Two Former NYU Professors Started an Adult Education Company to Take on Higher Ed
Twin brothers Sergei and Vadim Revzin cofounded School16, an accelerated 8-week online certification program, to enable people to secure high-paying jobs in the tech sector without coding or computer science backgrounds. The brothers believe lucrative technology careers should be accessible to everyone regardless of experience or economic situation.
The Revzin Brothers Find Inspiration Early
The Revzin twins grew up in a household that set a high premium on education, since both parents worked in that field. Their mother served as vice-principal of a school in Eastern Europe and later taught English as a second language in America.
Their father, Dr. Samuel Revzin, was the founder and principal of an experimental school called School No. 16. Instead of imposing a rigid curriculum, this school allowed students to pursue studies based on their interests and talents. His school quickly established itself as one of the most innovative education programs in Europe, and the Revzin brothers attended first and second grade there.
“We had to be on our best behavior,” Sergei Revzin laughed, “but we were able to see our dad’s leadership style. He cared about students and made time for them every day.”
While watching their father, the Revzin brothers learned to think big and challenge the status quo. Dr. Samuel Revzin found a way to implement an innovative educational model amidst the constraints of the former Soviet Union.
“My brother and I took our father’s work for granted when we were boys, but we know now that what he did was incredibly difficult,” Vadim Revzin remembered. “We watched him bring creativity and change to an environment that was highly structured from the outside. It was his example that inspired us to revolutionize higher education.”
One other bit of wisdom their father instilled in them was to give their best effort in every job, no matter how little it seemed, because it was impossible to know where it might lead. Though the twins didn’t fully understand this advice, they put it into practice. After college, Sergei’s entry-level sales job was labor-intensive but later provided the marketing knowledge he needed to start a company. Sergei’s acting gig and Vadim’s role as a part-time musician just seemed fun at the time. In retrospect, these experiences developed the public-speaking skills the twins needed to become professors without doctorate degrees.
“Our Dad’s advice played out exactly the way he said it would,” said Sergei Revzin. “We share that lesson with our students at School16: Take everything you do seriously. You never know what it will mean for your future.”
The Revzin Twins Think Two Heads are Better than One
Sergei and Vadim Revzin can’t remember when they didn’t do everything together. When the brothers first came to the United States, teachers attempted to separate the twins, saying that each needed to find his own path.
Despite this advice, the brothers went to the same college, graduated with the same major, and started several companies together.
“I know some siblings don’t get along,” said Vadim, “but we’ve always had the same interests and ambitions. We have different personalities but the same goals. The differences we have complement each other to make our company a success.”
The brothers have jointly founded several entrepreneurial startups and also achieved the status of professors in higher education. Despite this, they see School16 as the most significant achievement to date in their collaborative career.
“School16 is a tribute to our father,” explained Sergei. “We both see it as the beginning of our life’s work. Our prior careers gave us the ability to understand the market and the credibility to build this program. We’ve boiled all our experience into one venture that brings us purpose.”
School16 Revolutionizes Higher Education
Even though neither brother has obtained a Ph.D. or even a Master’s degree, both are involved in higher education. Sergei served as a venture investor at the NYU Innovation Venture Fund, and Vadim taught business and entrepreneurship at New York University and the State University of New York.
“We were able to get our foot in the door at NYU because of our experience,” remarked Sergei.
“Today, people put a higher weight on your experience than your degree. We developed School16 to help people get the experience they need to enter the tech sector. We’ve made the transition into tech careers, and we’ve seen several of our friends do the same thing. We know what skills you need to succeed.”
The Revzins firmly believe real-world experience is the key to unlocking today’s technology careers. Each has successfully transitioned between roles in the tech industry several times based on previous employment.
“It would have been difficult to start School16 five years ago because the world wasn’t ready,” Sergei said. “Today, we finally understand the education system is not serving our needs. The next generation will have a different story than the one before us.”
Founding School16 and a New Model of Higher Education
The brothers had to overcome several hurdles to start School16. The most significant of these centered around credibility.
“Establishing ourselves in education was a challenge at first,” Vadim recalled, “but a steady stream of graduates thriving in successful careers proves that our program is working.”
School16 stands out from other tech certification programs thanks to the experience of its founders. Both brothers’ tech and education backgrounds have enabled them to design a top-notch program.
They also hire quality staff. All instructors are professionals currently working in the careers they train students to join. While enrolled, students develop the skills to make themselves attractive to tech employers. After graduation, they can continue to take advantage of the school’s mentorship and career development resources.
Perhaps the asset that truly sets School16 apart is the same element that propelled their father’s success. School16 prioritizes the interests and needs of students.
“Our competitors are falling into the pattern of many graduate programs. Students are forced to make financial decisions without context. They give up 10 to 15 percent of their incomes before knowing if they’ll even enjoy their chosen careers,” observed Sergei.
“At School16, we provide the context, exposure, and guidance that helps our students find a career path that makes sense, rather than doubling down on something they’re unsure about.”
