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 a welcoming 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 [email protected].

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:

The Steering Committee