Looking for a way to connect with, or enhance your support for, the Kent State community? If so, look no further than the KSU Employee Resource Groups, which partner with the Division of Human Resources and the community to support the university’s mission, vision and values. ERGs assist with recruitment and retention, and foster a culture of respect, kindness and purpose for all things Kent State.
The newest group to become officially registered is the Women of Color Collective. Housed at the Women’s Center, WOCC fosters the professional development, mental wellness, networking and personal growth of women-identifying faculty and staff of color, and their allies. The Kent Young Professionals provides opportunities for mentoring, and fosters career development and social networking for the young and young at heart.
The Latino Networking Caucus LNC is a university work group comprised of students, faculty and staff who have an affiliation or interest in the Latino culture. Kent State Spectrum supports and hosts local events and leads LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives on campus.
These groups – along with International Faculty & Staff Network and Pan African Faculty, and Staff Association (founded in 1972) – make up the university’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). They engage various generations, job groups, backgrounds, ethnicities and perspectives.
“ERGs serve as vehicles to educate the university community on diversity and cultural norms and values,” said Geraldine Hayes-Nelson, Ph.D. and executive director of Outreach and Engagement for Human Resources. “These groups are one of the university’s best-kept secrets. We encourage faculty and staff to get involved, as enrollment is open year-round.”
To learn more about, or get involved with, Kent State’s ERGs, visit the ERG web page or download the brochure.