AIM Institute teamed with Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Council Bluffs, Iowa to host an Hour of Code event Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the school for close to 900 students. Computer coding-related activities sparking creativity and problem-solving skills taught at the event will help introduce students to a rewarding tech career.
Hour of Code is the largest educational global movement introducing tens of millions of students worldwide to coding opportunities with AI and non-AI components. This event inspires kids to learn more, break stereotypes and leaves them feeling empowered towards tech. This year, the free Hour of Code platform is offering hundreds of one-hour coding activities for students featuring pop culture topics such as Minecraft.
This Hour of Code event is the result of a collaboration between the Council Bluffs Community School District and AIM Institute. Both organizations are committed to building a strong and diverse tech community through education and career development. Events like Hour of Code are among the youths’ first step into opening the door to the possibilities of their potential in tech.
Thanks to AIM’s partnership with Council Bluffs Community School District, the national Hour of Code program at Woodrow Wilson Middle School was a great success!
AIM representatives at Wilson Middle School are from left Staci Wise, Charles Kaup, Sarah Berkebile, Jayme Busch, Dala Alphonso, Monika Philp, Jessie Rowe and Isaac Piper.
On Friday December 6, over 100 Omaha-area high school students part of AIM’s Youth
Academy Upward Bound and Talent Search programs gathered at the Ashton at Millwork Commons for a
day of college and career exploration at the AIM Academies Winter College and Career
Fair.
At the fair, students received free refurbished Chromebooks generously donated by
AT&T and Human I-T. The AIM Institute sincerely thanks AT&T for its partnership in
working together to help youth and adults bridge the digital divide to support academic
and career success.
AIM’s Charles Kaup (left) with AT&T’s Christian Karch, who announces the laptop donation to
the students.
The students who participated are part of AIM’s Youth Academy, which has a partnership
with Upward Bound and Talent Search to serve first-generation/under-resourced youth
headed for college. The students were from Benson High School, Bryan High School,
Papillion La Vista High School, Papillion La Vista South High School, and Thomas
Jefferson High School. Students also had the opportunity to meet with representatives
from colleges and universities, explore career paths and build connections that will help
pursue their futures in post-secondary education.
The AIM Emerging Tech Leaders Academy helps IT talent discern whether they want
to continue as a tech worker or head down an IT management track. The program also develops knowledge and leadership skills to assist the individuals on their chosen career path.
On November 21, our fall cohort held its graduation ceremony. We wish each individual well on their tech journey! Ready to take your leadership to the next level? The next cohort begins this Spring! Don’t miss your chance to grow, connect, and lead with confidence. Sign up here to secure your spot.
Dec. 2, 2024–Dala Alphonso, a technologist and executive with over 25 years of experience, has been named President and CEO of AIM Institute.
Alphonso has served as the Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President, Energy Integration at Greysoft Technologies for the past two years. Alphonso developed technology roadmaps, governance, and policies to transform energy, finance, and intergovernmental agencies. He led strategy, consultation, and IT services to optimize digital and human capital investments in the organization’s ongoing projects.
“We welcome Dala Alphonso to the AIM Institute. Dala’s extensive background in technology and leadership roles in IT services positions him well to take AIM to the next level in building the tech talent pipeline in our region. He has creative ideas to continue to help deliver the array of AIM programs and services that help individuals from all walks of life connect with tech or improve their technological expertise,” said AIM Institute of Board of Directors Chair Ashok Fichadia.
“I am excited to be part of the AIM Institute and contribute to expanding the tech talent pipeline in our region. I wholeheartedly support AIM’s mission to cultivate a robust and diverse tech community, as I am dedicated to fostering the development of the people in my network and beyond,” Alphonso stated. “I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the AIM team and stakeholders to promote AIM’s objectives, which focus on effectively linking individuals with technology to enhance their personal and professional growth while bolstering our tech resources in the region.”
Prior to Greysoft Technologies, Alphonso served as Vice President of Information Technology and Interim Chief Technology Officer for Prodigy in Salt Lake City, Utah; Director of IT, Application Delivery at Omaha Public Power District; and Director of IT and Human Resources Information Systems with Datraserve.
In his recent positions, Alphonso has spearheaded impactful initiatives and achieved notable results in cybersecurity excellence, enhancements to IT infrastructure, leadership in digital transformation, cost optimization, vendor management, and global collaboration.
Alphonso holds a Master of Science in Management from Bellevue University and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University.
Join us today on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3! Consider investing in our efforts at the AIM
Institute to grow a strong and diverse tech community through education, career
development and outreach. Join in through our page on Share Omaha and Share Iowa.
Donations will go toward supporting individuals interested in tech, including under-
resourced youth and adults. Through an array of programs, AIM provides tech
education, community connections, and personal development. There are so many
different types of tech careers, and they are needed by organizations in our region. Help
provide people with the tools to enjoy a rewarding career in technology.
Visit our ShareOmaha and ShareIowa profile or our GiveButter profile.
