Contact Faculty Affairs with questions about the Affinity Groups
As part of George Mason University's commitment to inclusive excellence, the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development supports several affinity groups.
Affinity groups—people with a shared interest or common goal—are open to all faculty (tenured, tenure-track, term, adjunct, administrative, and professional), doctoral students, and staff. Affinity groups:
- Provide our faculty, doctoral students, and staff with a sense of community, inclusion, and belonging
- Serve as spaces for discussion of issues that impact the success and well-being of our faculty, staff, and doctoral students
- Facilitate connections and professional partnerships and champion strategic efforts to support the success of their members
The Office of Human Resources coordinates several employee resources groups (ERGs) which are open to all classified staff, administrative/professional and instructional/research faculty, adjunct faculty, and non-student wage employees. Some groups are included below, or you can explore the complete list of support resources.
For more information about any of the affinity groups, contact Dr. Milagros (Millie) Rivera, director of faculty engagement and well-being.
Groups
AAPI (Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander) Affinity Group
The mission of the AAPI affinity group is to provide a forum for discussing work and life experiences affecting AAPI faculty and staff, celebrating our cultures, and building a supportive community that embraces all of our diverse members.
Fall 2025 Meetings (All Virtual)
September 11 @ 12 noon
October 15 @ 12 noon
November 10 @ 12 noon
To unsubscribe from AAPI, use this link.
At each meeting, we spend time building community and discussing issues important to the members of the group. If you did not receive an email with the Zoom link via our Listserv, contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera and we will send you the links for the meetings and add you to the listserv (if you so desire). If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
Aging Parents ERG
Join other George Mason employees in navigating the challenges related to having aging parents. This group is for employees with aging parents who are looking to connect with others, share advice, and be part of a supportive community.
The group will meet monthly over Zoom on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. If you are interested in joining or have questions, please contact Laura Winkler.
Black Male Faculty and Staff ERG
The mission of the Black Male Faculty and Staff group is to promote a sense of community among its members, improve their quality of life, and offer an atmosphere of cultural and social networking. This group seeks to share resources/information, and build relationships in a space that is safe, vulnerable, and accessible.
Join our meetings on a monthly basis for meaningful conversation and support, as well as occasional in-person activities. For the meeting schedule. To be included on the listserv and the Microsoft Teams Group, or if you have any questions, please contact bmfsg@gmu.edu.
Black Women of Mason ERG
The Black Women of Mason Resource Group's mission is to provide a safe and affirming space where all Black women administrators, faculty, and staff can be their authentic selves. This group is a supportive community, committed to uplifting each other through knowledge sharing, culturally relevant well-being and social networking opportunities, and advancing professional development. For more information or to join, please contact bwmerg@gmu.edu.
BLIM (Black, Latine, Indigenous, Multiracial) Affinity Group
The mission of the BLIM Affinity group is to promote a sense of community among its members, improve their quality of life at GMU, and offer an atmosphere of cultural and social networking that promotes a sense of belonging and supports wellbeing.
Fall 2025 Meetings (All Virtual)
September 12 @ 12 noon
October 14 @ 12 noon
November 12 @ 12 noon
To unsubscribe from BLIM, use this link.
At each meeting, we spend time building community and discussing issues important to the members of the group. If you did not receive an email with the Zoom link via our Listserv, contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera and we will send you the links for the meetings and add you to the listserv (if you so desire). If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
DNA (Disability and Neurodivergence Alliance) Affinity Group
The Disability & Neurodivergence Alliance Faculty/Staff Affinity Group (DNA) fosters a supportive, inclusive community for faculty and staff with disabilities and active allies to the disability community. We embrace a wide range of experiences, not limited to mental, emotional, physical, cognitive, developmental, sensory, and/or learning disabilities, whether formally diagnosed or self-identified. Our mission is to break silence and stigmas around disabilities, promote and advocate for equitable change around the disabled experience in higher education, and share our diverse experiences and perspectives with disability. Together, we share resources, examine inequities, and build a community of belonging, joy, and pride for all disabled university staff and faculty.
Fall 2025 Meetings (All Virtual)
September 11 @ 11 am – Note that this meeting will be at 11 am!
October 7 @ 12 noon
November 10 @ 12 noon
December 4 @ 12 noon
To unsubscribe from DNA, use this link.
Please talk with Olivia Bowman (othomps@gmu.edu) for details and questions about informal coffee chats
At each meeting, we spend time building community and discussing issues important to the members of the group. If you did not receive an email with the Zoom link via our Listserv, contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera and we will send you the links for the meetings and add you to the listserv (if you so desire). If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
GEM (Global Employees of Mason) Affinity Group
The Global Employees of Mason (GEM) Affinity Group supports our global faculty and staff and celebrates their diverse cultures and their contributions to our university community. GEM will serve as a community that shares resources and provides support for faculty and staff who have joined George Mason University from around the world. We also welcome faculty and staff who work and collaborate with universities outside of the United States or have an interest in global issues.
Fall 2025 Meetings (2 virtual; one in person)
September 8 @ 12 noon - Virtual
October 16 @ 12 noon - Virtual
December 3 @ 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. - In person [Johnson Center, 326, Meeting Room B, Fairfax Campus]
To unsubscribe from GEM, use this link.
At each meeting, we spend time building community and discussing issues important to the members of the group. If you did not receive an email with the Zoom link via our Listserv, contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera and we will send you the links for the meetings and add you to the listserv (if you so desire). If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
Juntos (Mason Hispanic/Latine Alliance) Affinity Group
The mission of Juntos (Mason Hispanic/Latine Alliance) is to cultivate a campus community that affirms cultural awareness and belonging and holistically supports the all-inclusive diversity of our community at George Mason.
Fall 2025 Meetings (Virtual)
September 9 @ 12 noon -Virtual
Rest of fall meetings will be posted soon!
To unsubscribe from JUNTOS, use this link.
At each meeting, we spend time building community and discussing issues important to the members of the group. If you did not receive an email with the Zoom link via our Listserv, contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera and we will send you the links for the meetings and add you to the listserv (if you so desire). If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance ERG
The mission of the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance is to support the university’s mission and vision through the promotion of an inclusive and affirming campus climate for all faculty, staff, and students. Membership in the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall be open to all faculty and staff currently employed at George Mason University on a part-time or full-time basis, including graduate assistants.
Please visit the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance webpage to learn more and become a member.
SPARK (Scholars Promoting Access, Representation & Knowledge) Affinity Group
SPARK (Scholars Promoting Access, Representation, and Knowledge) provides a welcoming and safe space for students who don’t always feel reflected or supported on campus or have faced or experienced social, economic, and historical challenges. The mission of the group is to bring doctoral and MFA students together and promote a sense of community through resource and information sharing and access to mentorship and networks that positively impact educational and career outcomes.
Fall 2025 Meetings (Some virtual, some in-person)
Gradstravaganza (In-person)
Saturday, September 6, 12-3 p.m. Join the SPARK (Scholars Promoting Access, Representation and Knowledge) Affinity Group at their table for the Gradstravaganza Picnic. For more information, including registration links, go to https://go.gmu.edu/gradstravaganza
Location: Wilkins Plaza, GMU‘s Fairfax Campus
October Collaborative Writing Sessions—Write together, thrive together (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 7th and Tuesday, October 21st, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Join us for virtual co-working sessions designed to support focus, motivation, and accountability as you work on writing projects, coursework, or creative ideas. We’ll start each session with a brief check-in and close with reflections or intentions for the week. Cameras optional; presence encouraged.
Morning SPARK Coffee Hour—Casual conversation, strong community (In-person)
Tuesday, November 18th | 9:00–10:00 a.m. Take a break and join fellow SPARK members for an informal coffee chat in a cozy, local spot. It’s a chance to connect, share how the semester is going, and build supportive relationships across programs. Drop in as you are, no agenda, just community.
Location: Einstein Bagels
To unsubscribe from SPARK, use this link.
At each meeting, we spend time building community and discussing issues important to the members of the group. If you did not receive an email with the Zoom link via our Listserv, contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera and we will send you the links for the meetings and add you to the listserv (if you so desire). If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Affinity Group
This group is designed to bring together faculty and staff who identify as SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African), also referred to as “Middle Eastern,” including those situated within hyphenated identities, for an opportunity to socialize and be in community together. To receive more information or join the group please contact Holly Mason Badra or Austin Deray.
Fall 2025 Meetings
Room numbers will be provided soon!
Thursday, September 25th noon-1:00 (In-person)
Thursday, October 23rd noon-1:00 (In-person)
Thursday, November 13th noon-1:00 (In-person)
Monday, December 8th noon-1:00 (In-person)
To unsubscribe from SWANA, use this link.
If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or click on the unsubscribe link provided under each group. Please note that each group has a different unsubscribe link.
Working Mothers ERG
The Support Group for Working Mothers at George Mason is one way George Mason faculty, staff, and students can come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and perhaps motivate changes on campus. If you are interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers, please visit the Working Moms Support Group website for more information. For additional information or questions, please contact engagehr@gmu.edu.
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