TechFluent Academy

Day in a Life Panel, Moderated by Carol Smock
2025-07-09 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Day in the Life Panel
Moderated by Carol Smock
Executive Director, TechFluent Academy
In this session, you will meet several professionals with varying types of careers in the Microsoft Industry. They will share how they achieved their careers, what they “do in a typical day” and field questions from you, the Learners, until you are comfortable that you understand the journey you are embarking upon.

Kenan Al. Mahayni, Solutions Engineer at Microsoft | AI ERP
Scott LeFante, Portfolio Partner at congruentX
Tahani Abu-Shamala, Manager at RSM US LLP
Henry Lin, Senior Consultant at Slalom
Jonathan Monson, OCM Professional
Sheila Flikeid, OCM Professional (transitioned from CE / Power Platform)

Learner Mindset, with Julie Jared, DAC, PMP, PMI-ACP, DASSM
2025-07-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Learner Mindset
with Julie Jared, DAC, PMP, PMI-ACP, DASSM
IT Project Manager at The Vomela Companies
In this course, you will be exposed to what it takes to move forward with a true Learner Mindset. Upon completing the course you will be able to define and exhibit Growth Mindset attributes at work and at home, like open mindedness and agility of thought. You will be able to identify the four key components of effective feedback. And, you will be able to construct a data and impact focused statement of feed back in a way that positively promotes growth and improvement with your peers, subordinates and superiors.
This content developed by Lindsay Millett-Glass of Stoneridge Software and Elizabeth Fleming,PsyD of Apidae Consulting

Kick Off and Trainer Meet & Greet
2025-07-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Kick Off / Trainer Meet & Greet
Objectives:
The Importance of Networking
Meet the Trainers
Network with Colleagues

Welcome / Cohort Launch - 2025 MN In-Person Dual Certification
2025-07-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55409, United States
Powering Minnesota’s Diverse Tech Workforce
TechFluent scales industry-leading technology training, mentorship and employment programs to offer in-person services to 40 individuals in Minnesota. Focused on the Minneapolis region as well as under- represented groups across the State of Minnesota, also described as adults in underserved communities who are eligible to work in the United States, 18 years of age or older at the time of enrollment who are not enrolled in any K-12 school, who are seeking employment, and are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or who are an individual of color, or who are a woman.
At TechFluent we believe everyone should benefit from Work Readiness, Credentialed Training. It is our mission to remove barriers that prevent our fellow citizens from participating in the data-tech economy. We deliver comprehensive, comprehensible training that does not assume prior technical competencies. We believe that anyone can master the required skills, regardless of age, cultural background, or prior work experience.
Thus far, our Program Participants have enrolled as Learners with at least some college or work experience in their background, rather than students fresh out of high school. This isn’t to say that a recent high school graduate cannot be successful in our Program, we simply do not have Key Performance Indicators to inform that result. Our program, to date, has trained 200 participants in a variety of products that are part of the Microsoft technological stack. Last year we placed 60% of our graduates in roles appropriate to the training we provided.
We specialize in the Microsoft technology stack and the focus of this program will be data analytics which includes Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform, with an emphasis on Power BI.

Credentials to be awarded
PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals
MB-910 D365 CRM Fundamentals
PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant
PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst

Approaches to Learning
TechFluent has curated a curriculum offering courses through every method of teaching style – self-paced, live and live-virtual, all supported by an on-site Program Manager providing technical support and facilitating Trainer Assistant collaboration as needed.
Self-Paced Classes through LinkedIn Learning
Our partnership with LinkedIn Learning offers comprehensive self-paced learning paths, utilizing their extensive library of online courses. This collaboration enriches our participants’ learning journey by providing access to high-quality educational content that aligns with industry standards and emerging trends. Each learner will receive a license and be required to complete the specified courses listed below. Additionally, the full LinkedIn Learning catalog will be available to them throughout the duration of the program, ensuring they have access to a wide range of resources to support their learning and professional development.
Live and Live-Virtual Classes through TechFluent Volunteer Program
Live and Live-Virtual trainers are provided through our extensive partnership with Microsoft Industry Consulting Partners and MVPs. Most are generously donating their time and expertise to deliver material they have developed and refined throughout their career, or which has been donated to TechFluent by a Leading Educator in the Industry. Occasionally, we may need to compensate a Trainer to guarantee a date, and in these cases, these Professionals are often receiving an honorarium well below their standard consulting rate.
Program Manager On-Site
To augment the self-paced learning portion of the Curriculum we will staff a Program Manager on-site and in the room with the Participants throughout the entire Program. This Program Manager will be able to answer some technical questions, but more importantly, will facilitate the Trainer Assistants and Office Hours Support Volunteers providing virtual technical collaboration with the Participants to ensure fluid and full support. When a live trainer is not present, this on-line accessibility will not stifle learning.
Agenda:
Meet the Board President
Meet the Executive Director
Meet our Cohort Ambassadors
Hear from a Successful Graduate

CE / Power Platform Graduation Ceremony
2025-02-18 11:30 - 13:00 | TechFluent Academy Online, United States
Please consider supporting our Graduates by making a donation in their honor: https://techfluentacademy.org/donate/
Agenda:
Welcome & Introduction by Carol Smock, Acting Executive Director
Student Address by Li Angus
Message from Board of Directors Mike Hauck
Message from CE / Power Platform Track Leader Robert Pindar
Presentation of Graduates by Morayo Allibalogun
Inspirational Speech by Jason Wietharn
Closing Remarks by Carol Smock

Power BI Graduation Ceremony
2025-02-18 10:00 - 11:15 | TechFluent Academy Online, United States
Please consider supporting our Graduates by making a donation in their honor: https://techfluentacademy.org/donate/
Agenda:
Welcome & Introduction by Wilson Man & Mike Ford
Alumni Address by Maryam Umar
Message from Board of Directors Tayo Daniel
Message from Power BI Track Leader Jessica Jolly
Presentation of Graduates by Morayo Allibalogun, Program Manager
Inspirational Speech by Ben Vollmer
Closing Remarks by Carol Smock, Acting Executive Director

FSCM (Finance & Supply Chain Management) Graduation Ceremony
2025-02-03 11:00 - 12:00 | TechFluent Academy Online, United States
Please consider supporting our Graduates by making a donation in their honor: https://techfluentacademy.org/donate/
Agenda:
Welcome & Introduction by Carol Smock, Acting Executive Director TechFluent Academy
Student Address by Zanjbeel Rana, Krishnapriya Varma, Dimitri Coulibaly
Message from Board of Directors Lucas Diaz
Message from FSCM Track Leader Bobby Small
Presentation of Graduates by Morayo Allibalogun, Program Manager
ERP, an Unexpected Career by Brion Reusche, Board Member and Sr. Director, Microsoft
Closing Remarks by Carol Smock
