Happy Labor Day and NLC Highlights by Dr. Paula Peinovich, President

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associate's degree, bachelor's degree, Labor Day, Labor Studies, National Labor College, online degree, online learning

President Paula Peinovich

Greetings! In honor of Labor Day and the traditional start of the academic year, I am writing to share highlights from the past year and our goals for the upcoming year.

Since February, NLC community members have engaged in an ambitious planning process designed to chart the next phase of the College’s development. In characteristic NLC style, the conversations about our future have been spirited and inclusive. These ideas have been distilled into our strategic plan for 2013-2016.

We continued to make progress on a number of existing priorities, including:

The introduction of the Associate of Arts degree program which had its official launch on July 1, 2013, with Professor Candace Archer as the first director. The AA degree program will provide students with the foundation to succeed in NLC’s bachelor degree programs or at any other 4-year college or university.

In response to demand from labor union members, we created a certificate in arbitration and grievance handling.

We had an outstanding year for faculty hiring, including the successful recruitment of three leading academics:

• Dr. Deborah Robinson, Director, Emergency Readiness and Response Management Program
• Dr. Candace Archer, Director, Associate of Arts Degree Program
• Dr. Diane Frey, Director, Labor Studies Program

Major administrative recruitments include Kia Kuresman, Academic Advising; Lucas Sifuentes, Enrollment Management; D Denny, Financial Aid; Jacinta Kelly, Finance; and Jeff Bria, Registrar.

Several faculty members took on new leadership roles at the College: Dr. Dan Katz was appointed Provost; and Julie Mendez-de Leon was named Assistant Dean for Special Academic Programs.

We also had some changes to our dedicated Board of Trustees. The terms of several members of our Board of Trustees ended and we give the following individuals our heartfelt appreciation.

• Gerald McEntee, AFSCME
• John Gage, AFGE
• Leo Gerard, USW
• Edwin Hill, IBEW

We also welcomed several new members:

• David Durkee, BCTGM
• Matthew D. Loeb, IATSE
• Fred Redmond, USW
• Jack Marco, The Marco Consulting Company
• Carrie Biggs-Adams, Student Representative

The College is continuing the process of moving its offices to downtown Silver Spring. We are finalizing the lease, with the intention of moving in December or January.

NLC has also signed on with real estate broker CBRE to undertake a new marketing campaign to sell the campus property. Since relisting, 34 different entities have signed non-disclosure agreements with us which allow them to review documents and materials pertaining to the property. We have already given tours of the property to many of these entities and have more tours scheduled.

National Labor College continues to build our student body. Enrollment in our degree programs is up more than 65% in the past two years with students from almost every union. This year’s graduating class of 83 represented 23 unions. Our students work in a variety of fields and plan to use their degrees to advance in their current jobs, go into new professions, or continue with higher education at institutions such as Concordia University, Catholic University, and University of Maryland – Baltimore County.

We are able to fulfill our mission making higher education available to workers, to prepare union members, leaders and staff for the challenges of a changing global environment; and to serve as a center for progressive thought and learning largely because of the generosity of our supporters. Preliminary reports indicate that fundraising efforts were strong last year. It was particularly gratifying to receive a gift of $3 million from American Income Life.

Once again, many thanks for a memorable year marked by notable achievements. National Labor College is a remarkable institution, with students, faculty, staff, and alumni distinguished by their intellectual curiosity, dedication to the mission, and desire to build the labor movement one student at a time. I have been honored to meet so many members of the community this year, and I look forward to many, many more such opportunities.

Sincerely,

Paula E. Peinovich

President

NLC Becomes a Family Tradition for a Father and Son

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bachelor's degree, Emergency Readiness and Response Management, Ironworkers, Labor Education, National Labor College, online learning, scholarships

Jose(left), Jonathan, and his mother at his high school graduation in 2009.

Many children of union members follow in their parents’ footsteps into a similar career path. At National Labor College (NLC) we have helped numerous union family members follow their dreams by earning a college degree. For the first time, we can proudly say that a son will soon follow his father’s path of earning a degree at NLC.

Meet Ironworker Jose Alberto Naranjo and his son Jonathon Naranjo! When classes start Tuesday, September 3, 2013, Jonathan begins a journey he watched his father complete seven years ago. Jose earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor Education in 2006, and is currently a Structural Steel Superintendent.

NLC Students… In Their Own Words: Edison Fraser, IAMAW

My name is Edison Fraser. I am a Special Grand Lodge Representative with the IAMAW Transportation Department. When I graduated High School, my intentions were always to go to college. I began working, started a family and just could never find the time or money to enroll in college. One day, I attend a leadership class at the William Winpisinger Education Center and found out that my union, the IAMAW, who is often referred to as the Machinists Union, had a partnership with NLC. It was some of the best news I heard. I immediately made a commitment to myself that if I ever became a full time union representative, I would enroll at NLC.

Edison Fraser, IAMAW

In April 2012 I became a full time representative and immediately enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies program. Because of the partnership with my union and NLC, I am now on my way to earning my degree and will graduate before my son goes to college. I have no regrets because I will not only have a degree in the end but I have also been able to better service my members.

NLC Students…In Their Own Words: Jimmy Easter, USW

The Union’s Path to the Future Necessarily Includes Education

In preparation for 2009 negotiations, United Steelworkers Local 227 sent me to National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, to take the course, “Negotiating and Writing Contract Language.” It was the first time I had ever heard of a “labor college” or had any knowledge that a formal accredited education geared for organized labor was available. My father was a union employee at Phillips Petroleum from 1944 until 1985, walked a picket line during several strikes as a member of OCAW, and served at least some time as a representative for his group. We lived near the Houston ship channel where the oil industry was booming in the 1950s and 60s and thousands of workers crowded union halls in support of union jobs. At 44 years of age, I was hired into my first career union job at the same plant where my dad retired, signed up to be a union member immediately, and within a year began serving as an appointed joint safety committee chair. I have served our union ever since as an elected representative in one or more capacities through the mergers of OCAW with PACE and of PACE with the Steelworkers, and currently continue to serve as Secretary Treasurer.

Wedding Bells for NLC Alums

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BMWED, Faculty, Hazmat Training, National Labor College

We are happy to announce that two members of the National Labor College (NLC) family recently tied the knot. On July 12, 2013, surrounded by their children and grandchildren, Brenda Cantrell and Rick Inclima were married at their home. They had a beautiful ceremony and even the rain cooperated. Brenda is an NLC alum, current adjunct professor, and former director of the HazMat program. Rick Inclima is also an NLC alum, Education Director for Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE), and one of the first peer trainers for the rail program. The lucky couple met because of the Rail Hazmat program. Brenda and Rick will be honeymooning in their cabin in the West Virginia woods.