When Ernestor De La Rosa moved to the United States at age 12, little did he know that he would later become Topeka’s first-ever chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. Despite facing challenges, including learning a new language and experiencing discrimination, De La Rosa was determined to gain the education necessary to help others overcome similar barriers.
Undeterred by his ineligibility for financial assistance, De La Rosa worked two jobs while attending Fort Hays State University and graduated in 2012 with a degree in political science. After completing his master’s degree at Wichita State University and serving nine years with the City of Dodge City in multiple capacities, De La Rosa decided to pursue a new challenge.
His new position in Topeka, serving as chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, allows him to combine his passion for local government and political advocacy. Until recently, De La Rosa was a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Understanding the difficulty of being an immigrant from a minority population, De La Rosa hopes to forge an equitable policy structure for employment and diversity in Topeka.
He and his team live by the motto, “Diversity is the fact, equity is a choice, inclusion is an action, and belonging is the outcome.”
He exemplifies how hard work and an education from FHSU can help dreams become a reality. His resilient spirit, relentless drive for success, and passion for making the world a better place will undoubtedly help Topeka in its mission to progress and diversify.