Health Education Coordinator, Division of Counseling and Health Care, UNK

The Board of Regents is pleased to recognize Ismael Torres, Health Education Coordinator in the Division of Counseling and Health Care, for outstanding work on behalf of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Understanding that both physical and mental health play major roles in students’ success, he promotes UNK’s health education services through programs, presentations, and publications. He is also a successful grant writer and, as advisor of the Peer Health Education Program, he supervises and trains student volunteers to better educate all students on how to make wise choices. He takes a broad approach to his campus responsibilities through visible and active involvement in community- and county-wide health initiatives, most specifically with issues relating to alcohol and tobacco. An accomplishment in which Ismael takes particular pride is his receipt of a federal 3-year, $250,000 suicide prevention grant.

Ismael’s colleagues admire his energy and intensity, his refreshingly positive attitude and his approachability. Director of Counseling and Health Care LeAnn Obrecht says: “Student development and programming do not happen in a vacuum. They require the influence of someone who is a catalyst, a mentor and a knowledgeable motivator. This is who Ismael is.” Dean for Student Affairs Joseph Oravecz comments, “His research and grant-writing abilities, coupled with his technical media production abilities, make him a ‘triple-threat’ in the area of cutting-edge student health education.”