Affinity Groups

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

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 use this link. 

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.

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.

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.

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

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 use this link.

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

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 use this link. 

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.  

If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or use this link. 

Fall 2025 Activities  (All In-person)

First-Gen Fall Mixer - Wednesday, September 3^rd - 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!

Student Success Summit on First-Generation Students from Immigrant Origins - Friday, September 19^th - 10AM-4PM - Dewberry Hall

This summit intends to bring together students, faculty/staff, and their allies to dialogue, learn, connect, and develop goals and strategies to promote the inclusion, well-being, and success of first-generation college students from immigrant origins, including those with and without protective or temporary status and students from refugee and displaced backgrounds. Please register here.

First-Gen Networking Social - October 7th - 12:00 - 1:30PM - GEORGE'S (JC 3^rd 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.

2nd Annual Career Success Conference for First-Gen College Students from Immigrant Origins -  

Sat, October 18th - 10AM – 3:15PM - Trinity Washington University

In partnership with TheDream.US, four DMV partner institutions — Trinity Washington University, Marymount University, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University — invite you to the 2nd Annual Career Success Conference for First-Gen College Students.

Please join us for a day dedicated to helping first-generation college students prepare for career success and post-graduation opportunities, especially for those navigating limited employment options. Lunch will be provided, and business casual attire is recommended. *Transportation will be available for George Mason students and staff at the Fairfax Campus* Please register here.

First-Gen Week is from November 3^rd - November 7th

First-Gen Faculty/Staff Mixer - November 5^th - 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.

Fall 2025 UndocuAlly Trainings:

• Friday, October 3rd (In-person); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2284739 
• Friday, October 31st (In-person); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2284742
• Thursday, November 6th (Virtual); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2284743
• Friday, November 21st (In-person); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r228474

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] 

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 use this link. 

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!
 

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 use this link. 

Fall 2025 UndocuAlly Trainings:

• Friday, October 3rd (In-person); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2284739 
• Friday, October 31st (In-person); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2284742
• Thursday, November 6th (Virtual); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2284743
• Friday, November 21st (In-person); Registration Required: https://cglink.me/2d7/r228474

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, 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 21^st, 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

To unsubscribe from SPARK use this link. 

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 25^th noon-1:00 (In-person)

Thursday, October 23rd noon-1:00 (In-person)

Thursday, November 13^th noon-1:00 (In-person)

Monday, December 8^th noon-1:00 (In-person)

If you wish to remove yourself from the listserv, send a request to Amy Ayres or use this link. 

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.