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. Here is the complete list of employee resource groups.
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)
October 15 @ 12 noon
November 10 @ 12 noon
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
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
First-Gen Affinity Group
The mission of the First-Gen affinity group is to build a supportive, cross-campus network of First-Gen professionals, and to provide spaces for information sharing and community-building. This group brings together George Mason faculty and staff, who actively seek to support one another’s professional development while supporting the success of George Mason’s robust first-generation student community through engagement with First-Gen-focused initiatives, including George Mason’s First Gen+ Center.
Fall 2025 Activities (All In-person)
First-Gen Fall Mixer - Wednesday, September 3rd - 11:30am-1:30pm - JC Bistro
Join the First-Gen+ Center for our First-Gen Fall Mixer to kick off the new semester with the First-Gen community! Connect with students, faculty, and staff over food, music, and activities. Come when you can, leave when you must! Light refreshments will be served!
First-Gen Networking Social - October 7th - 12:00 - 1:30PM - GEORGE'S (JC 3rd Floor)
You are cordially invited to attend the First-Gen Networking Social. The goal of this event is to offer a supportive environment for students who are new to networking, while providing an opportunity to build confidence and establish meaningful connections with faculty and staff. Your presence and insights would be invaluable in supporting first-gen students. We hope you can join us for an afternoon of networking and community building. Come when you can, leave when you must! Light refreshments will be served! Please register here.
First-Gen Faculty/Staff Mixer - November 5th - 11:30AM-1:30PM - JC Room 239A
Join us for the First-Gen Faculty/Staff Mixer on Wednesday, November 5th from 11:30AM – 1:30PM in the JC Room 239A. First-gen t-shirts and other merch will be available during that time. Lunch will be served! Please register here.
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)
October 16 @ 12 noon - Virtual
December 3 @ 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. - In person [Johnson Center, 326, Meeting Room B, Fairfax Campus]
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 of our community at George Mason.
Fall 2025 Meetings (Virtual)
September 9 @ 12 noon -Virtual
Rest of fall meetings will be posted soon!
SPARK (Scholars Promoting Access, Representation & Knowledge) Affinity Group
SPARK (Scholars Promoting Access, Representation, and Knowledge) provides a welcoming space for doctoral and MFA students to 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. Contact Ms. Amy Ayres or Dr. Millie Rivera for the Zoom link to join the session if you are not in the listserv.
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
SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Affinity Group
The mission of this group is to bring together faculty and staff with connections to SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) communities for opportunities to socialize and be in community together.
Fall 2025 Meetings
All meetings will be held in SUB 1 Room 4210
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)
The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.