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.

National Labor College Featured at IATSE Convention

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bachelor's degree, education, IATSE, National Labor College, online learning

NLC President Paula Peinovich with IATSE President Matt Loeb.

National Labor College President Paula Peinovich received a standing ovation at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) convention in Boston, Massachusetts last week. Peinovich talked to the delegates about the educational options NLC offers.

Peinovich was invited to speak at the convention by IATSE president Matt Loeb, who is a champion of education. Since he was elected in 2008, Loeb has strongly supported providing educational opportunities for IATSE members. Loeb was elected to NLC’s Board of Trustees in June.

NLC also hosted a booth at the convention and many delegates signed up to receive more information. They’re following in the footsteps of fellow members Dennis and Dorian Nicely, who plan to start classes in September. Several graduates also stopped by.

Thomas Kiousis, Jr., 1980 Meany Center graduate and Nancy Flesher, 1998 Labor Studies graduate, enjoy sharing their NLC experiences.

Incoming NLC student and IATSE member Dennis Nicely chats with NLC President Peinovich.

Sheet Metal Workers Union Assistant to the General President Named NLC Alumni of the Year

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bachelor's degree, Labor Studies, National Labor College, online learning, SMART-UNION, SMWIA

National Labor College’s Alumni Association has named Marc A. Norberg – who graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor Studies – Alumni of the Year. Marc is the Assistant to the General President of SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union).

Among his other duties, Marc coordinates the International’s interface with renewable energy sources, green energy and combined heat and power organizations. Formerly, he was the President and Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and also served as a Labor Trustee on the SMWIA National Pension Fund. Marc and his wife Linda have two sons, both SMWIA members and third generation journeymen sheet metal workers.

The alumni of the year was chosen based on involvement with the alumni association and dedication to promoting NLC.

NLC Professor Deborah Robinson Participates in the NAACP Leadership 500 Summit

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bachelor's degree, Emergency Readiness and Response Management, Faculty, National Labor College

Dr. Deborah Robinson recently joined the faculty at National Labor College as the Director of the Emergency Readiness and Response Management degree program. She is an internationally recognized facilitator and senior program manager with more than 25 years of experience working with agencies, organizations, and movements in numerous countries, so when she was asked to be on a panel on “International Initiatives” at the NAACP Leadership 500 Summit on May 24, Dr. Robinson was eager to be involved.

NLC Graduate an Advocate for Worker Safety and Health

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bachelor's degree, Health and Safety, IBEW, National Labor College, Workers Memorial Day

On April 28 – Workers Memorial Day – we pause to remember those workers who have been killed, injured, or made sick at work.  For NLC graduate Brian Wood, every day is Workers Memorial Day.  Brian works as an advocate for worker safety and health in his position as Labor Liaison at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Region VII, where he also serves as American Federation of Government Employees’ Local 1748 union steward.

Brian’s passion for workplace safety grew out of his job as a journeyman wireman and the work he did while serving on the Safety Committee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 725 for three years.  That work prompted him to finish his degree at National Labor College because he decided a career in worker safety and health was something he wanted to pursue full time.

Diverse Student Body Learns from Each Other at NLC Spring Residency

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AFL-CIO, bachelor's degree, IBEW, Labor Studies, National Labor College, residencies

This past President’s Day weekend, National Labor College students pursuing their degrees in the School of Labor Studies spent four days together in the intensive residency component of the Living Labor History class – a class which introduces students to the major developments of working people, their organizations, and their communities over the course of American history.

Union Degree Helps Firefighter Blaze Ahead

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bachelor's degree, Graduation, Health and Safety, IAFF, Labor Studies, National Labor College

One of the biggest difficulties that union members face is that people don’t understand who we really are, says Mark Fuller of Kansas City, MO. “People don’t realize that we’re their neighbors, we’re in the car behind them picking up our kids at the same schools, we buy groceries at the same place,” says Mark.

“It’s because we don’t tell our story enough. In fact we don’t tell it at all. But we can’t tell our story if we don’t know it ourselves.”

Earn Credit for Prior Learning with NLC

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adult learning, bachelor's degree, PLA, Prior Learning Assessment

“I have a lot of experience through the labor movement and was able to turn that knowledge and learning into credit,” said Helen Foreman-Hines, 61, the political action project director for SEIU 1199 – United Healthcare Workers East.

Helen earned 30 credits by documenting her learning through a portfolio process called the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

Through PLA, NLC students have the opportunity to earn college credit for learning acquired outside of a traditional college classroom.

New Solidarity Awards: Apply by August 17th!

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bachelor's degree, Financial Aid, online degree, residencies, scholarships, Union training

**Financial aid deadline extended to August 17th!**

Submit your application by August 17th to be eligible for financial aid, scholarships, and solidarity awards for the fall semester. Solidarity awards are being offered for a limited time only and cover the cost of one 3-credit course (value $915).

It’s your turn to focus on your educational goals and NLC is there to help you complete that degree.

Get more information by visiting www.NLC.edu/Start or call 1‐888‐427‐8100 to speak with an Admissions Counselor.