New Affinity Groups for Various Identities
Learn about the latest type of student engagement in Honors
Within a community of diverse backgrounds, Honors students can now connect to others with similar identities through several affinity groups. LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Jewish and out-of-state groups kicked off last semester and have informal, social meetings with times and locations determined by student feedback.
Honors strategic initiatives and partnerships coordinator TehQuin Forbes serves as the adviser for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC groups. These groups had various events throughout the Fall, including a bring-your-own luncheon and a movie screening. Forbes said attendance varied and reached up to 20 students.
“The goal is to give honors students an opportunity to meet one another. Ideally, their friendships and mentor relationships originate at the affinity group meetings but [continue] outside of affinity groups,” Forbes said.
The newer pair of groups – those for Jewish and for out-of-state students – had their first meetings in November in the Walker Hall Honors conference room. Their adviser, pre-health coordinator and adviser Gregg Henderschiedt, was pleased with the turnout and looks forward to seeing more students network and make friends.
“It’s all about connections,” he said.
Students interested in finding out more about the Jewish and out-of-state affinity groups should email Henderschiedt at greggh@honors.ufl.edu, and those interested in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC groups should email Forbes at tforbes@honors.ufl.edu.
Written by UF Honors Communications Fellow, Bari Weiner. Learn more about Honors Affinity Groups here.
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