Excellence in Education

Sponsored by: WINNER

Abby Fehr

Rose Hill Elementary, Principal Abby Fehr is the principal at Rose Hill Elementary. In her years in education, she has served children and families in various settings, including public schools and as a family teacher at Boys Town. Abby partners with staff , students and families to create a culture of joy, enthusiasm and hope. Through a hands-on leadership style, she immerses herself in all the moving pieces of a day in the life of an elementary school. Abby is a very humble and selfl ess leader. She is the fi rst to respond to a crisis or behavior problem with students. Her staff love and respect her because Abby is willing to go the extra mile, develop staff , support and care for her staff and to do everything in her power to make Rose Hill a great learning environment for all students. Abby has also worked hard to engage the Benson community by partnering with local artists to beautify her school and a mural was commissioned and fi nished this year on the playground wall. She also partnered with a local nonprofi t to create an expanded community/school garden. Abby and her husband, Rob, are parents to Caleb and Ellie.

Demetria Ballard • Omaha Public Schools — Counselor, McMillan Middle School Demetria Ballard founded a nonprofi t in 2014 called the Chrysalides Project that provided programming for over 150 girls in six years. The program delivers a curriculum which covers topics such as STD awareness, self esteem and confi dence, relationships, and taking care of the body. She was one of three TJ Maxx You Project’s Hero Women. She has also authored the Demi Nicole book series. She off ers one-on-one coaching through the D. Nicole Girls Academy nonprofi t organization.

Dr. Mary Hawkins

President, Bellevue University Dr. Mary Hawkins joined Bellevue University in 1995 as vice president for enrollment and outreach and was named the university’s fourth president in 2009. Since her arrival, Bellevue University has changed dramatically in enrollment, geographic reach, scope of programs and services, and in the strong national, international, corporate, and community partnerships it is developing. During her tenure, Bellevue University has experienced record enrollment growth and has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best institutions for working adults and military personnel. Dr. Hawkins is credited with establishing Bellevue University’s “Real Learning for Real Life” applied learning approach that helps undergraduate, graduate and doctoral-level students master indemand professional skills and knowledge.

Director of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, College of St. Mary Dr. Beth Merkel is a leadership professor who believes that love and compassion play as much of a role in leadership as do spreadsheets and process analyses. Dr. Merkel spent many years as a successful entrepreneur and training and development consultant before completely switching careers for new adventures in the world of higher education. She earned her doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is the director of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program at the College of Saint Mary.

Dr. Maryanne Stevens

President, College St. Mary Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, took the helm as president of College of Saint Mary in Omaha on June 1, 1996. College of Saint Mary is the region’s only college for women. Dr. Stevens serves on several community and national boards, including the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Educational Finance Authority, Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation, the TriFaith Initiative and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

CONGRATULATIONS!

TO OUR INSPIRE AWARD FINALISTS!

Vanessa Cruz

Junior, Psychology Major · Inspire Scholarship · Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM

President · Excellence in Education · · Woman of the Year · Dr. Beth Merkel

Director, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership · Excellence in Education ·

Ann and Lulu, you INSPIRE us every day!

Ann Lawless, Chief Program Officer, MSW Finalist, Public Service Inspire Award Lulu Rangel, Clinical Director, LICSW, LIMHP Finalist, Excellence in Healthcare Award and Woman of the Year

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