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CBS affinity groups

CBS affinity groups bring CBS students with shared identities together to share experiences as CBS students. Currently CBS offers six affinity spaces for our undergraduate students. Between gatherings, students are encouraged to utilize the Google Group to engage with other members of the group. All approved members have access to send messages to the group and are encouraged to do so! This email group will also be used by staff to send updates regarding the affinity group and other topic-related opportunities.

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BIPOC Affinity Group

This group is open to all CBS students who identify as black students, indigenous students, and students of color. To receive updates regarding the affinity group and other opportunities for students of color and indigenous students in CBS, please join our email list at z.umn.edu/CBSBIPOCAffinity.

For any questions, email Mimi Tran at mvtran@umn.edu.

LGBTQ+ Student Affinity Group

This group is open to all CBS students who identify as LGBTQ+. To receive updates regarding the affinity group and other opportunities for LGBTQ+ identifying students in CBS, please join our email list at z.umn.edu/CBSLGBTAffinity.

For any questions, email Charlie Ellis at cwellis@umn.edu or Rachel Perlin at perli042@um.edu.

International Student Affinity Group

This group is open to all CBS students who identify as international students. To receive updates regarding the affinity group and other opportunities for international students in CBS, please join our email list at z.umn.edu/CBSIntlAffinity.

For any questions, email Chenyu Guo at cguo@umn.edu

Wellness Community

This group is open to all CBS students who are interested in participating in conversations related to mental health, stress management, and wellness within the CBS community. To receive updates regarding the affinity group and other opportunities related to health and wellness, please join our email list at z.umn.edu/CBSWellnessCommunity.

For any questions, email Natasha Bellefeuille at npelovsk@umn.edu.

Whiteness Student Accountability Group

This group is open to all white-identifying CBS undergraduate students who are committed to combating racism and white supremacy. The group will utilize existing resources to examine oppression and the ways that whiteness, white supremacy, and racism show up in our lives and actions. Our hope is that the group will be a brave space to reflect, learn, grow and most importantly, keep ourselves and CBS accountable through action. To participate and receive updates regarding the accountability group, please complete the interest form at z.umn.edu/CBSWhiteAccountability.

For any questions, email Aryn Lipnicki at alipnick@umn.edu

Women in CBS Affinity Group

This group is open to all woman-identifying CBS students. To receive updates regarding the affinity group and other opportunities for women in CBS, please join our email list at z.umn.edu/WomeninCBSAffinity.

For any questions, email Aryn Lipnicki at alipnick@umn.edu.


Campus-wide identity-based programs

CBS students are active participants in cultural organizations across the University, and the college claims many past winners of the Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) Award. Meet past winners. The University offers many opportunities to become more involved in multicultural programs and organizations across campus. The Office for Equity and Diversity houses some of these programs and resources.

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Student Organizations & Student Cultural Centers

Some of the most influential and active organizations are our 2nd floor cultural centers in Coffman Union. The state-of-the-art 2nd floor offers space for studying and community gathering. Each cultural center provides educational opportunities, social connections, and a safe space for their identity group.

  • American Indian Student Cultural Center (AISCC)
  • Asian American Student Union (ASU)
  • Black Student Union (BSU) 
  • Disabled Student Cultural Center (DSCC) 
  • La Raza Student Cultural Center 
  • Queer Student Cultural Center (QSCC)
  • Al-Madinah Student Cultural Center (AMCC)
  • Minnesota International Student Association (MISA)
  • Feminist Student Activist Collective (FSAC)

For students interested in organizations that exist at the intersections of identity and the study of STEM, the following organizations may be of interest:

  • American Indian Students in Science and Engineering (AISES) 
  • oSTEM
  • Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS)
  • Association of Multicultural Scientists (AMS) 
  • Somali Association for Pre-Health students
  • Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
  • Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 

North Star STEM Alliance

The North Star STEM Alliance is a partnership of Minnesota colleges, universities, and community organizations with the goal of increasing the number of underrepresented students receiving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) bachelor's degrees in Minnesota. The North Star STEM Alliance offers opportunities and programs aimed at helping students to succeed academically through:

  • Mentorship
  • Connections and funding undergraduate research opportunities
  • Funding for undergraduate research
  • Travel to scientific conferences
  • Leadership within the alliance
  • Academic support
  • Networking events

Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE)

The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE) prioritizes the academic lives of students from historically marginalized backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree within the context of a predominantly white campus. 

  • Mentorship
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Academic support
  • Networking events

Circle of Indigenous Nations

The Circle of Indigenous Nations fosters an environment that allows students to feel a sense of community on campus. It contributes to the strengthening and development of all students through culturally specific services and activities.

Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life

The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life serves students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, allies and many other gender and sexual orientation-creative identities. Their work centers around four fundamental tenets of education, advocacy, outreach, and support.