Dr. Graciela Berumen - embracing her heritage and her passion for equity in education have helped her plant educational seeds all over the world!

Dr. Graciela Berumen is the Assistant Director of Diversity and Multicultural Student Engagement for the department of Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs at Kansas State University.  Dr. Berumen's research interests include first-generation college students, global education, language acquisition, culture, equity, inclusivity, access, and identity in Education.Originally from California, her interests stem from her upbringing as well as her love for language, education and raising two bilingual sons. Graciela considers her work as an educator and as a board member for the Tonantzin Society, Harvesters, The YWCA and her membership in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as a way to give back to the community and encourage others, who like herself are proud children of immigrants, to embrace their heritage and pursue their academic dreams. Her passion for equity in education and her love for her students inspired the creation of her non-profit: BE F1RST,  a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to offering one-on-one support, mentoring and scholarships for first-generation students and families.The belief in the transformational power of conversations surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) also led to the creation of Becoming Equitable, LLC. Becoming Equitable offers onsite and virtual workshops, led by women of color who focus on facilitating discussions around DEIB in order to create more inclusive work environments.