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.
AIM Institute President and CEO Dala Alphonso was featured on the front page of the
Jan. 31 Midlands Business Journal, highlighting his inspiring career journey and vision
for the future of AIM.
Dala’s vision for AIM focuses on strengthening the tech talent pipeline, increasing
accessibility to technology careers, and fostering innovation across Silicon Prairie. With
a passion for empowering individuals through education and workforce solutions, he
aims to build on AIM’s 32-year legacy while driving new initiatives that prepare
professionals and businesses for the evolving tech landscape.
Be sure to check out the Midlands Business Journal to read more about his journey and
aspirations for AIM: Dala Alphonso Leads from the Heart: Survivor, Seeker, Entrepreneur
Looks to Transform the AIM Institute | Featured | mbj.com
AIM Institute Former and Present CEOs Gather; from left, Dr. Kandace Miller, Dr. Bob
Sweeney, Dala Alphonso
The CEOs of AIM Institute’s past and present came together to celebrate the
organization’s legacy and future at a recent AIM Team meeting. Founding President and
CEO Dr. Bob Sweeney and former President and CEO Dr. Kandace Miller, joined newly
appointed President and CEO Dala Alphonso to reflect on AIM’s 32-year journey and its
transformative impact on workforce development in tech and education across Silicon
Prairie.
Dr. Sweeney took the helm in building AIM from 1992 to 2007. Dr. Miller, who joined
AIM in 1993 as a grant writer, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer; she succeeded
Dr. Sweeney as President and CEO from 2007 to 2022. Dr. Miller then became interim
CEO for part of 2024 prior to Dala Alphonso joining AIM in December 2024 as current
President and CEO.
Their discussion revisited AIM’s origins—how business leaders identified the need for a
stronger tech talent pipeline and how AIM responded with innovative workforce
solutions, recruitment strategies, and tech education initiatives. Under the leadership of
each CEO, AIM has evolved to meet the changing demands of our region’s business
community, ensuring that career changers, aspiring tech professionals and youth have
access to the training and opportunities needed to succeed and contribute to
organizations’ needs for tech-proficient employees.
The gathering underscored the continued importance of AIM’s mission and the
excitement surrounding its next chapter under Dala Alphonso’s leadership. With a
legacy of innovation and a future focused on expanding opportunities in tech, AIM
remains a driving force in building a skilled and diverse workforce.
AIM has helped provide certification to 18 adults who recently graduated from AIM Code
School’s Foundations of Web Development and Foundations of Tech courses, which are
accredited by the Nebraska Dept. of Education. The event highlighted the achievements
and milestones students made throughout the course. At the Jan. 8 graduation
ceremony, graduates also received free refurbished Chromebooks donated by AT&T
and Human I-T through AT&T’s partnership with the AIM Institute. Over the past several
months, over 100 youth and adults enrolled in AIM Institute programs received the free
laptops from AT&T as part of its ongoing AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help
address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption.
If you are interested in continuing your tech education, check out our Code School
programming at this link: https://aiminstitute.org/programs/technical-training/aim-code-
school/.
In the photo above, proud graduates receive their new AT&T Chromebooks, thanks to AT&T’s partnership with AIM. Also pictured are AIM representatives: course instructor Jorge Grimaldo (second from far right), AIM President and CEO Dala Alphonso (far right) and in the back, Brett Berkebile, Director of AIM Code School and Technical Training.
Dala Alphonso, President and CEO of AIM Institute, shared practical ways to use technology and AI to plan your year with intention on January 21 at the AI Omaha and Women in Technology of the Heartland ‘Leveraging AI for your Year’ event.
Dala shared simple time management tips to keep you on track; how AI can be your personal assistant; various ways to integrate tech tools into your daily routine and strategies for balancing your personal and professional goals.
