Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Two professionally dressed women sit together at a table

Employee Resource and Affinity Groups (ERGs)

SSU Employee Resource and Affinity Groups (ERGs) are voluntary and employee led. These groups are created and managed by university employees and receive collaborative support and modest funding from the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

ERGs can center on race, ethnicity, cultural and multicultural backgrounds, gender identity, disability status, sexual orientation, religion, military service and affiliation, and other shared identities, experiences and interests. Faculty, staff and administrators are encouraged to be a part of any ERG that they identify with.

At Salem State, ERGs advance a respectful and caring community by:

Serving as a vehicle for leveraging university shared governance.
Creating an open forum to share common interests/concerns and support one another in creatively addressing those concerns.
Contributing to an inclusive workplace through recruiting, retaining and providing a welcoming environment to new employees.
Providing networking and mentoring opportunities.
Maintaining an open dialogue between community groups and senior leadership to address issues, needs, and policies.

Guiding Principles for ERGs

ERG participation is voluntary and adhere to the university’s collective bargaining agreement.
All ERGs are organized by and open to all Salem State employees, including full-time, part-time and contract faculty, staff and administrators.
ERGs strive to provide long-term benefit to the university as well as professional and personal benefit to participants.
ERGs promote diversity, openness, understanding, belonging and inclusiveness.

How to Join or Create an ERG

If you are interested in joining an existing ERG (listed below), we encourage you to contact the existing ERG’s lead.

For additional information, support or assistance, please reach out to Jess Cook, Executive Assistant for Inclusive Excellence, who serves as the point of contact for ERGs across campus.

Employee Resource and Affinity Group Leads, Mission Statements and Objectives

The following ERGs are open to all faculty, staff and administrators in the university community.

Asian Employee Resource and Affinity Group

Asian ERG Leads

To join the Asian American Employee Resource Group, contact asianERG@salemstate.edu.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university’s Asian Employee Resource Group is to foster networking, professional development, mentoring, and leadership opportunities with a focus on the recruitment, retention, learning, and advancement of Asians at this institution.

Objectives

Embrace a culture of inclusion and build awareness and appreciation for diversity
Participate in the development of a diverse, pluralistic, and international community, which is one of the cornerstones of our university’s overall mission
Facilitate networking and career development opportunities by connecting members with similar professional and personal interests by developing and encouraging a supportive network of Asian Americans in the university community
Facilitate informal mentoring opportunities by providing guidance, advice, and training as well as sharing the exciting work being done throughout the university
Sponsor professional and personal development workshops, seminars, and lectures featuring distinguished speakers
Ensure that information about events of interest and members’ achievements is effectively distributed throughout the university
Foster awareness of Asian issues by providing information to the university community about the historical and present contributions of Asians to American culture and society
Promote and encourage shared cultural and social interests of the AERG membership, and the sharing of these interests with the greater university community
Facilitate academic and administrative policies that recognize the professional accomplishments of the Asian faculty and staff and that reinforce worker equity for all Asian employees at the university
- Support the dignity of each member’s professional and working careers, giving assistance in the areas of promotion, tenure, upward mobility, academic success, and fair treatment

Black Employee Resource and Affinity Group (BERG)

BERG Lead
Vacant – leadership opportunity available

To join the Black Employee Resource Group or express interest in leading, contact BERG@salemstate.edu.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university’s Black Employee Resource Group is to foster networking, professional development, mentoring, and leadership opportunities with a focus on the recruitment, retention, learning, and advancement of Black people at this institution.

Objectives

Participate in the development of a diverse, pluralistic, and international community, which is one of the cornerstones of our university’s overall mission
Facilitate networking and career development opportunities by connecting members with similar professional and personal interests by developing and encouraging a supportive network of Black people in the university community
Facilitate informal mentoring opportunities by providing guidance, advice, and training as well as sharing the exciting work being done throughout the university
Sponsor professional and personal development workshops, seminars, and lectures featuring distinguished speakers
Ensure that information about events of interest and members’ achievements is effectively distributed throughout the university
Foster awareness of issues in the Black community by providing information to the university about the historical and present contributions of Black people to American culture and society
Promote and encourage shared cultural and social interests of the BERG membership, and the sharing of these interests with the greater university community
Facilitate academic and administrative policies that recognize the professional accomplishments of Black faculty and staff and that reinforce worker equity for all Black employees at the university
- Support the dignity of each member’s professional and working careers, giving assistance in the areas of promotion, tenure, upward mobility, academic success, and fair treatment

Jewish Employee Resource and Affinity Group (JERG)

JERG Leads

To join the Jewish Employee Resource Group, contact JERG@salemstate.edu.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university’s Jewish ERG is to promote the personal and professional growth and support of all Jewish faculty, staff, and administrators employed in any capacity at the institution. The ERG is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive work environment for members and allies of the Jewish community.

Objectives

Embrace a culture of inclusion and build awareness and appreciation for diversity
Participate in the development of a diverse, pluralistic, and international community, which is one of the cornerstones of our university’s overall mission
Facilitate networking and career development opportunities by connecting members with similar professional and personal interests by developing and encouraging a supportive network of Jewish people in the university community
Facilitate informal mentoring opportunities by providing guidance, advice, and training as well as sharing the exciting work being done throughout the university
Sponsor professional and personal development workshops, seminars, and lectures featuring distinguished speakers
Ensure that information about events of interest and members’ achievements is effectively distributed throughout the university
Foster awareness of Jewish issues by providing information to the university community about the historical and present contributions of Jews to American culture and society
Promote and encourage shared Jewish cultural and social interests of the ERG membership, and the sharing of these interests with the greater university community
Facilitate academic and administrative policies that recognize the professional accomplishments of Jewish faculty and staff and that reinforce worker equity for all Jewish employees at the university
Support the dignity of each member’s professional and working careers, giving assistance in the areas of promotion, tenure, upward mobility, academic success, and fair treatment
Promote collaboration and understanding and allyship between diverse groups and intersectional identities on campus
In a climate of rising antisemitism, provide a welcoming and supportive space where all are free to express their views, to speak out without antagonism, and to seek help and support
Promote Jewish values of chesed (kindness) to all on campus.

Latinx Employee Resource and Affinity Group

Latinx ERG Leads

To join the Latinx Employee Resource Group, contact latinxERG@salemstate.edu.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university’s Latinx ERG is to foster networking, professional development, mentoring, and leadership opportunities with a focus on the recruitment, retention, learning, and advancement of Latinx members at this institution.

Objectives

Embrace a culture of inclusion and build awareness and appreciation for diversity.
Participate in the development of a diverse, pluralistic, and international community, which is one of the cornerstones of our university’s overall mission.
Facilitate networking and career development opportunities by connecting members with similar professional and personal interests by developing and encouraging a supportive network of Latinx faculty and staff in the university community.
Facilitate informal mentoring opportunities by providing guidance, advice, and training as well as sharing the exciting work being done throughout the university.
Sponsor faculty and staff for professional and personal development workshops, seminars, and lectures featuring distinguished speakers, and ensure that information about events of interest and members’ achievements is effectively distributed throughout the university.
Foster awareness of Latinx issues by providing information to the university community about the historical and present contributions of Latinx peoples to American culture and society.
Promote and encourage shared cultural and social interests of the Latinx ERG, and the sharing of these interests with the greater university community.
Facilitate academic and administrative policies that recognize the professional accomplishments of the Latinx faculty and staff and that reinforce worker equity for all Latinx employees at the university.
1. Support the dignity of each member’s professional and working careers, giving assistance in the areas of promotion, tenure, upward mobility, academic success, and fair treatment.

LGBTQ+ Employee Resource and Affinity Group

LGBTQ+ ERG Leads

To join the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, email Rita Colucci and Susan Edwards.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university’s LGBTQ+ ERG is to promote the personal and professional growth and support of all faculty, staff, and administrators employed in any capacity at the institution. The ERG is committed to creating a welcoming, safe and supportive work environment for members and/or allies of the LGBTQ+ community. The ERG promotes an affirmation of the unique intersectionality of identities that compose the LGBTQ+ community through recruitment, retention, professional development, networking, mentorship, and accessing various resources.

Objectives

Embrace a culture of inclusion and build awareness and appreciation for diversity.
Participate in the development of a diverse, pluralistic, and international community, which is one of the cornerstones of our university’s overall mission.
Facilitate networking and career development opportunities by connecting members with similar professional and personal interests by developing and encouraging a supportive network of LGBTQ+ faculty, staff and administrators and/or their allies in the university community.
Facilitate informal mentoring opportunities by providing guidance, advice, and training as well as sharing the exciting work being done throughout the university.
Sponsor faculty, staff and administrators in an effort to expand their personal and professional development though participation in workshops, seminars, and lectures featuring distinguished speakers that have or continue to impact the LGBTQ+ community.
Promote the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community at the university through the effective dissemination of faculty, staff, and administrator contributions and achievements within their work to advance the progress of our collective community.
Foster awareness of LGBTQ+ issues by providing information, perspective, and context to the university community about the historical and present contributions of LGBTQ+ peoples to American culture and society.
Develop and facilitate social experiences for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies that contribute to strong and supportive relationships between faculty, staff, and administrators with the intention of furthering networking and mentorship opportunities.
Support and affirm university policies and positions that recognize the integral role of LGBTQ+ community members in contributing to the advancement of social justice and global citizenship.
1. Support a commitment to worker equity for all LGBTQ+ faculty, staff, and administrators in their continued efforts to maintain dignity around their professional careers by offering assistance and mentorship in the areas of promotion, tenure, upward mobility, academic success and fair treatment in the workplace.

People with Disabilities Resource and Affinity Group (PWDERG)

PWDERG Acting Lead

To join the People with Disabilities ERG or express interested in leading the group, contact jcook2@salemstate.edu.

Mission Statement and Objectives forthcoming.

Women's Empowerment Employee Resource Group

Women’s ERG Leads

To join the Women Empowerment Employee Resource Group, contact WERG@salemstate.edu.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university’s women’s resource group is to develop programming on campus that provides support, promotes collaboration, fosters networking, and encourages education and advancement of women on campus.

Objectives

Outreach to the Salem State community to understand the issues they’re facing as working women and develop programming and tools that educate and provide support to women.
Facilitate collaboration and encourage mentorship for emerging women leaders.
Sponsor professional workshops that provide relevant tools that women need to succeed in the workforce.
1. Host events that address current issues women are facing.