We are the Asian Faculty and Staff (AFS) affinity group at Northeastern University (NU). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an alarming increase of anti-Asian racism, xenophobia, and isolation. Therefore, we created AFS as a way to provide a collective space for Asian faculty and staff at NU to connect, build, and empower themselves and one another.
Our mission and vision include facilitating opportunities for affirming, nurturing, and celebrating lived experiences of Asian faculty and staff; to boost visibility and recognition of Asian faculty and staff; to create a network of Asian faculty and staff, and to stand in coalition with other identity-based affinity groups on campus and strive together to make NU an inclusive academic institution.
This year, we are working on increasing our networking and outreach efforts to connect more people interested in being part of AFS and to support one another on campus.
For any questions and/ or to learn more, please contact Matt Lee at mat.lee@northeastern.edu.
Asian Faculty and Staff Affinity Group Bylaws
Organization Purpose
The purpose of AFS is to provide a support network and professional resource for Asian and Asian American faculty and staff at Northeastern University (NU). Through community events and mentorship, AFS seeks to build community for Asian and Asian American identifying faculty and staff at Northeastern University across the global network. We are one of a number of race/ethnicity-based employee resource groups of Northeastern University. Our mission includes facilitating opportunities for affirming, nurturing, and celebrating lived experiences of Asian and Asian American faculty and staff at NU; increasing visibility and recognition; creating a network; and standing in coalition with other identity-based affinity groups as we strive together to make Northeastern an antiracist academic institution.
As a community, AFS will aim to promote the well-being of Asian and Asian American faculty and staff at Northeastern University. AFS would also advocate for our Asian and Asian American students on campus as well as other faculty, staff, and students who are also historically marginalized in higher education including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and LGBTQIA+ peers.
Our fundamental goals are to:
Connect with Asian and Asian American faculty and staff at Northeastern University, additional affinity spaces for historically marginalized peers, and local and national organizations.
Inspire each other via mentorship, personal narratives, storytelling, and receiving and giving support.
Thrive through our connection and inspiration.
The Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee meets once per month during the academic year, typically via Microsoft Teams.
As part of a community agreement, during such meetings, members agree to uphold the following:
• Respect all voices
• One voice at a time – one mic
• Throw glitter not shade
• Exercise self-care as needed
• What’s said here stays here, what’s learned here leaves here
This list of community agreements can be amended at the will of the Steering Committee.
Past Events
2024-01-29 Asian Faculty Staff x Black Faculty Staff Association Crossover Lunch
2023-12-07 Asian Faculty and Staff Group Gathering
2023-11-30 Taking Care of One Another in Times of Conflict
2023-10-18 Chai & Chat social with tea, soda, and local South Asian snacks
2023-10-04 Asian Faculty Staff October Lunch
2023-04-20 End-of-Semester Celebration with Cupcakes
2023-03.15 Spring 2023 networking lunch
2023-02-08 AFS Networking Event and Lantern Festival Celebration
2022-11-15 Fall Networking Lunch at Symphony Sushi
2022-03-31 Honoring Atlanta Victims and Uplifting APIDA Voices Amidst Anti-Asian Violence:
2021-03-03 Anti-Asian Violence Community Healing Space for Asian American faculty, staff, and students:
Steering Committee of the Asian Faculty Staff Group
Teaching Professor, Human Services Program
Chair of the Asian Faculty Staff Group
Vice Chair of the Asian Faculty Staff Group
Assistant Dean of Diversity Initiatives & Engagement, College of Arts, Media and Design
Communications Chair of the Asian Faculty Staff Group
Asian Faculty Staff Group Steering Committee member
Treasurer of the Asian Faculty Staff Group
Digital Communications Specialist in Information Technology Services
Asian Faculty Staff Group Steering Committee member