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.
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.
