Below are some of the larger non-arts-specific affinity groups on campus. We've found that many of these groups have arts programming pop up throughout the year, so if you're looking for a larger community, starting here is a great idea!
Email: artsambassador@umich.edu
Instagram: @michiganarts
Focus/Mission: The Arts Ambassadors serve as the bridge between the arts and the University of Michigan Central and North Campus student population. This organization allows students to explore, appreciate, and create various forms of art. Active members can expect to participate in regular meetings and events, and contribute to our biweekly Press Play in the Arts at Michigan newsletter.
Email: bilateral@umich.edu
Instagram: @bilateralumich
Main Contact: Meera Kumar (President)
Focus/Mission: The mission of the group is to build a community of those interested in bisexual+ issues, to promote discussion and dialogue within said community, to encourage understanding within the greater University of Michigan community, and to provide opportunities for those interested in bisexual+ issues to socialize with others with shared concerns.
Connect: linktr.ee/bilateralumich
Email: the.black.student.union@gmail.com
instagram: @umichbsu
Focus/Mission: The purpose of the BSU is to promote and sustain an atmosphere that is conducive to the political, cultural, social, spiritual, economic, and educational growth of students of African descent and the University community at-large. We accomplish our mission by producing entertaining and educational programming, hosting bi-weekly mass meetings, offering funding to other organizations, and providing a safe atmosphere for our community to call home.
Email: csa.office@umich.edu
Instagram: @csaumich
Focus/Mission: The purpose of Chinese Student Association is to increase understanding and awareness about traditional Chinese and Chinese American culture through social and educational activities. We stress the importance of campus and community interaction in our programs.
Email: curltalk@umich.edu
Instagram: @curltalkumich
Focus/Mission: Curl Talk @ Umich creates a space to: eliminate negative stereotypes surrounding kinky and coily hair, educate about hair types and proper hair care and influence others to encourage assurance and embrace their hair and all hair types. This is done by facilitating discussions with students about natural hair and to encourage those students to educate their communities on what it means to embrace all hair beginning with providing students with assistance in their own self-care, especially hair care.
Email: fasa-off@umich.edu
Instagram: @fasa_umich
Focus/Mission: The Filipino American Student Association thrives on Filipino and Filipino American culture as the driving force behind its continuing efforts to educate others about the Filipino heritage.
CULTURE
To effectively and accurately communicate, cultivate, and exemplify Filipino culture and Filipinx/Filipinx American identities.
COMMUNITY
To foster an inclusive and welcoming space for all.
OUTREACH
To serve and connect with the University of Michigan, the Midwest, and the Philippines while expressing solidarity and engaging in advocacy with other organizations and marginalized communities.
Interested in becoming a member? Fill out this form!
Email: genapacore@umich.edu
Instagram: @genapa.umich
Focus/Mission: GenAPA is dedicated to hosting the largest Asian American culture show in the University of Michigan. We strive for community awareness, community service, and promoting Asian American culture. On an annual basis, GenAPA will host our show at the end of the Winter semester, showcasing the talents and culture of Asian Americans in the community, while advocating social justice and educating the community.
Email: iasaboard22@umich.edu
Focus/Mission: The Indian American Student Association is a space for members to create friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. We seek to preserve and celebrate Indian and South Asian culture while forging ahead and evolving as a community. The organization allows members to become active in social, cultural, and professional arenas. We provide opportunities for students to connect with each other, while building bridges with other student groups and the broader university community. Above all, IASA is an organization that holds the interests of its members at heart, and strives to create a genuine sense of inclusion.
Email: kasa-board@umich.edu
Instagram: @kasamichigan
Focus/Mission: This association exists to establish and maintain a community that promotes cultural awareness of Korean and Korean American culture at the University of Michigan. Our mission is to empower, inspire, and challenge Korean, Korean American, and non-Korean students to develop an appreciation for cultural diversity and their own heritage through educational, artistic, and social activities with the surrounding communities both on and off the UofM campus.
Email: lacasa.board@umich.edu
Instagram: @lacasaumich
Main Contact: Daisy
Focus/Mission: La Casa's mission is to promote the advancement and well-being of the Latinx/e community at the University of Michigan through the development of cultural, educational, professional, and social programs and initiatives.
Email: lsaeboard@umich.edu
Instagram: @lebaneseumich
Focus/Mission: The Lebanese Student Association is an organization aiming to unite and serve the Lebanese community on campus while educating the general student body of the University of Michigan about Lebanese culture and society. The association is committed to benefiting the Lebanese, the non-Lebanese and the non-Arabic communities while promoting Lebanese culture and heritage, thus adding to the diversity of the campus, as well as increasing public awareness about Lebanese.
Email: pmheard@umich.edu or eboardmixed@umich.edu
Instagram: @mixedatmichigan
Main Contact: Paris Heard
Focus/Mission: Mixed@Michigan is committed to fostering a community of multiracial, multiethnic, transnational adoptee, and international students. Together, we strive to further understand the complexities of the mixed-identity experience and actively participate in advocation, education, and support for mixed students’ well-being, identity exploration, and other pertinent issues.
Email: nasa.exec@umich.edu
Instagram: @nasa_umich
Focus/Mission: The Native American Student Association fosters community among Native students on campus and those interested in Native American/First Nations/Indigenous political issues, cultural practices, and language. NASA holds multiple events each semester, we invite you to join us!
Email: nbgeboard@umich.edu
Instagram: @nbg_umich
Focus/Mission: Notably Black and Gay was created to connect queer black students on the University of Michigan’s campus so fellowship is a core tenet. Notably Black and Gay is committed to creating an inclusive community, queering our university’s space, and creating cross-campus relationships. Education.Notably Black and Gay acknowledges the importance of education in constructing and understanding your racial and sexual identity. It is not enough to simply be gay so Notably Black and Gay recognizes education as a core tenet.
Email: sarinas@umich.edu
Instagram: @michiganpersians
Main Contact: Sarina Sadeghzadeh
Focus/Mission: The Persian Students Association is a non-partisan and non-religious volunteer student organization devoted to celebrating and raising awareness of the Persian culture around the University of Michigan campus. We aim to support and partake in Persian culture and heritage by organizing and sponsoring social events and activities that promote an understanding of our culture. PSA strives to build and maintain an environment of friendship and support for our students at the University of Michigan as well as in the greater community. Despite the name, membership is not restricted to students of Iranian descent, rather students of all ethnicities, cultures, religions, and ideas are more than welcome to join PSA.
Email: uaao.execboard@umich.edu
Instagram: @uaao.umich
Main Contact: SJ (Program Manager)
Focus/Mission: The United Asian American Organizations was established in 1988 to work in unity with the Asian American community on campus. We are a coalition group representing various Asian American organizations on campus. Our aim is to serve as the liaison and collaboration agent for diverse Asian American organizations at UM, promote awareness of Asian American issues, serve as a political voice for Asian American organizations on campus, and develop relationships with other POC groups on campus and Asian American organizations outside of UM.
Email: vsa-board@umich.edu
Instagram: @vsa_umich
Focus/Mission: Through numerous activities focusing on the celebration and exposure of Vietnamese culture, we hope to provide the necessary interaction between those of different backgrounds to build cross-cultural bridges and foster acceptance and awareness. As a dynamic and open organization, the Vietnamese Student Association prides itself on its diverse and unified membership and dedication to decreasing cultural tension on campus.