National Instructor Institute (NI2)
The Center of Excellence Within NPower
Founded in 2017, through funding from Fund II Foundation, the Institute is a center of excellence and innovation that leads the organization’s content development, curriculum design and integration and instructional talent cultivation.
Led by Robert Vaughn, CIO and Head of the Instructor Institute, the main goals of the Institute are to:
- Improve the quality and consistency of student outcomes through exceptional, best-in-class instruction
- Retain top tech talent by investing in professional development and continued skills growth
- Foster a trauma-informed, flexible teaching model
- Build a community of engaged and curious instructors who challenge and support one another
- License our proprietary curriculum to other IT workforce development programs
Led by Robert Vaughn
Chief Innovation Officer
Latifah Thomas
Assistant Technical Instructor
Alumni
Andrew Jung
IT Instructor – AWS Cloud
Alumni
Christopher Chan
Technical Instructor
Alumni
Joseph Rodriguez
Technical Instructor
Alumni
Delivering Excellence
Driving Future-Proof Skills
NI2 has a proven track record of training the digital skills demanded by the marketplace. The Tech Fundamentals coursework focuses on tech competencies with an introduction to the fundamentals of computer administration and support with an opportunity for CompTIA certifications, Google IT Support Certificates, and exposure to AI tools. Alumni of our programs are offered intermediate and advanced learning pathways including cybersecurity, cloud computing, app development and networking and systems administration.
Through our Instructor’s Institute, NPower creates breakthrough curricula informed by leading IT executives. We are constantly piloting more on-ramps and off-ramps for skills building and job placement for our trainees.
A Model for Fair Access in Tech
NI2 further extends NPower’s commitment to be the future of tech by bridging the IT workforce gap while mobilizing untapped talent to prosper from well-paying digital careers. Many of NPower’s instructors are alumni of our training programs, and therefore reflect the community of learners we serve.
NI2 plays a vital role in preparing untapped, non-traditional talent to unleash their greatest potential and fill today and tomorrow’s entry – mid-level IT positions, where there can thrive.
By equipping our students with the skills to succeed, we are fueling economic growth and creating lasting change—one career at a time.
of instructors are women
instructor body
of graduates received a professional IT certification in Google or CompTIA certification
of the instructors are alumni
12,000+
National Instructor Institute (NI2) Highlights
- Integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) exposure in every course offered
- Designed and launched the T.E.A.C.H. Model (new proprietary pedagogical approach to teaching)
- Implemented a 200-hour teacher development program: “The Art and Science of Teaching Tech” (new proprietary approach to teacher development)
- Developed NPower’s “Trauma Informed Care” curriculum and delivery model
- Launched NPower’s “Teaching Technical Skills for the Real-World” and “Teaching to Realities and Expectations” curriculum
