Dedicated to Technical Excellence Since 2018
From our humble beginnings as a local bootcamp to a global leader in technical education, our mission has remained the same: to empower individuals through practical, industry-aligned learning.
The Journey of NextTech Academy
Founded in 2018 in the heart of Austin's Silicon Hills, NextTech Academy began as a small coding bootcamp for local veterans. Our founder, Dr. Marcus Sterling, recognized a significant gap between traditional academic computer science degrees and the practical, rapidly evolving skills required by the modern tech industry. With a handful of dedicated instructors and a small classroom on Congress Avenue, we set out to change how technology is taught.
By 2020, as the demand for remote technical talent surged, we expanded our offerings into cloud architecture and data science, securing partnerships with major Austin tech hubs. This expansion was not just in subject matter but in methodology. we introduced our "Circuit-Flow" learning model, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of different technology layers, from low-level infrastructure to high-level user interfaces.
In 2023, NextTech Academy was recognized with the 'Best Technical Curriculum' award by the Austin Tech Council. Today, we serve thousands of students globally through our hybrid learning model, bridging the gap between education and industry. Our growth has been fueled by a relentless commitment to curriculum evolution, ensuring that what we teach today is what the industry will require tomorrow.
Our Core Values
- Practical Mastery over Theory: We prioritize hands-on building and real-world deployment over abstract concepts. Every student leaves with a portfolio of live, functional applications.
- Inclusive Innovation: Technology should be accessible to everyone. We actively work to reduce barriers to entry through scholarships and community outreach programs.
- Continuous Curriculum Evolution: The tech landscape changes weekly. Our curriculum is reviewed and updated quarterly by our Head of Curriculum and industry partners.
Our Mission
To provide high-impact, industry-aligned technical education that empowers individuals to master the complexities of the modern digital landscape. We believe that by fostering a community of lifelong learners and problem solvers, we can architect a more innovative and inclusive future.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Our instructors and directors are seasoned professionals with decades of combined experience at the world's leading technology companies.
Dr. Marcus Sterling
Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Marcus Sterling is a visionary educator and technologist with over 20 years of experience in both academia and the private sector. Before founding NextTech Academy, he served as a professor of Computer Science at UT Austin, where he specialized in distributed systems. His passion for practical education led him to create NextTech, where he now focuses on strategic growth and industry partnerships to ensure our graduates remain the most sought-after talent in the market.
Sarah Chen
Head of Curriculum
A former Senior Software Engineer at Google with 12 years of experience in distributed systems and high-scale infrastructure. Sarah designs our project-based learning tracks to mirror real-world engineering challenges. She ensures that every lesson plan is grounded in industry best practices and that our students are learning the most relevant tools and methodologies used in top-tier engineering teams today.
Jameson Holt
Lead Cybersecurity Instructor
Jameson is a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) with a background in federal defense contracting and private sector penetration testing. At NextTech, he leads the Cyber Defense track, specializing in secure architecture design and threat mitigation. His teaching style is defined by intense, real-world simulations that prepare students for the high-pressure environment of security operations centers.
Elena Rodriguez
Director of Student Career Services
With a decade in technical recruiting for Fortune 500 companies, Elena has an unparalleled understanding of what hiring managers are looking for. She has successfully placed over 500 NextTech graduates into high-impact roles through her extensive industry network. Elena provides the critical link between technical training and professional employment, offering 1-on-1 mentorship on resume building and career pathing.
Visit Our Austin Campus
Located in the heart of downtown, our facility is designed to foster collaboration and innovation. From our high-speed hardware labs to our open-plan coding lounges, every square foot of NextTech Academy is built for learners.
Schedule a Campus Tour