Explore Our Communities:
What Are Identity/Affinity Communities?
From research we have learned that college student participation in learning communities produces higher levels of academic effort and outcomes; student learning construction and assimilation; personal, interpersonal, social, and intercultural development; and retention and success.
At Drew we are promoting inclusive and integrated learning communities comprised by students, alums, family members, employers, faculty, staff, and community members. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) encourages active engagement in the Launch Career and Identity/Affinity Communities to pursue and facilitate customized cultural and career development opportunities, networks, support, programs, and resources.
There are 18 distinct Launch communities. About half of them have a career-development focus and the other half have a culture-development focus based on the identity/affinity of its members. The Launch Identity/Affinity Communities have joint oversight from the DEI Office for design, implementation, and function.
The Launch Identity/Affinity Communities are groups of like-minded people who care about the issues impacting that particular community, as well as the contributions of that community to the institution and beyond. Members of each Identity/Affinity Community collaboratively design and promote healthy and sustainable approaches to meeting their needs and contributing to their systems. Join as many communities as you choose; you are welcome here!
Kevin Oates C’20
Major: History
Minors: Italian and Political Science
Part of Drew’s 4+1 MAT program
Phi Alpha Theta: National Honor Society in History
Delta Kappa Pi: National Honor Society in Education
Gamma Kappa Alpha: National Honor Society in Italian.
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Posted by Yasmin Acosta
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Attending College As A Pagan Student
Everyone experiences a transition to college. This article from the Learn Religions website offers advice to Pagan students on topics such as practice their faith in residence hall rooms and meeting other Pagan students. Read the article.
Posted by Sari Pascoe
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College Attendance For Hispanics Increases, But Disparities Persist
For Hispanic students the dream of going to college is happening in greater numbers. But in spite of this positive growth, disparity still persists in terms of four year graduation rates. Read this interesting article from PBS News Hour to …
Posted by Sari Pascoe
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In the early 2000s, Alicia M. Reyes-Barriéntez attended a predominantly white institution. In her article, published by Inside Higher Ed, she shares five things she wishes she’d known when she started college as a first generation, Latinx student. Read the …
Posted by Sari Pascoe
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