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Affinity Groups

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Loyola University Chicago’s Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is committed to enhancing feelings of belonging across our campuses. However, we cannot do so alone.    

We believe in the power of Loyola’s faculty and staff community to rally around a common interest, purpose, or goal. From there, creating structured engagement opportunities that connect our colleagues to one another and to a greater purpose.   

To activate this vision, OIDEI is thrilled to support Affinity Groups (AGs) for faculty and staff!  

Similar to Loyola’s many student organizations, AGs help to provide an increased sense of belonging for faculty and staff. With support from the OIDEI, AGs are established and managed by members of the Loyola community.      

We invite all Loyola faculty and staff to lead the way by elevating what is important to you and your colleagues while creating a sustainable community to connect with others around diverse ideas, talents, and interests.    

Affinity Groups (AGs) proudly promote inclusion and a sense of belonging at Loyola University Chicago. AGs are open to all Loyola faculty and staff who support the mission and vision of the AG. 

Benefits of Affinity Groups include: 

  • An increased sense of belonging for faculty and staff 
  • Breaking down employee silos between schools, units, and campuses 
  • Deepening of colleague relationships  
  • Cultivating personal and professional development
  • Positive impact to recruitment + retention efforts
  • Help drive diversity, equity, and inclusion by enhancing cultural awareness  

 For those interested in starting an Affinity Group for Loyola faculty and/or staff,  there will be a call for new Affinity Groups in the fall! 

 

FAQs

Active Affinity Groups

LUC BIPOC Network

The LUC BIPOC Network is a monthly, virtual affinity group that invites Loyola's Black, Indigenous, & People of Color (BIPOC) colleagues across all roles and campuses into one supportive community. Goals of the LUC BIPOC Network include discussing topics important to those who hold marginalized identities in higher education, holding space for words or silent presence that address our unique needs in an ever-changing society, and to celebrate our collective joys and visions for the future of Loyola University Chicago.  For more information, please contact Justin Wright jwright27@luc.edu  

Fall '24 Network Gatherings
Feel free to join any sessions you can make it to!
  • November 8th, 2024
  • December 6th, 2024
View our website at the following link for more information on the Affinity Group Series and the virtual meeting link:  LUC BIPOC Network Affinity Group: Faculty Center for Ignatian Pedagogy: Loyola University Chicago

 

Early Career Professionals 

The Early Career Professionals Affinity Group is dedicated to supporting those who are early in their career and/or new to working at Loyola. With pillars of professional development, community building, and inclusion, our mission is to strengthen the connections and skills of early career professionals while building coalitions across all three Loyola Chicago campuses to cultivate an institutional culture where early career staff can thrive. If you have questions or are interested, please email Bizzy Stephenson estephenson@luc.edu or Madeline Stanton mstanton2@luc.edu.  

Join your fellow Early Career Professionals to celebrate one year of our affinity group at our upcoming in-person event on November 20th, 2024 from 3:30-5pm on the Lake Shore Campus in Damen Student Center 214. Come for free appetizers and discussion around gratitude and service! All faculty and staff are welcome.

Please RSVP using the registration form. Email estephenson@luc.edu with any questions. 

Jewish Faculty, Staff, and Allies

The Jewish Faculty, Staff, and Allies (JFSA) affinity group at Loyola University Chicago will celebrate and support Jewish faith, heritage, culture, and identities through networking, personal, and professional development, strengthening the diverse learning community and supporting Loyola's commitment to cura personalis across all campuses. If you have questions or are interested, please email Laurence Bolotin lbolotin@luc.edu.

If you would like to sign up for the JFSA Affinity Group mailing list, please submit your name and email address here

La Loyola Latine 

La Loyola: Latine Faculty and Staff Affinity Group promotes cultural pride and recognition at Loyola University Chicago. La Loyola supports staff and faculty with a shared interest to build community and connect across our campuses. Our mission is to nurture the spirit of collegiality, share resources, mentor fellow colleagues, unite as a network of professionals, and increase visibility of faculty/staff who hold marginalized identities.  If you have questions or are interested in joining La Loyola, please email the chair, Wendolyn Gomez, wgomez2@luc.edu and the vice chair, Ramiro Jiménez, rjimenez3@luc.edu. 

La Loyola: Latine Faculty and Staff Affinity Group promueve el orgullo y reconocimiento cultural en la Universidad Loyola de Chicago. La Loyola apoya profesores y empleados Latines con un interés compartido de construir una comunidad y conectarse en todos nuestros campus. Nuestra misión es fomentar el espíritu de colegialidad, compartir recursos, orientar a nuestros colegas, unirnos como una red de profesionales y aumentar la visibilidad de empleados con identidades marginadas. Grupos de afinidad (Affinity Groups (AGs)) promueven con orgullo la inclusión y el sentido de pertenencia en la Universidad Loyola de Chicago.  Si tiene preguntas o está interesado en unirse a La Loyola, envíe un correo electrónico a la presidenta, Wendolyn Gomez, wgomez2@luc.edu,  y al vicepresidente, Ramiro Jiménez, rjimenez3@luc.edu. 

If you would like to sign up for La Loyola’s mailing list, please submit your name and Loyola email address here. 

 

LUC Pride Network 

The LUC Pride Network Affinity Group supports the advancement and belonging of LGBTQIA+ employees at Loyola University Chicago. We serve this goal by building a community grounded in solidarity and joy through events and gatherings that foster connection and conversation. We remain a space steadfast in welcoming and serving all employees while centering the experiences of those at the margins of gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or sex with an understanding that each of these experiences are hued through multiple layers of systemic power. The work of those that came before provide drive as we create a community and culture of justice, equity and uplift for ourselves and generations to come at Loyola.

For more information, please contact Cami Christopulos cchristopulos@luc.edu or Polly Eron meron@luc.edu

 

Affinity Groups (AGs) proudly promote inclusion and a sense of belonging at Loyola University ChicagoAGs are open to all Loyola faculty and staff who support the mission and vision of the AG.  

AGs están abiertos a todos los profesores y personal de Loyola que apoyan la misión y la visión del AG. 

 

What are AGs?

Affinity Groups (AGs) are voluntary, self-led groups comprised of faculty and/or staff with a common purpose, goal, or interest. With support from the OIDEI, AGs are established and managed by members of the Loyola community.  AGs help to achieve our collective goals of increasing inclusion and feelings of belonging by offering structured opportunities for like-minded individuals and allies to connect across Loyola University Chicago.  

What is the goal of an AG?

AGs help to achieve our collective goals of increasing inclusion and feelings of belonging by offering a space for like-minded individuals and allies to connect.   Like Loyola’s many student organizations, AGs provide an increased sense of belonging driven by the actions of individuals who create lived experiences on our campuses – that’s you!   

Additionally, AGs are a platform for breaking down silos, building and deepening colleague relationships, and cultivating personal and professional development alongside peers with a unique role, perspective, or interest at the University. 

Who can start or join an AG?

AGs are open to all Loyola employees and may include faculty, staff, or a combination of both. Most importantly, AGs are community driven, meaning any faculty or staff at Loyola can form, lead, and/or join an AG of interest. 

 

What do AGs do?

AGs have a leadership structure, actively recruit new members, and hold meetings and activities to ensure member engagement. AGs may focus on uplifting a specific affinity (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities), a specific purpose (new staff networking, educators pursuing tenure), or a specific interest (sustainability on campus), as examples. The potential for the types of AGs are endless!  Regardless of the focus, AGs are open to all faculty and staff who support the mission of the AG.

 

How do I start an AG?

Currently, the creation of new affinity groups is paused. If you have specific questions or concerns, email itamas@luc.edu.

 



Loyola University Chicago’s Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is committed to enhancing feelings of belonging across our campuses. However, we cannot do so alone.    

We believe in the power of Loyola’s faculty and staff community to rally around a common interest, purpose, or goal. From there, creating structured engagement opportunities that connect our colleagues to one another and to a greater purpose.   

To activate this vision, OIDEI is thrilled to support Affinity Groups (AGs) for faculty and staff!  

Similar to Loyola’s many student organizations, AGs help to provide an increased sense of belonging for faculty and staff. With support from the OIDEI, AGs are established and managed by members of the Loyola community.      

We invite all Loyola faculty and staff to lead the way by elevating what is important to you and your colleagues while creating a sustainable community to connect with others around diverse ideas, talents, and interests.    

Affinity Groups (AGs) proudly promote inclusion and a sense of belonging at Loyola University Chicago. AGs are open to all Loyola faculty and staff who support the mission and vision of the AG. 

Benefits of Affinity Groups include: 

  • An increased sense of belonging for faculty and staff 
  • Breaking down employee silos between schools, units, and campuses 
  • Deepening of colleague relationships  
  • Cultivating personal and professional development
  • Positive impact to recruitment + retention efforts
  • Help drive diversity, equity, and inclusion by enhancing cultural awareness  

 For those interested in starting an Affinity Group for Loyola faculty and/or staff,  there will be a call for new Affinity Groups in the fall!