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Mavericks Shine at Inspire Awards

The Inspire Awards recognize women for their inspiring professional achievements and their dedication to making the Omaha community a great place to live and work.

  • published: 2023/11/02
  • contact: Bella Watson - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
From left: Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, Yajaria Gonzalez, Ferial Pearson, Ph.D., and Monserrat Medina Hernandez.

From left: Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, Yajaria Gonzalez, Ferial Pearson, Ph.D., and Monserrat Medina Hernandez.

On Nov. 1, the Omaha World-Herald teamed up with the community to shine a spotlight on 10 remarkable women right here in the metro area. The Inspire Awards, sponsored by Union Bank and Trust, are dedicated to applauding the exceptional women of Omaha who have not just excelled as leaders but have become the embodiment of what it means to be an awe-inspiring role model. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) had multiple finalists for the awards.

Dreamer’s Pathway Scholars Program Coordinator and Staff Advisory Council (SAC) member, Yajaria Gonzalez, was awarded the Emerging Young Leader award. The Emerging Young Leader award recognizes a young woman under the age of 30 who has contributed exceptionally to various girls’ groups, philanthropy, and local non-profits.

Monserrat Medina Hernandez, a student in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences studying Secondary Education, was awarded the Inspire Scholarship. After graduating from UNO, she plans to teach Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to high school students. The award recognizes an Omaha area student who contributes to their community, excels in the classroom, and has strong career aspirations.

UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, was a finalist for the Excellence in Education Award and the Woman of the Year award. This Excellence in Education award is given to an Omaha metro-area female educator or administrator who has made a difference in the lives of other women or girls. She contributes to the local community and nonprofits, encourages colleagues, and shares her skills for the benefit of others. The Woman of the Year Award is given to a woman who exemplifies aspects from each category and excels in demonstrating the main values of the Inspire Awards.

Ferial Pearson, Ph.D., an assistant professor of teacher education, was a finalist for the prestigious Excellence in Education Award. This award honors an educator or administrator who has made an impact on the lives of other young women or girls, and who has contributed to the betterment of the community.

A total of five finalists were chosen for each of the ten categories, all of which are centered around recognizing women for their inspiring professional achievements and their dedication to making the Omaha community a great place to live and work. Nominations were sent in via the public, and finalists were chosen by the Inspire Advisory Board.