Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) has always been the tent-pole to our mission and vision of Saga Education. We aspire to remain at the cutting edge of educational innovation and impact. Meet our DEIB committee members and discover how they integrate DEIB into their personal lives and nurture a sense of belonging at all levels of our organization.
Adriana Colom Cruz (she/her/hers)
Researcher
What DEIB topics or issues are you most passionate about, and why are they important?
Gender equity with an intersectional lens, focusing on culture and ethnicity.
In a few sentences, explain why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are important to you personally.
As a social psychologist, DEIB matters deeply to me because it’s about fairness, respect, and creating a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Personally, I believe that our differences make us stronger. I’m passionate about creating environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Are you engaged in DEIB initiatives outside of Saga? If so, please share a bit about your external involvement.
As an adjunct faculty member, I conduct research with undergraduate students from the University of Puerto Rico on topics like colonial mentality and gender discrimination in Puerto Rico and accessible self-care practices for underserved populations.
What goals do you hope to achieve through your work in DEIB, both at Saga and beyond?
Through my work at Saga, my goals are raising awareness, fostering inclusivity, building relationships, and supporting professional development. Through my teaching and research, I aim to support my students’ professional development, measure psychological outcomes related to DEIB, advocate through education, and impact overall student success.
Is there someone or something that inspired you to become involved in DEIB efforts? If yes, please share.
Yes, there’s someone who deeply inspired my involvement in DEIB efforts – my mom. She’s a remarkable Latina in STEM who excelled in her field and embraced her femininity with confidence. Elle Woods in real life! Her resilience and ability to break barriers motivated me to work towards a more equitable and inclusive world where women can be authentic and succeed, regardless of their background.
What advice or encouragement would you offer to your colleagues at Saga who want to get more involved in DEIB work?
My advice is to start by taking small steps, such as attending DEIB training or joining related discussions and actively listening and learning from the experiences of underrepresented groups.
Read our three-year DEIB Strategic Plan on how we will use these work components to accelerate educational equity through the proven power of high-impact tutoring.
