PI 515

08/24/2026

Meet our new Program Coordinator at Pi515: Taylor Raibikis! ✨

Taylor is a proud Iowan from Panora, and graduated from Buena Vista University with a Bachelors degree in K-12 Music Education.

Taylor's new role, she will support the consistent delivery of Pi515's high-quality programs, classes, and workshops to ensure success at every level, so students are prepared to thrive in the future!

"I am so excited to be a part of the Pi515 team! I believe that every student should be given the opportunity to get to do what they love and succeed, no matter their background. That is why Pi515 is so important: we are helping students find opportunities for their success."

A couple of fun facts about Taylor:
Taylor can play twelve different instruments! During her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping, and has been to 5 national parks and will be visiting 7 more next spring!

08/21/2026

Next up we are celebrating Xiomara Gomez-Salcedo!

Xiomara graduated from Lincoln High School and will be attending the University of Iowa this fall, where she plans to pursue a degree in Business.

Xiomara has been awarded the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Iowa Scholars Award, and the AIB College of Business Scholarship.

Throughout her time with Pi515, Xiomara has participated in the Career Accelerator Program, Tech Mentorship, Girl’s Entrepreneurship Incubator, and the Day of Innovation.

Pi515 has helped Xiomara come out of her shell while providing a strong foundation as she prepares to pursue higher education. Some of her favorite memories include meeting with Nancy and Carol and chatting with them in the office. They never fail to encourage her to reach out, get connected, and take advantage of new opportunities.

We are so proud of Xiomara and can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes next! Congratulations, Xiomara! 🎓💚

08/20/2026

Last Friday, Pi515 staff joined DMPS for their Back-to-School Celebration to kick-off another year of creating opportunities for students.

At Pi515, we help students build skills, explore careers, and gain real-world experience through programs like AI Navigator, Tech Mentorship, Career Accelerator, and Girls' Entrepreneurship Incubator.

We're looking forward to another year of helping Des Moines students learn, grow, and see what's possible.

08/19/2026

This summer, Rima Patel joined Pi515 with a goal: help turn a vision for AI education into something students could actually experience.

As a Future Leaders in Action (FLIA) fellow, Rima helped bring that vision to life through the launch of Pi515’s AI Navigator Program. Working alongside students, educators, schools, and Pi515 staff, she helped build curriculum and resources to help students better understand and navigate the world of AI.

For Rima, the experience reinforced something she believed is more important than ever: “It’s important that we learn to understand AI rather than avoid it, regardless of our personal views on it.”

Rima's favorite parts about working at Pi515 were working hands-on with students, realizing the importance of understanding an organization’s mission, and meeting our volunteers, Sweety and Arunima, who cooked and brought lunch for the Pi515 staff.

Now, Rima is heading back to the University of Iowa for her senior year, where she will finish both her degrees in Political Science and Ethics and Public Policy before pursuing law school.

As she works toward her goal of creating lasting positive change, she’ll carry out the lessons, experiences, and relationships from Pi515 with her and continue staying involved with Pi515, FLIA, and other nonprofits.

Rima, thank you for your hard work, curiosity, and dedication this summer. You have helped turn a vision into something students can experience. We’ll be cheering you on in what comes next! 💚

08/17/2026

✨Learn, build, and grow today! ✨

Career Accelerator Program registration is officially OPEN!
Explore careers, build digital skills, and grow confidence in interpersonal skills.

📅 October 5th – December 9th
🗓️Monday & Wednesdays | 3:45–5:00 PM
🎓 Earn 2 FREE DMACC college credits

Apply now! → https://ow.ly/QUh450ZABk3

08/14/2026

Help us celebrate Stephanie Smith as she begins her next chapter at Grand View University, where she'll pursue a degree in Information Technology!

Stephanie has been awarded the Ema Cardenas Scholarship, IMF Senior Scholarship, Dean Scholarship, GV Next Program, and Roots Program Scholarship through Grand View.

Over her six years with Pi515, Stephanie has participated in the Career Accelerator Program, Tech Mentorship, Girls’ Entrepreneurship Incubator, SMART Money, and SMART Cities. She has also interned for the Day of Innovation and serves on our Youth Advisory Board.

Stephanie joined Pi515 in middle school and continues to come back to meet new people, learn new skills, and explore careers in technology. One of her favorite Pi515 memories is cheering on her friends during the GEI pitch presentations at the Day of Innovation. 💙

We’re incredibly proud of all Stephanie has accomplished. Congratulations, Stephanie! 🎉

08/12/2026

🚀 Your future in tech starts here.

Calling all 9th-12 graders, Tech Mentorship registration is now OPEN! Explore technology, gain valuable skills, and turn your potential into possibilities.

📅 September 29, 2026 – March 11, 2027
🗓️Tuesdays & Thursdays | 3:45–5:00 PM
🎓 Earn 3 FREE DMACC college credits

Apply now! https://ow.ly/volg50Zz4ri

08/07/2026

07/31/2026

We're proud to recognize five Pi515 students who recently participated in the Legacy Project Career Ready Collective through the Greater Des Moines Partnership! 🎉

Congratulations to Stephanie Smith, Sara Samir, Megan Rus, Manjil Pokhrel, and Montserrat Lepe-Guerrero for taking part in this valuable career development opportunity.

The Career Ready Collective helps high school students build professional skills, grow their confidence, and explore future career pathways. We are so proud of our students for embracing this opportunity!

07/29/2026

Your voice matters and we want to hear it!

Pi515 is recruiting passionate high school students to join our Youth Advisory Board (YAB). This is your chance to develop leadership skills, connect with like-minded peers, and help shape programs that empower the next generation of innovators.

⭐️ Register now using this link https://ow.ly/UqNb50ZunUF