Moi Padilla receives Inspiration Award



Moi Padilla receives Inspiration Award

17 Apr 2020    

Each year, the Department of Educational Administration names a current student as the recipient of our Inspiration Award. This year, the department has named Moises “Moi” Padilla as the Inspiration Award recipient.  

The Inspiration Award is given to a student in an Educational Administration program to recognize them for their inspiring academic contributions, intellectual curiosity, and scholarly achievements that inspire students, staff, and faculty.

“Moi is a prime example of our students’ commitment to making a difference,” said Nick Pace, chair of the department. “We’re so pleased to recognize his leadership with this year’s Inspiration Award.”

Padilla is currently a doctoral student in the department and is the director of the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy.  

As director of NCPA, he oversees the daily operations and the development, implementation, and assessment of a plan that supports the academic and social success of students. 

“It is humbling to be the leader of a program that has the opportunity to directly impact the lives of so many students and their families,” Padilla said. 

Dr. Corey Rumann, an assistant professor of practice and a co-chair of the award selection committee said he was impressed by both his professional and academic work. Yet, what he was most impressed by was Padilla’s care and commitment to the students he works with every day. 

“Moi genuinely cares about the influence he has on others and making the higher education system a more equitable and inclusive space for all students and higher education professionals,” Rumann said. 

Padilla is also committed to his academic excellence and scholarly work. His contributions revolve around Latina/o/x college student transitions, particularly in the Midwest.

“I am concerned with understanding and documenting the cultural strengths, assets, and knowledge that students bring to bear on their college-going process,” Padilla said. 

Born in Mexico, Padilla immigrated to Texas when he was only five years old and then later moved to Lexington, Nebraska. He earned his Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration from UNL and his Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. 

Now, as a doctoral student, Padilla is working towards his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Higher Education. 

“Moi is a role model whose actions speak louder than his words and he is an inspiration to everyone he interacts within many different capacities,” Ruman said. 

For him, this award is very validating he said. 

“Who would have thought that a kid from Mexico, who learned to speak English in Texas and graduated from high school in Nebraska, would be where I am today.” 


Educational Administration