The Faculty & Staff Affinity Group program was launched in 2017 starting with the Black Faculty & Staff Affinity Group. Since that time, seven additional affinity groups have formed, including the LGBTQ+, Latino and Hispanic, People of Color, International (AU Global), Disability+, AANHPI, and Military-Connected Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups. 

Sign up here to join affinity group(s) listservs.

Please visit any of the Faculty & Staff Affinity Groups' pages to learn more about each one:

• Black Faculty & Staff Affinity Group  
• Disabililty+ Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
• International Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
• Latino and Hispanic Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
• LGBTQ+ Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
• People of Color Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
• AANHPI Faculty & Staff Affinity Group
• Military-Connected Faculty & Staff Affinity Group

Throughout our history, inclusiveness and diversity have been hallmarks of American University.

Our academic, social, and organizational strength is enhanced by our inclusiveness and respect for the unique identity of individuals reflected in their cultural traditions, beliefs, and viewpoints.

American University embraces diversity in its broadest sense, including diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, nationality, disability, socioeconomic standing, and intellectual viewpoint.

The university views diversity as an essential component of the educational experience of our students and an important indicator of our success in adapting to the dramatic demographic shifts that will occur in the decades ahead.

We will dedicate the necessary resources to recruiting, welcoming, supporting, and retaining outstanding students, faculty, staff, and leadership who will significantly improve the diversity of our community, with particular attention to the inclusion of underrepresented domestic minority students.

We encourage all of our community to participate in the many activities and events designed to start conversations and help us find our similarities and understand our differences. Here are some ways individual employees can help to foster Inclusive Excellence: 

1. Share your pronouns in your email signature and AU Zoom Account. Learn more via this Pronouns Guide.

2. Tell us how to pronounce your name. You can use a free online service like NameCoach and provide the link in your email signature or bio.

3. Sign up for diversity and inclusion trainings.

Kay has been a "house of prayer for all people" and is home to more than two dozen religious communities. Kay has championed the idea of unity in diversity, seeking to help each community live out its own vibrant faith as our way of celebrating religious diversity rather than trying to water our religious expressions down into a lowest common denominator kind of experience. Kay is a home for students, faculty, and staff of any and all faiths. All of our communities of faith are open to visitors who are either looking for religious community or who are simply curious to learn something about different religious traditions. All of our services are open to all.

Our unique looking building-a round structure with a sixteen-foot impressionist flame on top- sits on the north side of the university's Eric Friedheim Quad directly opposite the library on the south end. These two structures comprise the intellectual and spiritual "poles" of American University, reflecting the institution's commitment to both intellectual and spiritual pursuits, to "knowledge and vital piety combined."

The mission of the Veterans Lounge is to provide a space for the AU military community to gather for camaraderie and mutual support toward achieving academic objectives.

For faculty and staff, AU now has a Military-Connected Faculty & Staff Affinity Group. Learn more about them and consider signing up as a member.

Raising healthy and happy children can be as challenging as it is rewarding. This group brings together faculty and staff from across campus to share parenting experiences. Join the listserv today!