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TikTok Expert and Others Talked Tech at AIM TRIO Day

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 AIM team pictured here helped make the Trio event a great success.

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.

From left, Stephanie Velez, Dala Alphonso, Monika Philp, and Dmitriy Khots.

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 Code School Graduates Now Certified by Neb. Dept. of Education

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.

Over 100 Students Receive AT&T Laptops Through AIM’s Youth Academy

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.

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.

Invest in AIM Programs Through Giving Tuesday on December 3

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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.

AIM Institute Awarded $25,000 FNBO Impact Grant for Advanced Technical Training

We are excited to announce that AIM Institute received a $25,000 Impact Grant from
FNBO to support our Advanced Technical Training program in Douglas and
Pottawattamie counties.
Thank you to FNBO for this funding that will help us provide individuals with the
opportunity to complete courses in our Advanced Technical Training offerings. Our
Advanced Technical Training includes AIM’s Tech Navigator services, accredited AIM Code
School and Demystifying Tech Workshops. The support allows AIM Institute to
provide course participants with laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots and transportation passes.