Last week, Lorie Cook-Benjamin introduced our newest Rotarian, Luis Sotelo. Luis is a teacher at heart and a champion of human potential. He is the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Doane University, where he leads a university division to advance educational access, equity, and inclusion. As an advocate for educational opportunities for all, at the age of 16, he co-founded a youth development nonprofit that trained youth leaders to launch community initiatives across Nebraska. Luis has served as a high school teacher, speech director, university admission counselor, college advisor, consultant to state departments of education, and guest speaker on educational issues at state and national forums, including those hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. Welcome to Rotary, Luis! and thank you, Lorie!
Luis Sotelo with his sponsor Lorie Cook-Benjamin and President Christina Usher
Luis’ commitment to public service inspired him to run for Nebraska’s State Senate in rural legislative district 36 in 2014. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Crete Chamber of Commerce, Blue Valley Community Action Partnership, and Nebraska CASA. Previously, he was the Vice President of the Lexington Public Library Board of Trustees and a member of the executive team of the ACLU of Nebraska Board of Directors.
Luis has been a spokesperson on immigrant and Latinx issues on the pages of USA Today and has been quoted in regional and national media outlets including Noticieros Televisa, Fox News Latino, and Telemundo.
Luis is a Coca-Cola Scholar and a graduate of Northwestern University's School of Communication and Center for Leadership. He’s a qualified Intercultural Development Inventory administrator and earned a leadership coaching certificate from the Center for Creative Leadership. In 2015, he received the “Inspiration Award” from the Nebraska Latino American Commission for his work in Nebraska schools and communities.
