The Department of Educational Administration in the College of Education and Human Sciences will recognize three outstanding individuals at the 2025 Impact and Inspiration Awards on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Wick Alumni Center. The annual event celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of the department’s students and alumni who make meaningful differences in educational leadership and beyond.
Dr. Harnoor S. Dhaliwal (‘23), Co-Executive Director for the Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Dr. Matthew Gotschall (‘03), CEO of Central Community College, are the 2025 recipients of the Impact Award. The Impact Award is presented annually to recognize distinguished EDAD alumni whose work creates lasting, transformative impact in their field, community, or organization.
Dhaliwal is honored for redefining the STEM education landscape at UNO, guiding the Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship Program into UNO’s most prestigious scholarship opportunity. He emphasizes whole-person learning, technical proficiency, creative problem-solving, and leadership development.
Gotschall is recognized for championing student success through initiatives in recruitment, retention, early college programs, and workforce-aligned curriculum. Under his leadership, Central Community College consistently ranks No. 1 among Nebraska community colleges in credential attainment.
“It is humbling to be recognized by peers who have accomplished so much and created impacts throughout their lifetimes,” Gotschall said. “Through this online program I was prepared to return to Nebraska to support students, faculty and communities in my home state. I have made lifelong friends, peers and mentors, and I continue to know as a graduate from EDAD I will have a solid background in leadership and student success.”
Osvaldo “Ozzy” Palma Vargas (‘25), career coach at UNL’s College of Business, is the recipient of the Inspiration Award. The award celebrates EDAD students who embody academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to building inclusive learning communities.
His research focused on culturally engaging cohort programs that support first-generation students, building on his experience with the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy.
“Going through and graduating from the EDAD program allowed me to gain a greater love for higher education, to challenge myself to grow and develop as a professional, and to become a better advocate for student voices on campus—all of which I have taken with me in my new career," Vargas said.
The Impact and Inspiration Awards serve as a touchstone for the EDAD community, reminding students, faculty, and alumni that educational leadership transforms lives not just in classrooms and institutions, but in communities across the state of Nebraska.
“These awards highlight how the work of our students and alumni is shaping education across Nebraska and beyond,” said Elvira Abrica, EDAD interim chair. “Harnoor Dhaliwal, Matthew Gotschall, and Ozzy Vargas demonstrate the profound impact the students of EDAD have across all contexts of education. Our students are trained to be scholar-practitioners and are prepared to lead and transform all educational organizations. We are so proud of our students and the myriad of ways in which they shape the future of education."
EDAD will celebrate the honorees on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Wick Alumni Center. Alumni and community members are invited to attend and can register here.
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