Six Employee Network Groups Open to UW Campus Community

Six employee-led groups whose memberships are typically based on specific demographic or social identities are being offered this fall through the University of Wyoming’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The campus community is invited to join the Employee Networks (E-Nets) -- also known as Employee Resource Groups and Employee Affinity Groups -- that are voluntary employee-led groups open to individuals that match one or more of each person’s social identities.

The groups are dedicated to a diverse and inclusive environment that aligns with the mission, values and goals of an organization, according to the organizers.

Personnel from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, along with the E-Net team leaders, want to welcome employees back to campus during Phase 3 and invite individuals to join one of the E-Net groups.

“With the state of the world as it is, my hope is that folks will be able to connect with people who might not otherwise have the chance to meet,” says team leader Griffen Farrar, a coordinator from Residence Life and Dining Services.

School of Teacher Education Associate Professor Tao Han says organizers hope to continue conversations and cement relationships from last year.

“If you haven’t had the opportunity to get connected, here is your chance to get plugged in,” she says.

The E-Net groups and team leaders are:

-- African American and Black E-Net: Kwanna King, university registrar, Office of the Registrar, co-team leader; Farcett Patrick, regional admissions representative, Office of Admissions, co-team leader; and Tom Burman, director of Intercollegiate Athletics, champion.

-- Asian American and Pacific Islander E-Net: Han, co-team leader; Blossom Lumley, Financial Strategic Initiatives project manager, Division of Finance and Administration, co-team leader; and David Jewell, associate vice president for financial affairs, champion.

-- Latinx and Hispanic E-Net: Becky Garcia, Department of Music business manager, College of Arts and Sciences, team leader; and Ed Synakowski, vice president for research and economic development, champion.

-- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) E-Net: Farrar, team leader; Anne Alexander, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, co-champion; and Mary Ivanoff, chief of staff, Office of the President, co-champion.

-- Native American and Indigenous People E-Net: Melvin Arthur, assistant research scientist, Division of Kinesiology and Health, College of Health Sciences, team leader; and Robert Aylward, vice president for information technology (IT), champion.

-- Women’s E-Net: Jennifer Chavez, director of enterprise IT infrastructure and security, co-team leader; Paula Belknap, assistant lecturer, School of Nursing, co-team leader; Jennie Hedrick, assistant director of career and professional development, College of Business Student Success Center, co-team leader; and Tara Evans, general counsel, champion.

For more information, call the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at 766-6672, email diversity@uwyo.edu, or visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/diversity/.