There are a variety of opportunities for faculty and staff to get connected to the UW community and beyond.  Staff associations, student centers/offices, and community resources are just a few of the growing ways on campus.  Learn more and join by clicking on the links below.

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups are supported by the UW to advance recruitment and retention efforts. Affinity groups are open to all UW employees.

Asian and Pacific Islander American Association
Recognizing and honoring the rich ethnic, cultural and social diversity of University of Washington Asian and Pacific Islander American faculty and staff, the purpose of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Faculty and Staff Association (APIAFSA) is to create, engage, maintain, and sustain a visible and supportive APIA community.

Black Association
The mission of the University of Washington Black Faculty and Staff Association is to foster a greater sense of community and mutual support among the Black faculty and staff of the University through mentoring and networking in an effort to provide an organized support system that will enhance the cultural diversity within the University, as well as enhance and support the academic mission of the University. 

Latinx Association
The University of Washington (UW) Latino/a Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA) is an advocacy, leadership development and social network that addresses Latino/a issues in higher education, including the educational concerns and advancement of the UW Latino/a community. 

Native Association
The Native Faculty and Staff Association seeks to focus on initiatives specifically related to the well being of the University of Washington’s Native Faculty and Staff

Q Faculty, Staff and Allies Association
The University of Washington Queer (Q) Faculty and Staff Organization is an organization whose purpose is to create a visible and supportive Queer community. 

Centers and Services

Disability Services
Our mission is to provide leadership to the University community in achieving employment and educational, programmatic and physical access for individuals with disabilities.

The Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE)
The GSEE sponsors educational and social events throughout the year that help students connect with faculty, alumni and other students. GSEE events are open to all University of Washington graduate students.

Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC)
The Ethnic Cultural Center promotes an inclusive and educational environment by providing programs and services which enhance the communication and exchange of multicultural perspectives and values.

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) supports the University’s compliance with the law and spirit of equal opportunity and affirmative action as it relates to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected veterans.

Faculty Advancement
The primary mission of the Office of the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement is to ensure that the UW recruits, promotes and retains an excellent and diverse faculty. They work within the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, and in direct consultation with the Office of the Provost on both individual faculty cases and on institutional policy issues.

Q Center
The Q Center today is the only professionally-supported resource, advocacy, and mentoring center for lgbtq students and lgbtq concerns at the University of Washington. It provides consulting for various departments on campus with regards to bolstering safety and respect for lgbtq students, and also coordinates numerous programs, social organizations, and educational initiatives.

Women’s Center
The UW Women’s Center is one of the largest University-based Women’s Centers in the nation, serving over 12,000 campus and community members each year. Our mission is to spread equity and diversity by opening doors for girls and women through education and access to resources that will help them achieve personal, professional, and academic success.

Veterans' Center
The UW Veterans Center is a place for veterans to connect with other veterans. In addition the center provides access to university resources specifically designed for veterans. It is not just an office, rather a place where veterans can find and build their community within the university.

University Councils and Departments

Diversity Council
The University Diversity Council is the primary advisory committee to the President on matters of diversity and equity at all three UW campuses.  The Diversity Council was founded in 2001, in the wake of Washington State Initiative 200 prohibiting "preferential treatment" based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting.

Native Life and Tribal Relations
The purpose of this site is to centralize the Native-focused resources available on the University of Washington’s campus in Seattle.  We understand the University can be a challenging environment for those coming from indigenous communities and difficult to navigate for anyone who is new to the campus.

Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMAD)
The mission of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity is to ensure the access and academic success of a diverse student population through the advancement of knowledge, academic excellence, diversity, and the promotion of values, principles, and a climate that enriches the campus experience for all.

Race & Equity Initiative
President Ana Mari Cauce launched a Race and Equity Initiative (REI) in spring 2015, challenging all of us — students, faculty, staff and university leadership — to take responsibility for addressing our own biases and improving our university culture.  The UW REI site shows different ways in which these issues are being addressed with increased funding, and a blog to inform of what is happening on and around campus.

UW Diversity Blueprint
The 2022-2026 Diversity Blueprint provides a set of high-level, aspirational goals. The goals outline an overarching framework to support academic and administrative units to design action plans that are appropriate to meet their unit needs.

Other 

Supplier Diversity
The University is committed to Supplier Diversity by maintaining purchasing practices that promote and expand contracting opportunities for diverse suppliers.

Diversity Statistics and Policies
Dedicated to tracking data/trends as it relates to diversity and promoting sound policies to affirm and protect diverse populations.