Paving the way: Celebrating First-Generation K-Staters
K-State is a place for everyone, whether you come from a long legacy of Wildcats or
you’re discovering purple pride for the first time.
According to K-State’s Office of First-Generation Students, first-generation students make up more than 25% of the undergraduate population
at K-State and are defined as those whose parents or guardians have not earned a four-year
degree.
In honor of the national First-Generation College Celebration on Nov. 8, we asked
two K-Staters — Graciela Berumen ’14, ’17, ’21 and Marcos Mendez ’09, ’13 — to share
more about their own experiences as first-generation college students at K-State.
Graciela Berumen ’14, ’17, ’21
Assistant director of diversity and multicultural student engagement
K-State Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs
“Being first-generation means that despite the challenges, statistics and stereotypes
our love for education and hope for a better future has motivated us to pursue the
dream of obtaining a college degree.
“My parents, they came into this country without knowing the language, or having a
support system all because they wanted a better future for my siblings and I. They
both valued education and I feel like my degrees are a way to honor their sacrifice.
“Being first-generation has a lot of assets in terms of passion, determination, love
for education, along with many challenges in terms of navigating a space that was
not created with us in mind. I was lucky enough to find professors along the way who
went out of their way to guide me and because of them I finished. It’s easy to get
discouraged when you feel lost or that you do not belong.”
What advice do you have for current and future first-generation students?
“Despite the challenges, remember that there are offices full of people that want
to see you succeed. Use your resources — you are not alone and you belong here.”
Marcos Mendez ’09, ’13
Psychotherapist
Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
“I never reflected much on what it was for me to be a first-generation college student.
I think I valued higher education enough to pursue it and I had the implicit support
from my family. However, as I grew older, I began to hold space for the value of trade
work and what trade workers do. I went into the field of psychology because I wanted
answers. I consider myself curious and reflective.
“Learning was my favorite part of college. I found support from classmates and some
of the professors in the academic field. As an international student, International
Student and Scholar Services was often helpful in answering questions related to immigration,
and Lafene Health Center in the rare occasions I needed medical services. I also enjoyed
the Rec Center from time to time.”
What advice do you have for current and future first-generation students?
“Higher education requires quite a bit of responsivity, some demands and challenges.
I think it is very important to attend to these. However, the life of the majority
of university students is not just academics. It is important to learn to enjoy studying
as much as eating, exercising, resting, hobbies, social events, friends, family, intimate
relationships, nature, etc.”
If you need more resources for first-generation students, please visit the K-State First-Gen website. Want to share your own story? Submit your First-Gen K-Stater story here.