Celebrating unique identities is an important part of our work with alumni and friends across the globe. It is our mission to offer exceptional opportunities to create and maintain meaningful connections with one another and with the University of Rochester. Whether it be a film screening, networking events, conversations, or social hours, it is our commitment to provide resources and experiences for you, for whatever you need, wherever you live.
As active participants in various multicultural, diversity, and inclusion-focused initiatives, we work closely with our partners in the Office of Mentorship and Student Advocacy, Office of Faculty Development and Diversity, Student Activities, David T. Kearns Center, and with other affiliated groups.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion webinar library
This series of videos celebrates unique identities. It is our mission to offer exceptional opportunities to create and maintain meaningful connections with one another and with the University of Rochester.
Black Alumni Network
The Black Alumni Network is an inclusive leadership organization that seeks to empower, connect, and celebrate the University of Rochester Black Community. This group encourages communication and cooperation between alumni, students, friends, faculty, and staff who are committed to the advancement of people of the African diaspora. The Black Alumni Network fosters a network for personal and professional connection and provides a sense of community and family for alumni of color.
First-Generation Network
What does it mean to be a First-Generation student? It means that one is the first or one of the first members of a family to go to college. The First-Generation Network welcomes those who share in the first-generation experience and those who would like to participate in supporting first-generation college students and alumni from the University of Rochester.
Latin Alumni Network
The Latin Alumni Network is an inclusive community of volunteers. We provide alumni, students, faculty, and staff who identify as Latin/Hispanic with opportunities to engage, network, and mentor. We work with the University to develop community-driven programming grounded in the richness of the Latin/Hispanic culture and identity.
LGBTQ+ Network
The University of Rochester LGBTQ+ Network is an inclusive leadership organization of alumni, students, friends, faculty, and staff that honors the history, celebrates the present, and fosters the future of LGBTQ+ excellence at the University.
Women’s Network
The Women’s Network has a mission to harness and celebrate the rich contributions of women around the globe who are part of the University of Rochester family. Through dynamic programming and engaging conversations, the Network will help members connect and support one another. We invite you to take an even more active role in our community. Together, we can do more, change more, and inspire more.
REAL Conversations
REAL–Rochester’s Equity & Access Leadership–Conversations is a lecture and discussion series that offers authentic discussions featuring brave and candid dialogues around equity, measurable action, and meaningful change. The series is presented by the Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement in partnership with the University’s Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Diversity Advisory Council.
Diversity Advisory Council
The Diversity Advisory Council is a national volunteer body responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and feedback to the University of Rochester on diversity and inclusion initiatives for its alumni and students. Specifically, the Council Identifies specific areas of opportunity for increased representation and inclusion of diverse alumni and students, serves as a central advisory body for identity-based affinity groups, and assesses and reports on progress of alumni and student diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Education verification: diploma requests
In support of our transgender and gender-expansive alumnx, the University of Rochester will provide a complimentary, no-cost, reprint of diplomas for members of these communities so that this important symbol of their time at UR, which hangs in offices across the world, represents who each of our graduates are authentically. To view more alumni benefits and resources, visit our comprehensive benefits page.
Annual Diversity Conference
Each year the University of Rochester’s Diversity Conference brings together the University of Rochester and Greater Rochester communities, highlighting a common theme that guides the focus of conversations for the daylong event. Diversity-related topics may involve, but are not limited to: race/ethnicity, class, gender, culture, sexuality or orientation, disabilities/abilities, religion, or age.
Tell us about yourself
Please help us provide you with relevant information related to diversity and inclusion initiatives by updating your information.
Encompass e-newsletter
In support of the University’s mission and culture of respect, the Office of Equity and Inclusion is pleased to present Encompasss––an e-newsletter designed to share updates on the latest news, upcoming events, and more. It’s the newest way to get Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion news from around the University. Check out the latest issue or visit the archive for past issues.
Contact us
Dr. Nkiruka (Nky) McGinnis joined the Advancement team at the University of Rochester in 2022. She brings over 20 years of higher education advancement and alumni engagement experience working at the University of Pittsburgh, American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University and Towson University. At these institutions, she has focused on both fundraising and engagement strategies. She has served as a conference presenter for multiple higher education advancement organizations and is an active member of the University of Rochester’s Advancement EDI committee. With a passion and expertise in working with identity-based affinity volunteers and as a leader in higher education advancement, she looks forward to continuing to build and strengthen engagement efforts within identity-based affinity networks and EDI programming while also facilitating strategies for supporting EDI fundraising priorities.
