Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups are voluntary, employee-initiated groups of SU faculty and staff that share common interests, issues, backgrounds, characteristics or pursuits.
Sometimes the University campus can seem so large that people may feel alone. Affinity Groups enhance feelings of connectedness and provide opportunities for employees to seek and offer support to one another. Some research has shown that diversity retention and recruitment rates improve when women and people of color feel connected with their place of employment.
Forming an Affinity Group
As part of SU's commitment to a respectful workplace, HR assists in forming and furthering the efforts of Affinity Groups.
Recognized Affinity Groups should have a purpose that does one or more of the following:
- Supports diversity and inclusiveness at the University
- Enhances the workplace
- Strengthens the University community
- Supports personal and professional development
Current Affinity Groups and Contact Information
New members for existing groups are welcome to join at any time, although some groups may be limited due to space or other constraints.
- Arts and Crafts
Felicia Proud – fmproud@syr.edu or 443-9814
Learn and share ideas while making simple and beautiful things, such as jewelry. - Bereavement Group
Candi Patterson – cpaterso@maxwell.syr.edu or 443-9443
Emileen Butler – ebutler@syr.edu or 443-3138
Bringing people together to promote understanding of the challenges faced in and out of the workplace, when coping with grief. Regular meetings in a safe, supportive and accepting environment with others who are grieving can be comforting and reassuring. Grief is not always associated with death. Any significant loss (job, relationship, home) can be a reason to grieve. - Community Service
Cora Thomas – cathomas@syr.edu or 443-4021
Committed to making a difference in our community through service. - Computer Music Composition
Cedric Bolton – ctbolton@syr.edu or 443-9676
Computer music and technology can engage conversation about themes such as the music industry. - Dinner Theater
Diane DiPino – djdipino@syr.edu or 443-1957
Carol Melendez – clmelend@syr.edu or 443-5439
Join us quarterly for dinner and a play. Dinner will be held before the shows at various local ethnic restaurants. - Family Caregivers
Candi Patterson – cpaterso@maxwell.syr.edu or 443-9443
Emileen Butler – ebutler@syr.edu or 443-3138
Promotes awareness about the realities of caregiving for the elderly and provides assistance, education, and support for informal family caregivers. - Let's Tee Off
Linda Flynn – lpflynn@syr.edu or 443-9898
Beginner to intermediate level golfers get together on a weekly basis for recreational golfing. This group is not a league. - Librarians Affinity Group
Lydia Wasylenko – lwwasyle@syr.edu or 443-4692
For individuals with librarian appointments in the SU Library and the SU College of Law Library; opportunities for interaction with Librarians from the SUNY-ESF Library and the SUNY-Upstate Medical University Library. Regular meetings combine professional shop talk and purely social conversation. - Men of Color
Casey Morris – cmorris@syr.edu or 443-4458
An avenue of support for men of color at SU. - Orange Asian Pacific Americans (APA)
Huey Hsiao – huhsiao@syr.edu or 443-3006
Amy Horan – akhoran@syr.edu or 443-3867
Amit Taneja – ataneja@syr.edu or 443-3092
The Orange APA foster a climate of diversity, encourage an inclusive and supportive environment, maximize academic and professional growth and build personal and professional relationships with APA faculty, staff and students. The affinity group will serve as mentors, role models, and advocates for APA students. - Outdoor Adventurers
Ryan Beauford – rlbeaufo@syr.edu
Enjoy recreational outdoor activities for all four seasons. Fishing, white water rafting, hiking and rock climbing are just a few of the activities this group may plan. - Skytop Walking Group
Tina Julian – cmjulian@syr.edu or 443-2283
All fitness levels welcome to incorporate walking for health. Walking from the Skytop Office Building and the offices at 621 Skytop Road. - Syracuse University Women of Color (SUWOC)
Jossette Otero – jaotero1@syr.edu or 443-9676
Marissa Willingham – mlwill07@syr.edu or 443-9676
Build community, establish mentoring relationships, provide networking opportunities, and create connections to help eliminate isolation and increase support. - Working Parents
Katie Keough – kbkeough@syr.edu or 443-4925
Melissa Whipps – mjwhipps@syr.edu or 443-3810
Share interests and discuss issues to make a difference in today's working environment. Offering unique perspectives on balancing work and personal family the group of working professional mothers and fathers builds relationships and promotes a culture of leadership in the Syracuse University community. - Young Professionals Affinity Group (YPAG)
Katie Frontino – kfrontin@syr.edu or 443-8791
Connects faculty and staff in their 20s and 30s across departments at Syracuse University.
Disclaimer: Some affinity groups maintain websites. SAll statements, opinions, and views contained throughout those websites do not represent the opinions, views or positions of Syracuse University and may not be attributed to the University for any purpose. Syracuse University disclaims any and all liability resulting from the content contained therein. Links provided within these sites, both internal (for navigating within the sites) and external (to other Internet sites) are for the convenience of the users and Syracuse University is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does the University endorse, warrant, or guarantee the information, opinions, products, or services described or offered at any of these websites.
Questions? Interested in forming a new Affinity Group? E-mail Human Resources or call HR at 443-2378.
Prospective Employees
• Faculty
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Staff •
Retirees
© Office of Human Resources, Syracuse University
Skytop Office Building, Skytop Road
Syracuse, NY 13244
315 • 443 • 4042 / hrservic@syr.edu