University Partners with AIM Institute for Summer Academy
In partnership with the AIM Institute, the University's College of Science and Technology hosted a summer academy for area high school students, sparking their interest in technology career fields. Thirty students came together in mid-June to create a YouTube video series that features interviews with technology professionals.
The students worked with University faculty and the University's Center for Learning Innovation to research career fields, create interview questions, conduct the interviews, and produce the videos. Among those interviewed were local business leaders Joe Olsen of Phenomblue, Chris Russell of Google, Andy Peters of Ninth Division, Tracy Kempkes of Gordmans, and Charlie Colon of Gallup.
"There was an incredible amount of collaboration among the students, faculty and staff. Everyone worked very hard to produce the videos in such a short time," said Mary Dobransky, Dean of the College of Information Technology. "It was great to see the students take ownership of the project."
Bellevue University faculty members Phil Fitzpatrick, Bob Hankin, and Charlie Collins helped run the academy, while administrative assistant Jane Hindman served as project coordinator.
The students attend high schools in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Papillion/La Vista in Nebraska. Some of the students are in AIM's College Bound Club, which is geared toward students who will be the first in their families to attend college. Others are participants in AIM's College Access Program, which helps prepare students who might not otherwise go to college.
"I hope they get a good feeling about team work and working within the strengths that the group develops," said Fitzpatrick, "They really had a fantastic work ethic to get jobs done with the team they were given."
The students premiered the videos during a June 16 event in the humanities auditorium.
"It was amazing to see what they had accomplished in four days," Dobransky said.
