As a high school senior, Luis Sotelo was one of 250 high school students nationwide to be selected as a Coca-Cola Scholar out of 88,000 applicants. This has motivated him to share with high school students what it takes to succeed in the scholarship application process.

He is the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Doane University, where he leads a university division to advance educational access, equity, inclusion, and belonging. As an advocate for educational opportunities for all, at the age of 16, he co-founded an award-winning youth development nonprofit that trained youth leaders for nearly a decade to launch community initiatives across Nebraska. Luis has served as a high school English teacher, college advisor, university admission counselor, speech director, 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.

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, Nebraska CASA, and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-Lincoln. 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 is a graduate of Northwestern University's School of Communication and Center for Leadership. He’s a qualified Intercultural Development Inventory administrator, earned a leadership coaching certificate from the Center for Creative Leadership, and is a graduate of the New Leaders Council Fellowship. In 2015, he received the “Inspiration Award” from the Nebraska Latino American Commission for his work in Nebraska schools and communities.