Built by Educators
Who Left Big Ed
We got tired of programs that measure success by enrollment numbers instead of job offers. So we built one that measures by outcomes.
Our Story
Ascend started in 2021 with a question: what if a vocational program was judged entirely by whether graduates got hired?
Our founder, Dr. James Okafor, spent 15 years in higher education and edtech. He watched programs charge $15,000 and graduate students who couldn't get past an initial phone screen. The curriculum was designed by committees, not by people who actually hire.
So we built Ascend differently. Every module is co-designed with employer partners. Every project uses real tools and real data. Every graduate gets lifetime career support — not just during the job search, but for every career move after.
Four years later, 2,400+ graduates are working at companies from HubSpot to local startups. Our placement rate hasn't dropped below 90% in any cohort.
Leadership
Former VP of Education at General Assembly. PhD in Adult Learning from MIT. Built programs that trained 10,000+ career changers.
12 years in tech education. Previously at Codecademy and Flatiron School. Obsessed with outcomes, not just completion rates.
Former tech recruiter at Google and Amazon. Knows exactly what hiring managers look for — and what they ignore.
Milestones
Founded in Cambridge, MA with a single Digital Marketing cohort of 12 students.
Launched Web Development and UX/UI tracks. First partnerships with Boston-area employers.
Reached 1,000 graduates. 94% job placement rate established. Opened evening/weekend formats.
Named "Best Bootcamp in New England" by SwitchUp. Employer network grows to 180+ companies.
Hybrid learning model launched. Income Share Agreement option introduced.