Affinity Group Open House

The Affinity Group Open House!

Open to ALL UMBC faculty and staff!

Date: Monday, October 5

Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Location: Apartment Community Center MPR

Come meet Affinity Group leaders, learn more about the communities they support, grab some materials, and sign up to stay connected. Refreshments will be provided along with a brief program. 

Affinity Groups

Asian & Asian Faculty Staff Council: An affinity group for Asian and Asian American faculty and staff to build connections, support one another, and engage in professional development, student mentoring, and campus programming. Primary contact: Shuyan San/suns@umbc.edu

UMBC Black Faculty & Staff Association: An affinity group for Black faculty and staff at UMBC to connect with one another and foster a sense of belonging across the university. Primary contact: Amery Thompson/ameryqt@umbc.edu

Black Faculty Committee: Brings together individuals committed to strengthening the experiences, professional welfare, and development of Black faculty, staff, and students, while supporting the recruitment and retention of Black faculty. Primary contact: Loren Henderson/loren@umbc.edu

CAHSS Faculty Women’s Network: An affinity group for women faculty in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, offering opportunities for mentorship, professional support, visibility, and career advancement. Primary contact: Kate Drabinski/drabinsk@umbc.edu

International Faculty Association: An affinity group for international faculty to connect, find mentorship, build professional networks, and navigate the unique experiences of working and living in a new cultural environment. Primary contact: Shuling Yang/syang9@umbc.edu

Jewish Faculty and Staff Association (JFSA): An affinity group for Jewish-identifying faculty, staff, students, and allies to connect around shared culture and values while fostering dialogue, mutual support, and belonging across UMBC. Primary contact: Kevin Turpie/kturpie@umbc.edu

Latinx and Hispanic Faculty Association: An affinity group for self-identified Latinx and Hispanic faculty to connect and support one another while promoting mentorship, professional growth, and opportunities for Hispanic and Latinx/e students. Primary contact: Fernando Vonhoff/fvonhoff@umbc.edu

LGBTQ+ Faculty & Staff Association: Provides a space for LGBTQ+ faculty and staff to connect, access information, and engage with one another. Primary contact: Keith Bowman/kjb@umbc.edu

Neurodivergent Affinity Group: An affinity group for neurodivergent faculty and staff to connect, support one another, and advocate for a campus environment that recognizes and values neurodivergent perspectives and contributions. Primary contact: Tiffany Banks/tbanks4@umbc.edu

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE): An affinity group for women faculty in STEM to connect through informal peer mentoring, networking, and conversations about thriving in STEM, while also supporting recruitment and professional advancement. Primary contact: Phyllis Robinson/probinso@umbc.edu

UMBC Affinity Groups are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy.