Melissa Zeiszler, the Dean of Steam at Kennedy Elementary School, helping students with Maker’s Market creations.
The Kennedy Maker’s Market, hosted at Kennedy Elementary School on March 12, provided students with hands-on entrepreneurial experience, combining creativity with academic skills for real-world applications with AIM’s assistance.
AIM played a key role in guiding students through the process—helping them choose company names, design logos and create promotional posters with pricing guides. The team also provided technical support for a standout project: a student-run custom ringtone business, ensuring seamless product delivery.
“One of the student teams wanted to make and sell custom ringtones. This innovative idea gave us the chance to shine. Getting the ringtones from the app they were created in and delivered to the customer was a complicated situation, but the expertise of AIM staff provided the technical support necessary to build a system so the kids could deliver their product,” said Isaac Piper, AIM Director of Innovation Programs.
AIM staff was involved in helping supervise groups of students as they were making, labelling, and packaging their products.
This year the students surpassed last year’s totals, and over half the businesses sold out of their products, contributing to a highly successful fundraising event that supports student activities. The market’s success highlights the impact of hands-on learning and AIM’s ongoing support for Omaha-area youth.
Participating in the inaugural Women In Tech Summit are AIM Institute’s Monika Philp and Executive Director of Nebraska Tech Collaborative – Shonna Dorsey, and Summit Attendees.
On March 7, AIM was a partner and in-kind sponsor at the Inaugural 2025 Nebraska Women In Tech Summit, an event spotlighting technological achievements from women in Nebraska. The daylong event featured networking sessions, a community resource fair and panel discussions designed to foster collaboration and innovation across the state’s tech community.
Dala Alphonso, President and CEO of AIM, presented the Tech Mentor of the Year award to Dr. Yuliya Lierler, a computer science professor at UNO, recognizing her outstanding contributions to mentorship in tech. Additionally, Brett Berkebile, Director of AIM Code School and Technical Training, represented AIM with a dedicated Code School presentation booth, engaging attendees and sharing insights about our programs.
We’re honored to support and celebrate the incredible women shaping the future of technology!
AIM Institute hosted a TRIO Day recognition event for Omaha-area high school students that AIM serves, on Friday, March 14 at the Kiewit Luminarium.
The event commemorated National TRIO Day, a day that allows students who benefit from the TRIO programs to be inspired and give back to their local community through acts of service.
The students selected the topics they wanted to learn about. Keynote speaker, nationally known TikTok content creator, Bryan Hicks, discussed technology and gadgets. His “BryanTechTips” has over 100,000 followers on TikTok. Dr. Ben Petersen also spoke during the keynote. Petersen is a popular content creator and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Certified Nutritionist based in Lincoln.
AI is everywhere and a panel of experts unpacked what Artificial Intelligence is all about for the students. The panel included AIM’s President and CEO Dala Alphonso. Other panelists were Dmitriy Khots, VP, Data Analytics at Boys Town where he oversees the AI/ML/BI practice, innovation and transactional fundraising, and Stephanie Velez, a dynamic professional with a strong foundation in healthcare, technology and artificial intelligence.
Students participated in a volunteer activity for Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, received a tour of the Luminarium and enjoyed hearing the different speakers.
AIM Institute’s Infotec is back—reimagined and reconfigured to help business and nonprofit professionals apply today’s rapidly changing technology to make their organizations more relevant, efficient and successful. The day-long conference is May 5 at the Kiewit Luminarium on Omaha’s riverfront. The theme, “Harnessing Technology for Business Growth & Innovation” underscores how technology is changing the way we do business and live. As Silicon Prairie’s premier business tech conference, Infotec will help people better understand new tech innovations to drive results in their businesses and nonprofits.
For over 30 years, AIM has been shaping the Midwest’s tech landscape. Infotec 2025 will bring together visionary leaders, leading startups and top industry experts in AI, automation, cybersecurity and business innovation.
In today’s evolving tech landscape, the difference between leaders and followers is knowledge. Infotec 2025 will give you access to the insights, tools and networks you need to lead the future.
Who Should Attend?
Business & Technology Professionals: Gain insights into how technology is shaping industries and how to leverage it for innovation and growth.
Entrepreneurs & Startups: Learn how AI, automation and digital tools can streamline operations, attract customers and scale profitability.
Community & Government Leaders: Discover how technology drives economic development, workforce growth and policy innovation.
What To Expect at Infotec 2025:
AI & Automation – Explore the tech, shaping industries.
Cybersecurity & Risk Management – Protect digital assets & mitigate threats.
Data & Business Intelligence – Leverage analytics for smarter decision-making.
Tech Talent & Workforce Development – Attract, retain and upskill employees.
Emerging Technologies – Stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge innovations.
Get your tickets today, early bird pricing ends March 31
(Please note college students can register for free with a school email.)
AIM Institute receives 25+ Years Service Award from the Council Bluffs Area Chamber
of Commerce. At the ceremony, from left, AIM representatives Monika Philp, Jayme
Busch, Dala Alphonso, Jess Coffman, Charles Kaup and Erin Lasiter.
The AIM Institute was recently recognized for over 25 years of service by the Council
Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce for AIM’s programs serving Southwest Iowa. Here’s
a snapshot of some of the AIM initiatives in SW Iowa:
Events such as Hour of Code align with AIM’s Youth in Tech and Youth
Academies programs, which open the door to the possibilities of a student’s
potential in tech. Recently, AIM hosted an Hour of Code event at Woodrow
Wilson Middle School for close to 900 students. Computer coding-related
activities sparking creativity and problem-solving skills taught at the event helped
introduce students to a rewarding tech career.
AIM’s SWIFTT initiative or Southwest Iowa Free Technical Training, offers entry-
level and accelerated training programs for Iowans interested in a career in
technology. The program is generously fully funded by the Charles E. Lakin
Foundation, meaning that participants can register at no cost to themselves.
Through AIM’s partnership with the Council Bluffs Community School District,
about 25 Thomas Jefferson High School students recently received refurbished
Chromebook computers donated by AT&T and Human I-T. The students are part
of AIM’s TRIO program to prepare first generation, under-resourced high school
students for college.
