University of Dayton Faculty/Staff Affinity Groups

As a Catholic and Marianist University, the University of Dayton encourages its members to collaborate in building community and to join in a quest for a more perfect human society. The University of Dayton recognizes the unique challenges faced by members of underrepresented and underserved groups in navigating the campus community. *UD is grateful to faculty and staff who assume leadership roles in Affinity Groups and their willingness to engage in initiatives and programs that strengthen the sense of belonging and connection to the University for faculty and staff. The faculty/staff affinity group guidelines provide a foundation for all University of Dayton Affinity Groups while providing some flexibility for groups to structure culturally appropriate to the group and its goals. 

Faculty/Staff Affinity Group Guidelines 

^{*Underrepresented Populations: Underrepresentation describes the extent to which the proportion of certain U.S. racial/ethnic groups relative to the total campus population fails to mirror their proportion in the broader U.S. population. For our purposes, the term underrepresented populations refers to members of the student body, faculty, staff, administration, trustees and alumni who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and self-identify with real and socially constructed human dimensions of race and ethnicity, including American/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic/Chicanx, Asian American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander American, biracial or multiracial, and gender identification.}

^{*Underserved Population refers to members of the student body, faculty, staff, administration, trustees and alumni who may not have access to full benefits of economic, social and political opportunity. Dimensions may include: race, religion/spirituality/faith, ethnicity, ability, national origin, Immigration status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, attractionality/sexual orientation, social class/socioeconomic status, and first language. This list is not exhaustive.}

Current Affinity Groups at the University of Dayton

Black Employees Association

Contact Information:

Conveners: 

• Kathleen Henderson, Director of College Access, Transition and Success
• Aaron Witherspoon, Director of University Advising Initiatives

Email: khenderson1@udayton.edu; Aaron Witherspoon

Black Faculty Association

The purpose of the Black Faculty Association (BFA) at the University of Dayton is to promote and enhance inclusion, identity, sense of community, scholarship, creative and artistic activities, professional welfare and development among Black faculty thus enriching the Catholic, Marianist tradition of the institution. It seeks to ensure that issues of social justice impacting the local and broader communities are addressed through the mission and actions of the university.

More Information about the BFA. 

Contact Information:

Convener: Donna M. Cox, Department of Music
Financial Manager: Kenya Crosson, School of Engineering
Email: dcox01@udayton.edu

Home of Asian American Pacific Islanders

The name of this group is Home of Asian American Pacific Islanders at the University of Dayton, hereinafter referred to as HAAPI@UD. HAAPI@UD is the first organization of its kind at UD. 

The purpose of HAAPI@UD is to create a community of support, engagement, and camaraderie among faculty and staff who identify as Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI), as well as faculty and staff who support that community. Pragmatism, collaboration, communication, and people-centeredness are core values. Social events, networking, professional development and mentorship, both faculty/staff to faculty/staff and faculty/staff to students, are primary areas of focus for HAAPI@UD. HAAPI@UD also serves as a resource for the wider university community, raising awareness around issues of specific concern or interest to AAPI faculty and staff. 

More information about HAAPI. 

Contact Information:
Co-conveners: 

• Aidan Curran, Digital Media Specialist, Ryan C. Harris Learning Teaching Center
• Ione Damasco, Professor and Director of Information Acquisition & Organization, University Libraries
• Sangita Gosalia, Director of Campus Engagement, CIP
• Maiella Hollander, Administrative and Budget Coordinator, CIP
• Tim Kao, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, CIP

Email: haapi@udayton.edu

Jewish Faculty and Staff Affinity Group

The Jewish Faculty and Staff Affinity Group represent Jewish Faculty and Staff on the University of Dayton’s campus. The Affinity Group helps members connect to Jewish resources in the Dayton area, build fellowship with each other, and advocate for issues that impact Jewish faculty and staff on campus.

More Information about Jewish Faculty and Staff Affinity Group

Contact Information:

Conveners: 

• Samuel Dorf, Associate Professor of Musicology 
• Masha Kisel, Lecturer in English

Email: Samuel Dorf;  Masha Kisel 

Pa'lante: Latinx Employee Association

Pa’lante is a contraction of the Spanish preposition para and the adverb adelante. Para adelante, or its variation pa’lante, is a common way for people to encourage each other to keep moving forward.

QDayton: The LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at UD

Because of the University of Dayton's mission to respect the inherent dignity of every human being, employees* identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, + (LGBTQ+) are a valued part of the campus community. Through our visible and vocal presence on campus, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group aims to provide a supportive, affirming, and safe environment for LGBTQ+ employees at UD through collegial gatherings, campus dialogue, and community awareness. The Group is open to LGBTQ+ university employees interested in promoting equality for the LGBTQ+ community and supporting informed dialogue about LGBTQ+ issues on campus. This group honors and recognizes the intersections of diverse identities and varying levels of visibility; we invite LGBTQ+ employees to participate in whatever manner is most comfortable for them.

More Information about LGBTQ+

Contact Information:

Conveners:

• R Darden Bradshaw, Assistant Professor of Art Education
• Lis Regula, Lecturer in Biology
• Anthony Rodriguez, IT Service Center Manager

Email: qdayton@udayton.edu