The University of Michigan has several employee resource groups. These groups are employee led groups that foster inclusivity and community. As part of your onboarding, consider joining any groups that match your interests to make connections and build relationships outside of your immediate work group. Make sure to obtain supervisor approval where appropriate before joining a group.
Advising Council at the University of Michigan (ACUM)
The Advising Council at the University of Michigan, or ACUM, brings together those who advise to best serve our students for the sharing of information, ideas, and best practices across campus. The size, decentralization, and geography of the University of Michigan can make it more challenging for academic advisors to make connections, develop a sense of community, and keep updated with the latest developments within our different schools, colleges, and departments.
All Campus Administrative Professionals (ACAP)
ACAP seeks to support administrative staff by providing resources and information for personal and professional growth. We strive to connect with professionals in our diverse community and provide continual support and knowledge sharing at all career stages and across all administrative levels. For additional information and to join the group, please email [email protected].
Asian Pacific Islander Desi/American Staff Association at the University of Michigan
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi/American Staff Association serves any staff member interested in engaging with the APID/A experience on the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus. The Association provides a variety of opportunities for staff to connect as a community.
Black Employee Association at the University of Michigan (BEAM)
Established in the 1980s, for over thirty years, the Association of Black Professionals, faculty, administrators, and staff have provided a forum dedicated to creating a working environment that allows black employees to flourish through programming, mentoring, professional development, and establishing bi-directional communication with the University of Michigan Leadership. In 2021 under unanimous vote, the organization changed its name to the Black Employee Association at the University of Michigan (BEAM) This change was created to represent the multiple positions black faculty and staff lead on campus and be more inclusive.
Career Services Network
The Career Services Network (CSN) is a community consortium of career development professionals across 24 units and offices and three campuses of the University of Michigan. Currently, group membership includes more than 180+ employees, and continues to grow. The CSN has been growing steadily since it was established in 2010. Career or career-related employees at any U-M campus can join the group freely by clicking "Join" on the umcareerservices MCommunity page. By joining, employees will receive invitations to monthly professional development meetings on a host of career-related topics, as well as invitations to join numerous committees.
Collaboration and Productivity Community of Practice
Collaboration and productivity services (like U-M Google and Slack) are widely used and critically important across the university community. This Community of Practice will discuss, educate and inform about such services, collect and offer examples of their use, and work to elevate collaboration and productivity at the University of Michigan. Subscribe to the Collaboration and Productivity MCommunity group to join!
Communicators' Forum
A group for marketing and communications staff on all three U-M campuses to network and hear about the latest issues and topics at U-M and best practices in the field. Meets in person several times annually. Email [email protected] to join.
Council for Disability Concerns
The University of Michigan Council for Disability Concerns works towards creating a community that respects disability, honors individual needs, and makes everything accessible.
Expect Respect
The educational initiative, Expect Respect, aims to support a campus climate where all persons are treated with civility. Community members from across campus have worked together to strengthen the framework of support services for those who have experienced hate crimes or bias incidents.
Inclusive Campus Collaborative
The Inclusive Campus Collaborative seeks to foster a campus climate in which all members of the University of Michigan community feel respected, valued, and empowered to engage in the life of the university. We collaborate with students, faculty and staff to help build an inclusive culture of belonging. We support one another in developing and expanding our own knowledge and skills in engaging across difference and serving as effective allies to students and colleagues affected by all forms of bias, racism, and structural inequality. The collaborative is composed of directors, faculty, staff, and students from various schools and units across the University. By serving on the committee, you will have a direct voice in campus affairs and gain a better understanding of the administration of the University.
IT Community of Practices (multiple)
Michigan IT Community of Practice are groups where like-minded IT professionals can share information, experiences, and ideas around a particular topic in support of the university’s missions.
UMHR Community of Practice
The mission of UMHR Community of Practice is to facilitate a community around HR partnerships, bringing together HR professionals to collaborate and learn, fostering growth and development. Focus on current topics of interest for their continuous competency development and contribution to the university’s overall mission. The vision for the HR Community of Practice is to evoke a sense of pride, excitement, motivation, and belonging among all members of the HR community.
U-M LGBTQ+ Staff Group
The U-M Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ (U-M LGBTQ+) Staff group is dedicated to all staff who identify within the LGBTQ+ community at the institution. To join the group's listserv, please email [email protected] to express interest or request to join the group by submitting an interest form. Each semester, the group organizes a few events which allow LGBTQ+ staff to get to know each other and build community.
Veterans and Military-Connected Faculty, Staff, and Students
Military-Connected Students bring unique and valuable perspectives to their university experience. As part of the overall university DEI objectives, military-connected students are a valued and vital component of our campus community. We invite faculty and staff who have served in the military to connect with student veterans via our programs. Your experience and knowledge of U-M combined with your understanding of the military experience places you in a position to offer guidance and advice to students who are making the transition from the military to campus life.
Voices of the Staff
Voices of the Staff (Voices) is U-M’s employee engagement program. Each year in March, you can apply to join Voices. It's your opportunity to share ideas and define the campus community issues that matter most to you. Participants join more than 120 staff members from across all campuses to meet monthly, serving on one of six topic-specific network teams. There is a seventh Voices team comprised of alumni of the program.
WISA: Womxn in Student Affairs
The Womxn in Student Affairs (WISA) group is a professional development group founded in April 2013. WISA is a volunteer-based group focused on supporting those that identify as womxn working in student affairs. Our goal is to provide meaningful professional development events, meaningful networking opportunities, and promote community within the University of Michigan. Through participating in WISA, members will be able to: Create meaningful connections and expand their networks across the U-M campus Participate in professional development and personal growth opportunities Explore the intersectional needs of those who share a common identity as womxn in student affairs To join, please add yourself to the WISA listserv to receive updates and review the WISA website for information & events. You can add yourself to the WISA listserv on MCommunity.
Women of Color Task Force
The Women of Color Task Force (WCTF) is a University of Michigan staff organization, founded in 1979, that provides professional development, networking, and training opportunities for employees, with a focus on addressing the needs of women of color staff. The WCTF serves as a support network and a forum for the exchange of information about the status of women of color staff at the University of Michigan. Please contact WCTF about membership via email at [email protected] or visit our web page Women of Color Task Force to join.
Onboarding Employee Resource Groups - Submission Form
If you are a member of an affinity group, community of practice, or other group that is open to U-M employees, we would like to hear from you! We are looking for groups that would like to be featured on this page. Please fill out this form to add your group. Contact [email protected] with any additional questions. Groups must be open to staff that do not require an invitation to join.