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Patrick Luna, PhD student in CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development and senior instructor of clinical teaching for the College of Nursing at the Anschutz Medical Campus, is a proud Mexican American husband and father of four, who calls himself the “welcome wagon” for nursing students at CU Anschutz. He gets to see nursing students during their first clinical lab course, dressed in their scrubs, and sometimes a bit apprehensive. He is honored to impart knowledge around foundational theories, health assessment skills, and acute/complex patient care, while facilitating students’ growth throughout their degree program. The 2023 graduating class of nursing students nominated him for CU System’s President’s Excellence in Teaching Award 2023, which he proudly accepted from CU’s President Todd Saliman at Anschutz’s Spring graduation.

Luna’s first career as a helicopter-flying paramedic and firefighter in Texas laid a foundation in medical care, clinical skills and problem-solving that he has leveraged throughout his career. It inspired him to take a teaching position as a paramedic instructor at Houston Community College, followed by an emergency room nurse position at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, and then an ICU nurse position on the Anschutz medical campus at University of Colorado Hospital. Since 2019, he has worked as a full-time clinical faculty member in the College of Nursing, which he finds formative, interesting, and filled with social and emotional learning experiences. He invests in students’ personal development by facilitating two student groups at the School of Nursing: Future Voices – Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Legacy Fun Group. At night, he can be found earning the next degree, of which he holds many: a paramedic degree, a nursing degree, and a master’s degree in nursing education. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Education and Human Development with an emphasis on Leadership for Educational Organizations and is a proud member of SEHD’s Doctoral Students of Color group.

“Teaching is something I do naturally,” said Luna. “I want to impart what I know and what I have experienced to my students. I still look at the amazing people around CU and it's just an honor to be part of their lives. When I found out about the CU teaching award, I felt a range of emotions: humbled, validated by my students, excited to spend time with President Saliman, and motivated to continue with the journey of being a firm and caring motivator in classrooms and a strong voice for students in faculty circles.”

Luna chose the path of pursuing his PhD in education because he wants to become a leader who makes impactful decisions in academia and because one of his mentors, Dr. Susan Bonini, earned an EdD degree from CU Denver.

“When I started in the program and took my first class with Dr. Margarita Bianco, in Educational Foundations, I felt like I was in an exciting think tank surrounded by diverse administrators, teachers and higher ed professionals who hold unique perspectives,” said Luna. “Then, I started to learn about research from Dr. Nancy Leech, who is amazing. I started asking myself ‘since when did you become a stats person?’ And my main faculty advisor Dr. Julia Mahfouz describes to me through her actions what being a researcher is, through the multiple projects she participates in internationally and the way she trusts me to participate in her research. Dr. Robin Brandehoff has inspired me through her leadership of the Doctoral Students of Color group. It’s just an amazing experience. I can impact my students to succeed while providing them support directly from a leadership standpoint.”

“I tell people that I never thought I would be a person who likes school. I dropped out of high school. I hung drywall instead of graduating for a while. Now, I love education and enjoy every aspect of learning. My family is a big motivator for me. When I graduate, I am going to hang my PhD diploma right next to my GED diploma, and I am going to do it right in my office,” said Luna.

Luna encourages CU educators who wish to work at one CU campus and study at another. “We get to literally steal knowledge and best practices from y'all, and I appreciate it,” he said. “This type of educational experience encourages collaboration throughout the CU System, life-long learning, career development, and the mentality that we are all in this together.”