Employee Resource Groups Enhance University’s Diversity & Inclusion Efforts

By Valerie Hayes
Chief Officer for Diversity and Inclusion

Employee resource groups are important elements of an institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy. Employee resource groups (ERG) are comprised of employees who volunteer their time and energy to assist the university in creating and sustaining a welcoming environment to live, learn and work. At Stockton, ERGs also play a critical role in raising money for student scholarships, along with other scholarship fundraisers at the University. group of employees

Depending upon the structure of an institution of higher education, ERGs may be connected to diversity and inclusion offices (e.g., University of Cincinnati ERGs) or human resource offices (e.g., Kent State University ERGs). They may be jointly launched together by diversity and inclusion offices and human resource offices (e.g., UMass at Amherst ERG and Babson College ERGs) or launched as apparent stand-alone campus resources (e.g., Colgate University).

Although their existence within organizations play a critical role overall in the recruitment and retention of employees from diverse backgrounds and cultures, ERGs should never carry the full weight of the institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy. The full weight of an organization’s implementation of its diversity and inclusion strategy firmly rests with leadership and managers (Katz and Miller, 2020), with the support of the chief diversity officer.

Stockton currently has two active stand-alone ERGs, with a third stand-alone group on its way to becoming a full-fledged ERG. Stockton ERGs are open to employees who wish to join and support their mission, which is grounded in the University’s mission, vision and values. Each ERG is formally organized with a constitution and by-laws, distinguishing ERGs from employees who informally gather around a theme or topic.

The Council of Black Faculty and Staff, the longest-standing ERG, reached another milestone, turning 50 years old, along with Stockton University. The Council of Black Faculty and Staff was formed in 1971 to advocate concerns centered around the recruitment, hiring, promotion and retention of minority faculty, staff and students. The Council continues its mission today “to foster communication among the Stockton Community and State concerning the voice and position of minority personnel and students at Stockton.” Since its founding, the Council honored many Stockton University faculty, staff and alumni, Stockton clubs and organizations, in addition to prominent community leaders. The Council has been holding an annual awards banquet for the last 40 years, which has become a signature event and one of the most successful fundraising initiatives of its kind at Stockton, raising over $300,000 for undergraduate and graduate student scholarships. The Council’s current executive officers are Patricia Collins, John Gray, Ayisha Lee, Darnley Rosius and Arthur Jones.

Group at Unidos reception Unidos was established in 2018 to “help bring together La Comunidad at Stockton University” as a result of the feedback from the students of Los Latinos Unidos and faculty and staff who identify being from countries in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa and other traditionally ‘Hispanic’ or Spanish-speaking countries. Unidos has been instrumental with mentoring students, advocating for employees, as well as partnering with local Latinx/Hispanic community groups for educational programming, food distributions and scholarship fundraising efforts. Unidos co-hosted with the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County its second Nuestro Pueblo (our community) Awards Gala during Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the contributions of community and student leaders while also raising scholarship funds for current students at Stockton and for students in the community. Unidos executive officers are Arnaldo Cordero-Roman, Jessica Grullon, Roxana Perez- Nieves, Marques Johnson, and Yubi Peña.

Learning from the experience of the Council of Black Faculty and Staff and of Unidos who have gone before them, the International Faculty and Staff Network (IFSN) is the newest ERG that is in its formative stage. Based on an identified need, the IFSN was initiated with the support of the Employee Affinity Networks subcommittee of the Committee on Campus Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. The Employee Affinity Networks subcommittee assists in and supports the creation of new ERGs and provides continuing support as needed or as requested until the new ERG becomes self-sustaining.

The IFSN mission is to create a network of international faculty, staff, administrators and allies based on shared interests and concerns for Stockton’s international community and to create a more inclusive campus environment. The IFSN formed during its Meet and Greet held in February 2021, with about 30 interested employees attending the virtual event. IFSN executive officers have not been named yet.

The full potential of the three ERGs has perhaps yet to be realized at Stockton. As part of the University’s diversity and inclusion strategy, ERGs can provide the following inclusive support as we broaden our efforts to reach a diverse audience of employees and students.

Perspectives, ideas and thinking about marketing the University’s mission, vision and values.
Organized outreach to support recruitment and retention of underrepresented prospective employees and students.
Perspectives on diversity and inclusion, along with barriers that might impede the university’s efforts to be a more welcoming and inclusive campus community.
And much more. (Katz and Miller, 2020).

As one ERG member said, “You become the face of the movement you are seeking.” In the good and valued work that ERGs can perform in support of the University’s mission, we must not ever forget that employees volunteer their time and talents on top of their demanding regular positions. More importantly, during challenging times that face underrepresented communities, our ERGs often suppress their own emotions about national events that greatly impact who they are as individuals. We thank our ERGs for staying strong and being effective role models for our students, other employees and the communities they strive to serve.

References

Institutional excellence award: The nomination of Stockton University, Galloway N.J. (2018). Retrieved from https://stockton.edu/diversity-inclusion/documents/nadohe-submission-18.pdf

Katz, J. H., & Miller, F. A. (2020). ERG’s can’t do it alone: Traps to successful organization change efforts. Organization Development Review, 52(2), 18-22.

Mission of the Council of Black Faculty and Staff. Retrieved from Our Mission - Council of Black Faculty and Staff | Stockton University.

Employee Resource Groups Enhance University’s Diversity & Inclusion Efforts

References

Other Readings on ERGs