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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  

 Interested in starting an Affinity Group for Loyola faculty and/or staff? 

FAQs

Active AG's and Upcoming Events

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.  

Stay tuned for the next event! 

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. 

JFSA Upcoming events: 

The JFSA Affinity Group is thrilled to invite you to a Purim Celebration taking place on all three Chicago campuses!   See below for a list of times and locations. If you are unfamiliar with Purim, I encourage you to check out this link to learn more. Please contact Laurence Bolotinlbolotin@luc.edu to RSVP   We hope to see you there!

  • March 18th from 12:00-2:00pm  - Mundelein on the 7th floor in the Greenhouse on the Lake Shore Campus
  • March 19th from 3:00-5:00pm - Corboy Law Center in Room 727 on the Water Tower Campus- NOTE that this is the new location
  • March 20th from 12:00-2:00pm - Cuneo Atrium Tables on the Health Science Campus in Maywood

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 Polly Eron meron@luc.edu

Stay tuned for the next event!

 

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.  

  

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?

Those interested in starting an AG should submit an online proposal or email institutionaldiversity@luc.edu with any additional questions. 

  



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  

 Interested in starting an Affinity Group for Loyola faculty and/or staff?