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.
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.
Join Our Cougar 5K Team: ERG Unity!
May 6 | 9 AM | Delaware Campus
The ERGs are joining together for the Cougar 5K Challenge with our inaugural team, ERG Unity! Join ERG Unity to raise funds for student book scholarships while building connections across affinities and identities.
Run or walk. In person or virtual. Make a donation. However you participate on team ERG Unity, you'll be contributing to student success.
March 2023 Membership Gatherings
- Women’s ERG | MARCH 9, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Big Lots VP of Talent Development Julie Holbein will speak to the Women's ERG on career management strategies, including growing where you are planted, cultivating your network, planning for the future, and advocating for yourself.
- Prism ERG | MARCH 13, 5:30-6:30 PM | Members meeting for dinner, networking, and fun at Union Cafe in the Short North.
- African American ERG | MARCH 14, 12-1 PM | Guest speaker and author Dede Miser will lead members in a leadership and financial wellness workshop. Participants will take home a copy of Miser's book, Six Steps to Move Your Career Forward. (While supplies last.)
Interested in attending one of these membership gatherings? Contact ERG Leads listed below to join an ERG.
Trans-Affirming Best Practices Lunch and Learn
March 23 | 12 - 2 PM | Center for Workforce Development (WD) Ballroom
Open to the College community
The Prism ERG is proud to welcome Ramona Peel of the Equitas Health Institute to the Columbus Campus for an informative and practical presentation on why it's important to get trans inclusion right and how to do it. Space is limited. Reserve your spot now.
Social Work and Counseling CEUs available.
Join an ERG!
Joining an ERG is easy! All you have to do is contact one of the ERG leads and let them know you want to participate.
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, Royce Carpenter,or Jamie Minor 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.
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 Katina Fitch, or George Johnson-Gamm for more information. Read the Prism ERG Charter.
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 Crystal Clark or Kelly Hogan 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!
In case you missed it ...
Dissecting "Divisive" Panel Discussion
On October 24, 2022, Columbus State's ERGs hosted a panel discussion about Ohio House bills 322, 327, and 616, which propose to limit what Ohio schools can teach about history, structural oppression, implicit bias, and other critical topics.