Harper College

Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Group photo

Organizations in higher education and the private sector have a long history of partnering with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) as a way to build community and to improve recruitment and retention of diverse talent. Harper’s ERGs are open to all employees. The ERG leaders and participants are voluntary employees who connect and support Harper college by: 

  • Helping to build community
  • Improving recruitment and retention of diverse employees
  • Fostering an inclusive environment
  • Educating campus leadership on pertinent topics
  • Ensuring that administration is aware of important employee concerns

ERGs are supported by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Harper College. If you would like to establish an ERG at Harper College, we invite you to complete an application. If you are interested in establishing other employee affinity groups, please contact Amanda Duval, Chief Human Resources Officer at da25828@harpercollege.edu.

ERG’s at Harper operate under the leadership of Dr. Tamara Johnson, who also oversees the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She meets with the leadership of the ERGs on a regular basis and coordinates programs that are planned by all four ERGs collectively.

Harper currently has four ERGs:

DREAM — Diverse Relationships Engaged in Affirming Multiculturalism
DREAM serves to enhance the quality of life and campus climate by promoting participation and inclusion of all employees of color in the workforce at Harper College. DREAM was established in April 2009.

LAND — Learning about Abilities, not Disabilities
LAND serves as a support network for employees who have disabilities or use accommodations for access and provides campus awareness about the challenges and opportunities that employees with disabilities encounter on campus. LAND was established in 2014.

SAFE @ Harper — Staff, Administrators, and Faculty for Equality
SAFE works to provide leadership on aspects of College life from an LGBTQIA+ employee perspective in order to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for full participation in teaching and service by all employees, regardless of employee group, sexual orientation, or gender identity. SAFE was established in 2014.

VOICE -- Voice of Immigrants Committed to Equity

VOICE serves as support network for the immigrant employees at Harper College and works to increase visibility of Harper immigrant employees by offering a space where they can share their experiences on the Harper campus. VOICE was established in 2024.

Last Updated: 4/10/25