Affinity Group
What are Affinity Groups?
Affinity Groups are a collection of faculty and staff who actively engage in communication and/or gather around a centrally unifying purpose, mission, background or activity.
Start a New Affinity Group
²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ faculty and staff can establish and charter a new affinity group by following these steps:
- Appoint and document the selection of officers
- Adopt bylaws
- Submit application form, documentation of officers and the adoption of bylaws to the University’s Affinity Group Liaison (Tony Yardley, ) in the Office of Human Resources for approval.
Approved ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ Affinity Groups
Wellness Works
To foster positive behavioral change through wellness education, mentoring the development of healthier environments, peer support, and offering employees support through existing ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ wellness resources and additional programmatic efforts.
Contact:
Lisa Haynes
940-898-2256
Self subscribe to the Wellness Works listserv here
²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ Christian Fellowship in Academia
To provide a place where ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ Christian employees are supported and encouraged through our Christian faith, share in fellowship with one another, and joyfully participate as servants of God in addressing the needs of others within the university community.
Contact:
Laura Trujillo-Jenks, PhD
940-898-2447
Maintaining Motherhood in Academia (MMA)
MMA strives to provide support for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ faculty and staff who self-identify as academics and mothers as well as provide a voice for mothers in academia.
Contact:
Jackie Hoermann-Elliott
jhoermannelliott@twu.edu
Brandi Felderhoff
bfelderhoff@twu.edu
TWQ: LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Affinity Group
TWQ works to provide a space and a sense of belongingness for faculty & staff who identify as LGBTQ+ at the university for current and future LGBTQ+ employees and allies.
Contact:
Leslie Fredrickson
lfredrickson@twu.edu
TBFSA: Black Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
To create a community of support that fosters professional growth, success, and camaraderie among Black faculty and staff at ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ. While fostering community within the employee group, we also hope to create and advocate for resources for Black students at the university.
Contact:
Tanisha Freeman, MBA, LSSYB
tfreeman1@twu.edu
Unidxs: Latinx Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
Unidxs - Latinx Faculty & Staff Affinity Group works to create a community for growth and professional development, success sharing, networking and mentorship within the Latinx community of professionals at Texas Woman’s University. We aim to dismantle negative misconceptions of the Latinx community and develop positive perceptions that empower the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ Latinx population.
Contact:
Christine Torres
713-794-2072
Young Professionals in Higher Education (YPiHE)
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Young Professionals in Higher Education (YPiHE) is an employee affinity group at ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÏÂÔØ that is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and professional growth among faculty and staff members who identify as "Gen Z," "Millennial," or "young at heart." Our mission is to provide networking opportunities, social events, and professional development resources across the Denton, Dallas, and Houston campuses.
Contact:
Austin Hammond
ahammond@twu.edu
Page last updated 4:35 PM, October 9, 2025