Maryland – AFSCME Members Earn College Credits

Silver Spring, Maryland

Union Made! | Two OAPSE members, JoAnn Johntony (left) and Davida Russell, graduate from the National Labor College in Maryland.
Photo Credit: Jon Melegrito

When JoAnn Johntony and Davida Russell received their bachelor's degrees in labor studies from the National Labor College (NLC) - the nation's only union-based college - in June, each acquired nearly six academic credits for completing AFSCME training programs. These accredited courses were created through the union's partnership with NLC. As a result, the two took the fast track to becoming full-fledged college graduates.

Since 2003, AFSCME has developed high quality, rigorous training programs, which are accredited by the college. In many instances, AFSCME members may transfer credits to undergraduate degree programs at accredited colleges and universities.

Johntony and Russell, both members of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE)/AFSCME Local 4, enrolled at NLC last year. Each won the 2006 Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship - named after a legendary AFSCME organizer - which helped them to pursue their NLC studies.

Johntony is a school custodian and state president of OAPSE. Russell, a bus driver and president of Local 744, wrote a book (as a class project) about her mother, a bus driver herself who organized her co-workers to form a union. The Birth of a Union: The Legacy of Noridean McDonald was published in July.

Three other AFSCME members received their diplomas from NLC this summer: Karen Ann Lewis, former member and regional vice president of Local 972 (Pennsylvania Council 90); Robert C. Trombley, chief steward, Local 1461 (New Mexico Council 18); and Sherman Henry, president of Local 1184 (Florida Council 79).

For more scholarship information, visit the Scholarships section of AFSCME.org.