Since 2019, the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA) has hosted Affinity Group Gatherings for UW–Madison faculty and staff. These informal social gatherings are intended to help faculty and staff with underrepresented and/or marginalized identities come together to build community, make connections and share resources.
These gatherings are part of the Diversity Framework and a direct response to feedback from campus community members that faculty and staff — particularly newer ones — sometimes find it difficult to meet and make connections with people who share their backgrounds and identities on UW–Madison’s sprawling, predominantly white campus.
Affinity Groups meet monthly during the fall and spring semesters. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all Affinity Group Gatherings will be held as virtual meet-ups until it becomes safe to meet in person again. You can find the schedule of upcoming gatherings in our events calendar.
Faculty and staff whose personal identities align with any of the Affinity Groups below may sign up to receive email updates and participate in the groups.
Active Affinity Groups
APIDA Affinity Group
An Affinity Group intended for UW–Madison faculty and staff who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander, and/or Desi American (APIDA).
Black/African American Affinity Group
An Affinity Group intended for UW–Madison faculty and staff who identify as Black, African American and/or Caribbean American.
Disability Affinity Group
An Affinity Group intended for UW–Madison faculty and staff who identify as disabled.
Latinx Affinity Group
An Affinity Group intended for UW–Madison faculty and staff who identify as Latinx (Latina/Latino) or Chicanx (Chicano/Chicana).
LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
An Affinity Group intended for UW–Madison faculty and staff who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, intersex, asexual or other non-cisgendered & non-heterosexual identities.
Native American Affinity Group
An Affinity Group intended for UW–Madison faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous, Native American, American Indian, Alaska Native and/or Native Hawaiian.
