed by the business community to identify and provide relevant alternative educational and nontraditional training to Kalamazoo Promise Scholars and Kalamazoo residents, with a focus on creating a more robust and diverse IT community.

Business partners of the KTTP include Newmind Group, Consumers Credit Union, Greenleaf Hospitality Group, Landscape Forms, Bronson Healthcare Group, Kalamazoo Public Library, and it is facilitated by The Kalamazoo Promise.

For Newmind Group, joining the KTTP was a solution to the lack of IT talent in Kalamazoo and their talent pool.

“We wanted to find a way to create pathways into IT and into our company,” said Luke Reynolds, COO of Newmind Group. “We would list new job positions and only receive 2-3 applicants. That isn’t sustainable for a growing company.”

Recognizing that there is a shift in the IT industry, Newmind understands that it takes a certain skill set to handle that transition. However, they are optimistic that the coursework provided through the IT Certification Program is preparing Scholars for the fast-paced world of IT.

“We’re almost all the way into what I would consider the ‘cloud world’ of computing, but there is a lot of technology that bridges those two worlds,” Reynolds said. “What we need is people that can navigate where that transition is and understand what the business needs are to stay ahead of the curve.”

The KTTP has now graduated two cohorts of the program. Newmind Group has hired two graduates, which has served a great benefit to the company.

“We’re happy with the results of the program and it’s beyond what I expected within a short time,” Vollmar said. “Bringing Jackson and his experience on to our staff has been a big success for our leadership team.”

For Jackson, working at Newmind has provided many benefits such as learning on the job, gaining new knowledge on IT, and working with like-minded individuals.

“Learning on the job has been invaluable. Everyone helps me out when they can and they provide me tips to do my job better.”

Jackson’s favorite part of the job is getting the opportunity to help others.

“Seeing people who have issues with IT and helping them feel better about their technology and work is what I love to do!”

As Newmind continues to expand, they are reminded every day that they serve a greater purpose than just solving their clients IT needs.

“One of the things we appreciate about the way The Promise and our company works is that we’re community-focused,” Vollmar said. “We don’t do this work just because we like computers. We do this work because we want to see people thrive and flourish in the community.”

Jackson says that The Promise gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion in IT and take him to places he didn’t think were possible.

“The Promise has been life-changing,” Bouie said. “The ability to take classes at no cost and not coming from a wealthy background has been invaluable.” 

For those looking to pursue the KTTP and a potential career in IT, Jackson encourages them to never give up and to stay the course.

“Simply put, be disciplined and see it through.”