June 29, 2023
I am pleased to share that following a comprehensive national search, Dr. Moisés Padilla has been selected as the inaugural Executive Director of the CMU Rales Fellows Program effective July 17, 2023. The implementation of this new role comes after the exciting announcement of the Rales Foundation's generous commitment to launch this fellows program at CMU with the mission to broaden access to graduate STEM education.
As shared in the search announcement, the Executive Director will establish a team to bring this new program’s vision to fruition and provide ongoing overall strategic direction. Reporting directly to Vice Provost for Education Amy Burkert, Dr. Padilla will collaborate with leaders in the colleges and departments participating in the program and coordinate efforts to ensure successful outcomes for the program and its fellows. He will drive strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including corporate and recruiting partners such as the Ron Brown Scholar Program, as well as sustain our relationship with the Rales Foundation.
Prior to joining CMU, Dr. Padilla was the Director of the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), preparing first-generation, income-eligible students for postsecondary education and supporting their success in college. Also at UNL, he previously served as the Senior Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Associate Director of the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services, supporting first-generation students and students from historically marginalized backgrounds as they transitioned to college. He received his bachelor of science in business administration and his doctor of philosophy in educational leadership and higher education at UNL, as well as a master of science in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University. Dr. Padilla has a wealth of experience in higher education, having served as an adjunct faculty member and Residence Director at Colorado State University, where he oversaw programs and activities in support of the holistic undergraduate and graduate student experience. He has a deep understanding of the CMU Rales Fellows Program’s goals and needs, including the students it will serve, and the expertise required to launch a unique program like this one.
I extend my gratitude to the search advisory committee and its co-chairs, Matthew Johnson-Roberson, Director of the Robotics Institute and professor in the School of Computer Science, and Becky Culyba, Vice Provost for Operations and Strategic Initiatives, for leading a thorough search process. The committee, with support from executive search firm Spelman Johnson, gathered input from key stakeholders and played an active and inclusive role in identifying and evaluating quality candidates.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Padilla to CMU and congratulating him on his new position.
Sincerely,
Jim Garrett
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Moisés Padilla to serve as Executive Director of the CMU Rales Fellows Program
Dear Carnegie Mellon Faculty and Staff:I am pleased to share that following a comprehensive national search, Dr. Moisés Padilla has been selected as the inaugural Executive Director of the CMU Rales Fellows Program effective July 17, 2023. The implementation of this new role comes after the exciting announcement of the Rales Foundation's generous commitment to launch this fellows program at CMU with the mission to broaden access to graduate STEM education.
As shared in the search announcement, the Executive Director will establish a team to bring this new program’s vision to fruition and provide ongoing overall strategic direction. Reporting directly to Vice Provost for Education Amy Burkert, Dr. Padilla will collaborate with leaders in the colleges and departments participating in the program and coordinate efforts to ensure successful outcomes for the program and its fellows. He will drive strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including corporate and recruiting partners such as the Ron Brown Scholar Program, as well as sustain our relationship with the Rales Foundation.
Prior to joining CMU, Dr. Padilla was the Director of the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), preparing first-generation, income-eligible students for postsecondary education and supporting their success in college. Also at UNL, he previously served as the Senior Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Associate Director of the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services, supporting first-generation students and students from historically marginalized backgrounds as they transitioned to college. He received his bachelor of science in business administration and his doctor of philosophy in educational leadership and higher education at UNL, as well as a master of science in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University. Dr. Padilla has a wealth of experience in higher education, having served as an adjunct faculty member and Residence Director at Colorado State University, where he oversaw programs and activities in support of the holistic undergraduate and graduate student experience. He has a deep understanding of the CMU Rales Fellows Program’s goals and needs, including the students it will serve, and the expertise required to launch a unique program like this one.
I extend my gratitude to the search advisory committee and its co-chairs, Matthew Johnson-Roberson, Director of the Robotics Institute and professor in the School of Computer Science, and Becky Culyba, Vice Provost for Operations and Strategic Initiatives, for leading a thorough search process. The committee, with support from executive search firm Spelman Johnson, gathered input from key stakeholders and played an active and inclusive role in identifying and evaluating quality candidates.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Padilla to CMU and congratulating him on his new position.
Sincerely,
Jim Garrett
Provost and Chief Academic Officer