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Employee Resource and Affinity Groups

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Employee Resource and Affinity groups provide employees a space for employees to gather and work collaboratively toward common goals. If you are interested in receiving more information or participating in any of the following groups, you can contact equityandinclusion@minneapolis.edu.

Equity & Inclusion Post-Election Care for Employees

We know that elections can be a stressful time and can bring about feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Over the next few months, Equity and Inclusion will look to prioritize the well-being of our campus community. We will be offering a series of sessions that create opportunity to build community, provide support, and offer space for processing and reflection. Below are some upcoming opportunities for employees to engage. Stay connected to this page for additional opportunities in the coming months.

Mindfulness and Reflection

These sessions are designed to provide space for campus employees to process the results and impacts of this year’s election. Employees are invited to join in community to process during these times as needed.

  • Wednesday | November 6 | 11 a.m. to Noon | room L.3100 | via ZOOM
  • Thursday | November 7 | 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. | room T.1200 (as part of the employee development day) | via ZOOM  
  • Thursday | November 7 | 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.| room L.3100 | via ZOOM 
  • Tuesday | November 12 | Noon to 1 p.m. | room T.1400 | via ZOOM
  • Thursday | November 21 | Noon to 1 p.m. | room L.3100 | via ZOOM

Yoga and Relaxation with Dream in Color

Dream In Color Healing holds healing spaces for people to release things that are no longer serving them. Yoga instructor Shontel Booker will facilitate a series of culturally responsive yoga sessions as part of our post-election care efforts. These sessions will provide opportunity for community building, healing and mental health care for the purpose employee well-being. These sessions are inclusive and open to participants of all levels.

  • Monday | November 25 | Noon to 1 p.m. | room T.1400
  • Tuesday | December 10 | 9 to 10 a.m. | room T.1400

For more information about Dream In Color, you can visit Dream in Color Healing.

North Star Therapy Animal Session

North Star Therapy Animals is a group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about therapy animal services and benefits they bring to individuals in our communities. A therapy animal is a specially trained animal that partners with its human handler to volunteer at a variety of facilities and events, bringing joy, comfort, and companionship to those they meet. Handler, Susan Goll will be present with Beatrice “Bea” to provide animal support time for those that are interested.

  • Tuesday | December 17 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | room T.1400

For more information on Bea, you can visit Beatrice - North Star Therapy Animals of Pet Partners.

Black Faculty and Staff Alliance:

The Black Faculty and Staff Alliance (BFSA) Affinity Group serves as a source of support for all Black employees at Minneapolis College. The BFSA provides a space to discuss the individual and collective needs and concerns of Black employees on campus.

BFSA strives to promote a culture that stresses upward mobility and advancement in the workplace by creating an environment that enables:

  • Networking
  • Collaboration
  • Mentorship
  • Promoting a tradition of lifelong learning

Fall meeting dates TBD.

BIPOC Employee Resource Affinity Group:

The Minneapolis College Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC) Affinity group is established to foster the success of BIPOC employees at the college.

This is done by:

  • Creating an open forum to share and address common interests & concerns of BIPOC employees
  • Building community and supports that lead to the recruitment and retention of BIPOC employees at the college
  • Creating opportunities for professional development that aid in the retention of BIPOC employees and that ultimately lead to opportunities for advancement

Fall meeting dates TBD.

LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group

The LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group exists to affirm and support the lived experiences of employees that identify within the LGBTQIA+ community at Minneapolis College. The intention of this group is to create safer and inclusive spaces to engage in dialogue, and to provide guidance and education throughout campus on matters that impact the overall success and well-being of employees within LGBTQIA+ communities.

Fall meeting dates TBD.

Email equityandinclusion@minneapolis.edu for meeting location or zoom link.

Examining Whiteness Learning Circles:

The Examining Whiteness Learning Circle is a partnership with Equity and Inclusion Division and with white colleagues across campus. The Learning Circle's intention is to deepen our campus and individual practice of thoughtful reflections on select media related to whiteness, white supremacy, and anti-racism.

The goal is to increase individual awareness, knowledge, and skills to work towards an anti-racist campus community. The circles aim to supplement the anti-racism work Minneapolis College colleagues strive to do in their personal and professional lives. This forum is focused on white Minneapolis College employees, but all are welcome!