Employee Resource Groups

Columbus State Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have been busy building employee connections, engaging the campus in critical conversations, and addressing student and community needs. Check out these snap shots of recent ERG activities.

A new ERG is forming to support employees who are first- and second-generation immigrants. Check back at this page for updates.

May 2023 – The Black ERG held a panel conversation with members of the Columbus State Police Department.

April 2023 – The Women’s ERG sign’s up new members at the college In-Service Day.

April 2023 – Columbus State employees sign-up to be part of the Caring for Those Who Care ERG for parents and caregivers.

April 2023 – Members of the Black ERG gather at In-Service Day.

April 2023 – Members of the Prism ERG sign-up new members at In-Service Day.

March 2023 - The Prism ERG hosted a lunch and learn with Ramona Peel of the Equitas Health Institute. Participants from across the college learned about trans and non-binary inclusivity practices for the workplace.

March 2023 - The Caring for Those Who Care ERG reignited efforts to support employees who are parents and/or caregivers with a kick-off luncheon.

February 2023 - Members of the Black ERG awarded Columbus State student Bukhari Farah a full scholarship to attend the Civil Rights Heritage Bus Tour this spring.

January 2023 - Members of the Black ERG, Women’s ERG, and Prism ERG served together at Zora’s House during Columbus State’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service

December 2022 - Members of the Prism ERG gathered at Degrees for a year-end celebration.

December 2022 – Columbus State’s ERGs hosted a campus-wide vigil in memory of the victims of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs.

November 2022 - Members of the Women’s ERG collected menstrual supplies and diapers for Mid-Ohio Market and winter supplies for Columbus State’s Scholar Network of former foster youth.

October 2022 – Columbus State’s ERGs hosted a campus-wide panel discussion examining proposed legislation that attempted to limit what Ohio schools could teach about history.

Attend an ERG-Sponsored Event

Celebrate Pride Month!

June 5 | 11 AM - 3 PM | Columbus Campus Courtyard

In celebration of Pride Month, Prism ERG is hosting the following events. Please join us!

Columbus State Pride Celebration

June 5 | 11 AM - 3 PM | Columbus Campus Courtyard

Celebrate our LGBTQ+ employees and students! Stop by the tie-dye station to fashion your own Pride handkerchief and friendship bracelettes. Get your blood flowing with a Zumba session. Share your poetry, music, spoken word, or deep thoughts at the open mic. Join us for dancing, games, snacks, and more.

March with CState in the pride march

June 15 | 9 AM - 12 PM | Downtown Columbus

Join is in the Stonewall Columbus Pride March! We've got t-shirts on a first-come-first-served basis for those who don't have one from previous years.

Pride movie night: Nimona

June 20 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Columbus Campus Library Multimedia Studio

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc.

Refreshments included.

register on cougarconnect

safe zone trainings

Celebrate Pride by learning how to create affirming workplace and learning environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual students and employees.

June 25, 9 - 11 AM | Columbus Campus (in person)
June 27, 3 - 5 PM| Remote

Get Involved
Want to get involved? Attend one of these ERG sponsored events.

May 2024 Membership Gatherings

Women’s ERG | Thursday, May 9, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Member meeting on Teams
A World of Experience ERG | Friday, May 10, 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Member meeting on Teams
Prism ERG | Monday, May 13, 12-1 PM | Annual membership meeting in Mitchell Hall 303 and on Teams
African-American ERG | Tuesday, May 14, 12-1 PM
Caring for Those Who Care ERG | Thursday, May 16, 12-1 PM | Member meeting on Teams

Join an ERG or contact the ERG Leads listed below to attend one (or more!) of these ERG membership meetings.

Join an ERG!

Joining an ERG is easy! You can either use the "Join an ERG!" button below and select the ERG's you'd like to join, or you can contact the ERG leads listed below and let them know you want to join.

Join an erg!

African/African-American ERG

The African/African-American Employee Resource Group (AAERG) exists to build an awareness of the diverse cultures and distinction of Africans and African-Americans while advancing a diverse and inclusive work environment highlighting the experiences of African and African-American employees. The ERG is for individuals who belong to an ethnic group with total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa and/or people of all nationalities that identify as Black and their allies. Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 12 PM. Contact Marja Davis, Timothy Davis, Robyn Lyons-Robinson and/or Dr. Andrew Moss for more information.

Caring for Those Who Care ERG

We exist to lift up the Columbus State community we serve by empowering and encouraging employees who are caregivers and parents to live life to the fullest. For more information contact Melissa Lamar or Debbie Strain. Are you or do you know an employee who is a parent or caregiver experiencing a time of increased need?

Refer yourself or a colleague for help from our support network

Get alerts about opportunities to help employees who are parents or caregivers

Prism ERG

The Prism ERG strives to create and foster a community where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, intersex, and asexual employees feel they belong, are affirmed, and are empowered to engage. This ERG provides networking, educational, and social opportunities for the CSCC LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Meets on the second Monday of the month; times alternate between 12PM and 5:30PM. Contact Mat Stucky and Sage Vatke for more information. Read the Prism ERG Charter.

Would you like Prism to facilitate a Safe Zone training for your class or department? please contact us at SafeZoneScheduling@cscc.edu.

Women's ERG

The Women's ERG exists to connect, empower, and advance women personally and professionally. We welcome employees who identify as women and their allies to become members. Meets on the second Thursday of the month,11:30AM - 12:30PM. Contact Dr. Crystal Clark or Dr. Kelly Hogan for more information.

A World of Experience ERG

The purpose of A World of Experience ERG is to empower employees who identify as immigrants and/or children of immigrants by elevating our voices and experiences and contributing to a campus culture that nurtures our growth and development as new and rising leaders and advocates at Columbus State Community College. Contact Luz Salinas for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee Resource Groups at Columbus State are self-determined, College-sanctioned associations of faculty, staff, and administration organized around a specific minoritized identity (a social group that society devalues, restricts access to resources from, and withholds power from), a group of minoritized identities, or a collective goal that relates to diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.

Columbus State ERGs:

help attract, nurture, and retain a diverse workforce,
build inclusive workplace and learning environments,
confront legacies of discrimination within higher education workplaces and learning environments,

Research shows great benefits for employees and institutions who host Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). ERGs can help boost employee satisfaction, retention, and advancement. ERGs can also provide an avenue for meaningful dialogue between employees and institutional leaders.

What are the benefits of being a member of an ERG?

ERGs allow members to connect with other employees who share similar interests and a common bond or background. These employee-led groups are designed to meet the unique needs of each affinity or identity, and aid in fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with the College’s mission and values.

What happens in ERG meetings?

ERG participation is also a way to gain workplace leadership experience and build professional connections across the College.

What happens in ERG

meetings? Each ERG has its own culture that reflects the needs, wants, values and expectations of the affinity and identity it represents. ERG meetings can be an informal opportunity for members to come together and speak freely and confidentially about their perspectives and experiences as employees of the college. Sometimes ERGs bring in guest speakers or invite members to present on specific topics relevant to the group. Some membership meetings are used to plan upcoming events, discuss advocacy or education initiatives, or share a meal.

How often do ERGs meet?

Most ERGs hold membership meetings or gatherings once each month. Meetings can be within or outside of traditional work hours and can be on or off campus. Additionally, ERGs sometimes host service opportunities, professional development programming, or social events.

Can part-time employees join an ERG?

Absolutely! The ERG Program at Columbus State is designed to support all of its employees, regardless of part-time or full-time status. ERGs also welcome all forms of teaching and instruction staff, from tenured faculty to adjunct professors.

Am I limited to only joining one group?

A college employee may join multiple ERGs. People may have more than one affinity with which they identify. For example, it is understandable that a woman who also identifies as African-American and a parent may want to join all three respective ERGs.