AIM Institute’s Infotec 2025 conference was a great success! Close to 300 people, joined by representatives from over 20 companies and small businesses, attended the event at the Kiewit Luminarium on Omaha’s riverfront.
Infotec bridges the gap between business and technology leaders. Participants had positive responses about the speakers and sessions, which covered a range of topics including AI automation, emerging technologies, cyber security and risk management, workforce development and data and business analysis.
AIM’s events connect the region’s technology professionals for networking, workshops and continued education. Save the date for AIM’s Heartland Developers Conference (HDC), a mainstay in the Silicon Prairie developer community for more than 15 years. HDC is September 30-October 1, 2025, at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. For two days, experts share the latest knowledge, demonstrate new techniques and build understanding.
Graduates from AIM Institute’s Open Door Mission Digital Skills for Career Advancement Course
In late April, AIM Institute’s Tech Access program honored the achievements of students from its Open Door Mission Digital Skills for Career Advancement course, where students learn relevant, modern skills useful to adapt to today’s workforce.
Additionally, AIM Code School, accredited by the State of Nebraska Dept of Education, graduated its Winter 2025 Foundations of Web Development and Foundations of Technology cohorts, where students gain real-world, hands-on programming skills to take the next step in their respective career fields.
AIM’s technical training programs are more than just classes, they are catalysts for transformation. Each course opens doors to new possibilities and brighter futures. We’re proud to support and celebrate our students as they take the next step in their career journeys. Congratulations to all our graduates!
AIM President and CEO Dala Alphonso and MacKenzie Broderick, AIM Director of Outreach, help students at the AIM Educational Opportunity Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. work on the college application process.
The AIM Institute would like to thank the Oregon Trail Community Foundation, which awarded AIM with a $4,000 grant. The funding will be utilized to purchase iPads and laptops for student use at the AIM Educational Opportunity Center in Scottsbluff, Neb., as well as a charging cart and cabinet to secure this necessary equipment.
The AIM Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is the only resource in western Nebraska dedicated solely to assisting youth and families with the entire college application, financial aid and admissions process.
AIM’s EOC serves more than 1,000 individuals annually through one-on-one appointments, in-school presentations and small-group assistance. The program helps first-generation, under-resourced students apply to college and helps them understand the possibilities of a tech career offering high-wage, high-demand, high-skill (H3) technology careers.
Students at The Empire State Building, Thanks to AIM Institute’s TRIO Program
Upward Bound is part of AIM’s Youth Academies, which offers life-changing, intensive learning experiences designed to help students reach their full personal, academic and professional potential. Upward Bound is a college preparatory program funded through TRIO and the Department of Education to prepare first-generation high school students for college.
Through Upward Bound, students from Bryan, Thomas Jefferson, Papillion LaVista South and Papillion LaVista Monarch High Schools visited New York City in April for a memorable trip across the city and a campus visit to Fordham University. This experience was transformative for the students.
During the trip, students toured iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Empire State Building. They also explored the Theatre District, Little Italy and Chinatown neighborhoods and attended a Broadway show. Beyond sightseeing, the journey fostered personal growth, boosted their confidence to travel independently and strengthened friendships among peers.
Naty Ledesma, AIM Upward Bound Site Coordinator for Thomas Jefferson High School, and Upward Bound Student Laisha Rascon Bencomo with her graduation certificate.
In May, the AIM Institute TRIO Upward Bound team proudly celebrated 42 graduating seniors alongside their families, bringing together over 130 attendees for a night of recognition, joy and inspiration!
These incredible students are part of AIM’s Youth Academies and represent the following area high schools: Omaha Bryan, Papillion LaVista South, Papillion LaVista Monarch and Thomas Jefferson. All of them will be attending college this fall—and 98% are first-generation college-bound students! The 42 graduating seniors have received over $3 million in total financial aid and scholarship offers, 12 students have received the Buffet Scholarship to attend a Nebraska university. This funding is critical to eliminating financial barriers for first-generation college-going students and helps limit the amount of debt they incur to attend college.
This year, we introduced a new honor: the TRIO Senior Leadership Award, recognizing students from each school for their outstanding leadership, community involvement, dedication, and compassion.
🏆 2025 TRIO Senior Leadership Award Recipients: Emely Gomez Jose, Tucker Reed, Adreana Logan, Kassandra Salas Perez
Congratulations, seniors, we can’t wait to see what you achieve next!
AIM is proud to have Bellevue University as a part of AIM’s Membership program.
Bellevue University is committed to delivering career-focused, affordable education with unmatched care and respect for every learner. Its mission reflects a deep dedication to student success, and its vision embraces the ever-evolving needs of the global workforce.
At Bellevue University, students are the heart of everything. Every degree earned represents a powerful individual who dared to dream big and take steps toward a brighter future. As a nonprofit, open-access university, Bellevue University is designed to support those dreams, helping students transform their passion into purpose.
The AIM membership is for organizations that want to hire new tech talent, upskill their teams, help promote tech as a rewarding career path, and are passionate about leveraging tech for economic development. There are other promotional benefits for organizations that have an AIM membership. To learn more, contact Blaine Nelson, bnelson@nullaiminstitute.org.
