Employee Interest Groups

This EIG is designed to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment at Wake Forest University for individuals interested in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture and experiences. Our goals are to:  

1. Foster connections, peer relationships, and a sense of belonging for any employee interested in AAPI culture and experiences. 
2. Educate group members and the broader university community (when appropriate) on AAPI culture, history, and current issues.
3. Advocate for and assist in initiatives that maximize the personal and professional development of all AAPI EIG members.

The Black Women Employee Interest Group (EIG) focuses on fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees interested in the culture and experiences of Black women staff and faculty at Wake Forest University. Membership and programming are open to all faculty and staff who support this mission. 

Guided by the spirit of Pro Humanitate, the Black Women EIG empowers and unites women across the Wake Forest University campus by creating intentional spaces for professional development, mentorship, and networking. We cultivate meaningful social and community engagement that honors diverse perspectives, experiences, and disciplines. Our goal is to promote an inclusive, campus-wide network for all employees interested in the culture and experiences of Black women staff and faculty at Wake Forest University 

Our 26-27 Goals include:

1. Revive and Thrive Conference: Hold the Fourth Annual Revive and Thrive conference in January 2027. It is a space designed to empower, inspire, and support the personal and professional development of all employees interested in the culture and experiences of Black women staff and faculty at Wake Forest University. Rooted in themes of well-being, belonging, and growth, the conference offers a meaningful opportunity for reflection, connection, and learning.
2. Professional Development and Networking Opportunities: Through curated Lunch and Learns and strategic campus partnerships, facilitating interdisciplinary networking and skill-building opportunities.
3. Social Connection and Community Wellbeing: Through the hosting and co-hosting of social gatherings, the group establishes intentional and restorative spaces designed for organic networking and holistic wellness. These initiatives foster deep community-building and extend to external outreach efforts, including curated donation drives for school supplies, food banks, or local shelters to serve the broader community.

CASA is a voluntary, employee-driven group organized around a shared interest in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino cultures, histories, languages, experiences, and community connections. The EIG fosters community, cultural learning, professional connection, and service opportunities for current WFU employees who support the goals of the group. 

Goals: 

1. Cultivate community and connection. Create welcoming spaces for employees to build relationships, exchange experiences, and strengthen a sense of community around shared interest in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino cultures and experiences.
2. Support professional development and networking. Provide opportunities for networking, mentoring, coaching, leadership development, and sharing resources that help current WFU employees thrive professionally.
3. Promote cultural learning and campus engagement. Offer programs that share cultural traditions, histories, languages, foodways, arts, and perspectives with interested WFU employees, and collaborate with campus partners where appropriate. 

The Disability Employee Interest Group is a voluntary group whose mission is to facilitate connections among Wake Forest employees interested in disability issues and to support outreach and education about disability issues among the WFU community. Our goals include:  

1. Provide a platform for networking and community building among Wake Forest employees interested in disability issues. 
2. Engage in outreach and education in the Wake Forest community about disability issues. 

The Early Career Professionals Employee Interest Group is a voluntary group whose mission is to provide a community for individuals interested in the experience of early career professionals. This group gathers, discusses, and learns about the resources available for professionals at Wake Forest University. The group provides regular social engagement through events and allows for faculty and staff from all over campus to network at EIG events.

Long term, the EIG would like to develop a mentorship program for interested members to connect with WFU faculty or staff who are willing and able to provide mentorship. This group seeks to assist members in understanding the Wake Forest community and contribute to the professional development of members. Our goals include: 

1. Recruiting faculty and staff from all over campus who are interested in the experience of early career professionals.  
2. Planning recurring meetings and events to establish a rapport among members and campus partners in a supportive environment. 
3. Fostering an environment of support for faculty and staff through sharing of resources and, networking, and professional development opportunities.

The mission of the International Employee Interest Group is to: 

1. Build community and visibility for all employees interested in International experiences. 
2. Provide support resources and connection to University’s offices responsible for immigration services.
3. Amplify cultural, linguistic, and social practices that are different than those of the United States, as faculty and staff incorporate those in their professional and academic spaces (from recruiting meetings to the classroom… and beyond).

Our goals for 2026-27 are to:

• G1: Grow our membership and engagement in activities held by the EIG. 
• G2: Create greater awareness of research and researchers participating in international endeavors at WFU. 
• G3: Explore cultural, linguistic, and social practices that are different than those of the United States.  

The Men of Valor — Black Men Employee Interest Group is a voluntary group whose mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment at Wake Forest University for employees interested in Black male culture and experiences. The group strives to foster an environment for empowering members to establish and sustain relationships, connections, and impact within and beyond the WFU community. 

There are two primary goals of the Men of Valor — Black Men Employee Interest Group:

1. Build an internal support system for all employees interested in Black male culture and experiences within the University (Reduce isolation, Address issues/concerns, Foster more community).
2. Foster an environment of connection for all employees interested in Black male culture and experiences (Networking, Mentoring and coaching).

The Parent and Caregiver Employee Interest Group is a voluntary group whose mission is to support staff and faculty with an interest in sharing resources for caregiving at Wake Forest University by building a community for those who are interested in the Group’s mission.  The Group supports members through a monthly coffee hour/debrief space, regular gatherings, and a Google group that shares institutional and local resources, events, news and tips. 

Our 2026-27 goals include: 

1. Resource sharing including caregiving camps, information about schools and daycares, books, workshops, and other ways to collect information 
2. Community creation through in-person events, virtual monthly meetings, summer play dates, and e-mail correspondence through broadcast lists 
3. Safe-space facilitation with candid, private conversations about work/life balance with caregiving obligations

The Wake Forest Queer Employee Interest Group is a voluntary group whose mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment at Wake Forest University for individuals interested in the experiences of the LGBTQ community. The group seves as a resource to Wake Forest University to positively influence the environment and intentionally cultivate a sense of community by creating awareness of our EIG, events, networking opportunities, and innovative ideas.

Our 26-27 goals include:

1. Fostering an environment of connection, inclusion and belonging for all employees interested in LGBTQIA+ experiences;
2. Creating avenues for members to communicate with each other about university policies, structures, events, and our experiences at Wake Forest;
3. Looking for opportunities to create or assist with programming and projects for all employees interested in LGBTQIA+ experiences, especially through collaboration with other EIGs and University entities.

The Women’s Employee Interest Group is a voluntary group whose mission is to build a supportive community and create professional networking opportunities for all employees interested in the experiences of women-identified individuals at Wake Forest University.

Our 2026-27 goals include: 

1. Promote networking opportunities on campus, 
2. Establish monthly virtual support spaces for informal touchpoints.