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 African American 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 African/African American 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 African/African American 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 African American 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, structural oppression, implicit bias, and other critical topics.

Columbus State’s ERG Program is a critical part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

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

A World of Experience Potluck Lunch

Tuesday, September 26, 12 - 1 PM | Library Multimedia Studio

The World of Experience ERG is kicking off the new academic year with a potluck lunch for members. If you are interested in joining this ERG, which supports employees who are immigrants or children of immigrants, please feel free to join us whether or not you are able to bring food to share.

In the Heights Movie Showing

Thursday, October 5, 12 - 2 PM | Library Multimedia Studio

Celebrate National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month! The World of Difference ERG invites employees and students for an afternoon showing of In the Heights. The 2021 film—a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes—celebrates the Latino and Caribbean cultures of Washington Heights while touching on contemporary issues of racism, immigration, gentrification and more.

National Coming Out Day

Wednesday, October 11, 11 AM - 2 PM | Columbus Campus Courtyard

Join the Prism ERG and Student Engagement and Inclusion in the Columbus Campus Courtyard for our National Coming Out Day Celebration. Tell your story, vibe to the music, grab some snacks, get an LGBTQ+ pride pin, and more! National Coming Out Day is a day to celebrate, raise awareness, and make space for all experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.

learn more

Affirmative (Re)Action Forum

Monday, October 16, 1-2:30 PM | WD 412 and on Teams

In June, the US Supreme Court ruled against the decades-long practice of race-based affirmative action in higher education admissions. Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a panel discussion and community conversation about the decision, it's potential impacts, and what comes next.

Salsa Lesson!

Tuesday, October 17, 12-1 PM | Columbus Campus Courtyard

Celebrate National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month! The World of Experience Employee Resource Group invites Columbus State students and employees for a salsa lesson on the Columbus Campus Courtyard. Dance instructor Carlos Rubio of Salsamente Dance Academy will lead us in a one hour lesson that will get your feet moving across campus like never before!

October 2023 Membership Gatherings

Prism ERG | Monday, October 9, 12 - 1 PM | Teams gathering
African/African American ERG | Tuesday, October 10, 12 - 1 PM | Hybrid
Women’s ERG | Thursday, October 12, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Teams gathering with guest speaker from The League of Women Voters

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 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/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 second Tuesday of the month at 12 PM. Contact Michelle Baker, Dr. Terrence Brooks, or Dr. Royce Carpenter 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. If you want to be alerted about opportunities to help colleagues during times of increased parenting or caregiving need, sign up for the support network alert list. You'll get a message when there is an employee who needs support and you can determine if you have the capacity to help at that time. You don’t need to be a parent or caregiver to be part of the support team!

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 George Johnson-Gamm 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 Kathy Lopez, Dr. Raquel Pina, or Luz Salinas for more information.

Start a New ERG!

Are you looking for a community that isn't represented here? We encourage you to consider starting a new ERG. To learn more about the process and benefits of forming an ERG you are welcome review the ERG Formation Process. But you don't have to do this alone! Contact ERG Manager Liz Rose-Cohen for help getting started with the ERG formation process. We want to help!

Apply to Form a New ERG