Directory

Administration

Dr. Paula Peinovich, Interim President

Dr. Paula Peinovich has been appointed interim president of the National Labor College (NLC) by the school’s Board of Trustees.
 
Peinovich holds a Ph.D. in higher education policy from the University of Pennsylvania and has devoted her career to increasing access for underserved learners.
 
Peinovich held positions as both Provost and President of Walden University, a distance education graduate university from 2002 through 2007. She also spent more than a decade helping to guide Excelsior University, another online institution, as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Prior to her leadership roles in online education, Peinovich served as the Executive Dean of Wayne Community College in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan.

Early in her career she taught English at Madison Area Technical College where she was a member and local officer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and served on the local union’s bargaining team. Most recently Peinovich has worked as a consultant advising institutions on issues ranging from accreditation to developing and administering online curriculum. In 2007, she participated on the US Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking committee on issues surrounding accreditation, and has served on numerous accreditation teams and committees for several of the regional accreditors.

She served on the Board of Directors of the University Continuing Education Association from 2003 to 2005, and is the former president of the Association for Continuing Higher Education. She was selected as a national examiner for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Baldridge National Quality Program in 2003 and again in 2007. She received a Fulbright Fellowship to England where she conducted research on how British universities create access for adult learners.

Peinovich has served as both provost and president of Walden University, a distance education graduate university based in Minneapolis. Previously, she spent more than a decade as vice president of academic affairs at Excelsior College, another online institution based in Albany, N.Y. A former college English instructor and AFT local union officer, Peinovich says:

I very much want to help the college to continue in its role as the West Point of the labor movement while developing programs that reach an even wider pool of union members.

Trumka says the NLC was “fortunate” to find someone “with the background that Dr. Peinovich brings to the table.”

Her experience will help the college to grow and serve our current students

 

Thomas J. Kriger, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

After earning his Ph.D. in political science from the Graduate School of the City University of New York in 1994, Thomas J. Kriger began his academic career as assistant professor in government at Saint Lawrence University. He has also held professorships as Providence College and the University of Northern Colorado. In 1998, Kriger was named director of research and legislation for the United University Professions (UUP), the largest higher education union in the country representing more than 30,000 faculty and staff of the State University of New York. Kriger went on to serve as assistant to the president of UUP, Dr. William E. Scheuerman, until Scheuerman’s appointment as president of the National Labor College in December 2007. Kriger was then appointed associate budget director for research and policy for the State University of New York.  Kriger is the author of numerous scholarly articles and professional publications, and is on the editorial board of WORKING USA and Collective Bargaining in the Academy. He is also a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political
E-mail: tkriger@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5402

 

James Gentile, Vice President for Government Relations and General Counsel (Acting)

James Gentile has taught classes for the University of Baltimore, Montgomery College, and NLC.  He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Government from Georgetown University and a J.D. from Catholic University.
E-mail: jgentile@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5454.

 

Robert Molofsky, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Robert Molofsky, Esquire, served for 25 years as general counsel (1996-2006) and legislative/political director (1981-1996) to the 185,000 member International Amalgamated Transit Union. Molofsky currently oversees the NLC's institutional advancement operations including development, alumni relations, marketing and communications. In addition, he continues to serve as Vice President and Special Counsel for the AFL-CIO's Investment Trust Corporation, a position he has held since 2006. Molofsky, a nationally recognized transit/labor policy expert has testified many times before the United States Congress on transit legislation, labor policy, transit security, privatization and licensing issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor from American University's Washington College of Law. Since 1999, he has served as a fellow with the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and in 2008 received the Judge William B. Groat Award, from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).for exceptional professional accomplishment in the field of industrial and labor relations as well as outstanding contributions to the School.
E-mail: Rmolofsky@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5406

 

Beth Shannon, Acting Vice President for Operations

Beth Shannon has been with NLC since December 2002. Prior to joining NLC, she worked for the AFL-CIO International Affairs Department, including two years working on education and training programs in Asia. She holds a B.S. in Architecture from The Catholic University of America and a M.S. in Organization Development from American University.
E-mail: bshannon@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5413.

 

Yoon-il Auh, Deputy Provost for Online Learning

Dr. Auh previously served as a Director of Distance Learning and the Center for Instructional Design at Central Michigan University. He has taught at Teachers College Columbia University and New York University; authored several publications in the area of Computer Programming, Multiple Intelligence, and Music Instruction. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Julliard School along with master’s degrees in Computing and Education, Instructional Technology, and doctorate degree from Columbia University. He is an American Council on Education certified national curriculum reviewer and a member of AFM.
Email: yauh@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-4862.

 

Carol D. Rodgers, Director of Admissions and Associate Provost

Carol Rodgers came to the College from the AFL-CIO in 1995 to work with the nationally acclaimed Rail Workers Hazmat Training Program where she remained until her appointment in 2007 as Executive Assistant within the NLC’s president’s office. Carol was appointed Associate Provost for External Relations in 2009. She has held the positions within her union, the Office and Professional Employees International Union, of Shop Steward and Assistant Shop Steward for many years and has served on several committees at the College including the Scholarship and Middle States Assessment committees. Carol graduated with a B.A. from the NLC in 2000 with a double major in Labor Studies and Labor Safety and Health. While a student she served as an Executive Board member and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Student Union.
E-mail: crodgers@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5440

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Antonio DeNicolis, Controller

Antonio DeNicolis joined the College in 2004 after having served as Controller for the Department of Medicine, and as Director of Finance for the Department of Psychiatry, both at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting from Towson University.
E-mail: adenicolis@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5419.

 

Edward Fagbemi, Database Administrator

Edward Fagbemi is the Database Administrator for the NLC. He is responsible for database development, administration and applications. He has more than 10 years experience working in the IT industry. His additional responsibilities include data manipulation, analysis and reporting and institutional research. Edward holds a B.A. in Accounting from Brooklyn College and an MS in Computer Information Systems from Regis College. Edward is a member of TNG-CWA. Email: efagbemi@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-5607

 

Lisa Hughes, Director of Conference Services

Lisa Hughes began with the AFL-CIO in 1985 and then transferred to the NLC in 1987. She began her career at the NLC in academic services and later moved on to support the president of the college. Since 2002, Lisa has led the Conference Services team into a full-service union conference center, helping to support the educational mission of the college. Lisa holds a B.A. in Labor Education from NLC. Email: lhughes@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5418

 

Cheryl Leid, Human Resource Manager

Cheryl Leid served the college as Assistant Controller from 1999 until 2007, when she assumed her current position as Human Resource Manager. A Certified Public Accountant, Leid holds a M.S. in Management and a B.S. in Business and Management from the University of Maryland.
E-mail: cleid@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5436.

 

Christopher Levy, Conference Services Coordinator

Christopher Levy joined the National Labor College after serving as Conference Services Manager at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute where he managed day to day operations, logistics, and managed all audio visual equipment. Previously, Christopher worked at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Maryland. He graduated from The George Washington University in 2003 with a BBA in International Business and a minor in Economics. He is a proud member of OPEIU. Email: clevy@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-4857

 

Toni Riley, Registrar

Toni Riley joined the College in November 2009.  She brings a wealth of higher education experience to NLC. Prior to coming to the NLC, Toni   held the position of Director of Student Services at Johns Hopkins University’s engineering graduate program.  She also served as assistant registrar at Howard Community College for nine years.   In addition, Toni received a B.S. in Computer Science from University of Maryland University College and an M.A. in Management  (Higher Education) from Antioch University. E-mail: triley@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5410.

 

Lauren Samet, Assistant Director of Conference Services

Lauren Samet is Assistant Director of the NLC Conference Services Department. Prior to the NLC, Lauren spent seven years at the American Federation of Teachers where she worked first in the meetings and travel department and then as national representative, overseeing a variety of organizing campaigns. She holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina in Literature of the Middle East and a M.P.A. from the University of Baltimore. Email: lsamet@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-5606

 

Tracie Sumner, Director, Student Financial Services

Tracie Sumner joined the College in 2007 after holding several key management positions within Strayer University. She has twelve years of experience in higher education including post-graduate medical admissions, student services, and financial aid. She holds a BS in Sociology from Longwood University.
E-mail: tsumner@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-4253.

 

Jeffrey S. Tillery, Audio Visual Technician

Jeffrey S. Tillery is the NLC’s Audio Visual Technician in the Conference Services department. He has been working in the audio video field for 8 years. Prior to joining NLC, Jeff worked as a project manager for regional audio video integration company where he managed the installation of many large-scale high profile audio video projects. Jeff is a member of IATSE local 22. Email: jtillery@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5429

 

Faculty

Elise Bryant

Prior to joining the College, Elise Bryant was the program associate for the Union Minorities/Women’s Leadership Training Program at the University of Michigan’s Labor Studies Center. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work with community organizations and her artistic endeavors. She holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Michigan and a M.S. in Organization Development from American University.
E-mail: ebryant@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5408.

 

Jannie Cobb

Jannie Cobb is the Librarian as well as a full-time faculty member.  She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Howard University and an M.S. in Library Science from the Catholic University of America.
E-mail: jcobb@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5447.

 

Regina (Jean)  Dearden

Jean Dearden is the program chair of the Labor Education major and fully online courses. She is the Chair of the Academic Standards Committee. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in Instructional Systems Design and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communications/Journalism from Shippensburg University.
E-mail: jdearden@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5430.

 

Lynda DeLoach

Lynda DeLoach is an Archivist with the George Meany Memorial Archives. She holds a B.A. in English from Carleton College and a M.A. in History from New York University.
E-mail: ldeloach@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5441.

 

Patricia A. Greenfield

Patricia Greenfield is the former Graduate Program Director of the Labor Relations and Research Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Relations from Cornell University, a J.D. from the University School of Law, and a B.A. in political science from the University of Rochester. She has been a local union president, executive board member, steward, and an international union staff member.
E-mail: pgreenfield@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-5600.

 

Jennifer M. Harrison

Jennifer Harrison specializes in composition and literature, teaching Reading & Writing Critically, American Labor Literature, Writing about Labor and Literature, Effective Writing, and Creative Writing, in addition to managing the prior learning assessment program. She holds an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park and a BA in English from Washington College. Harrison has taught at Montgomery College and Anne Arundel Community College; before becoming a faculty member, she directed marketing, communications, and publication development in higher education association publishing. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in language, literacy, and culture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
E-mail: jharrison@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-4865.

 

Peter Hoefer

Peter Hoefer teaches labor studies and history courses at the College. He holds a B.A. in History and a M.A. in American History from the University of Maryland.  He is in the process of completing his doctorate in Twentieth Century U.S. History at the University of Maryland.
E-mail: phoefer@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5442.

 

Henry Jajuga

Henry Jajuga is Associate Professor for Health and Safety and Director of the college's Rail Workers' Hazmat Training Program and the National Resource Center for OSHA training. He has participated in the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program since 1999 and worked as a Maintenance of Way crane operator since 1983. He has traveled extensively in the Western United States during his employment with Southern and Union Pacific Railroads. Henry has held several union positions for BMWED local 227 of the Pacific Federation including president and district chairperson. Professor Jajuga holds a B.A. in Health and Safety from the NLC, and an M.A. from the University of Baltimore/NLC partner program in Legal and Ethical Studies.
Email: hjajuga@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-6400.

 

Bonnie Ladin

Bonnie Ladin has worked for over 25 years as a union organizer, holding various positions of responsibility with SEIU. She holds a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
E-mail: bladin@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5409.

 

Julie Ann Mendez-de Leon

Julie Ann Mendez-de Leon teaches Educational Planning and Instructional Methods. She also coordinates the Spanish Immersion program and specializes in English as a second language for unions. She holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a M.A. in Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
E-mail: jm-deleon@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5426.

 

Robert Morriss

Rob Morriss teaches Distance Learning, Instructional Technology, Multimedia Technology and Computer Skills courses. In addition he serves as the administrator for the Blackboard learning system and web master for the College. He holds a B.A. in History and Psychology from Drury University, a B.S. in Mathematics/Computer Science from Towson University and a M.A. in Instructional Systems Development from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
E-mail: onlinesupport@nlc.edu  Phone: 301-431-6400

 

Julia Offiong

Julia Offiong is an Assistant Librarian with the George Meany Memorial Archives Library.  She holds a B.A. in Political Science and an M.L.S. in Library Science, both from the University of Pittsburgh.
E-mail: joffiong@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5446.

 

Ruth Ruttenberg

Ruth Ruttenberg is an economist, specializing in labor economics and occupational safety and health.  She is widely published and is an active consultant with a range of unions and government agencies. She holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
E-mail: rruttenberg@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5448.

 

Katherine Sciacchitano

Prior to joining NLC, Katherine Sciacchitano worked as an organizer, a staff representative, a staff attorney, and taught at the School for Workers, University of Wisconsin. She has published articles on organizing, the global economy, welfare reform and health care reform. She graduated from the Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.
E-mail: ksciacchitano@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5407.

 

Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, Ph.D.

Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, Chair of the Faculty Senate, has authored numerous books and publications based upon her experiences with and research on political power and urban diversity; women in the political process; equity and social justice issues; grass-roots coalition strategies; leadership and institutional change; and national urban policy. She has been an NLC Professor since 2003, following professorships at several leading national universities, as well as senior executive positions at federal, state and local levels. She holds an honors B.A. in Political Science from North Carolina Central University, an M.A.P.A. from the HH Humphrey School of the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in City Planning and Urban Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Fulbright Fellow to Germany and also received a Ford Foundation Individual Grant Award.
E-mail: yscruggs@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5452 Web Site: www.yscruggs.com.

 

Sharon Simon

In addition to being a full-time faculty member, Sharon Simon is the Director of NLC’s Labor Safety and Health Training Project. She has worked for more than 25 years as a labor educator. She holds a B.A. in Social Policy and Community Planning and a J.D. from Faculty of Law and  Jurisprudence, State University of New York at Buffalo.
E-mail: ssimon@nlc.edu Phone: 301-431-5414.

 

Sarah Springer

Sarah Springer is an Archivist with the George Meany Memorial Archives.  She holds a B.L.A. in Social Science from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.
E-mail: sspringer@nlc.edu Phone: 301-628-4854.

Board of Trustees

Executive Committee

• Richard L. Trumka, Chair
• Elizabeth H. Shuler, Treasurer
• William E. Scheuerman, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Arlene Holt Baker, Secretary
• Peter G. Angelos

 

Members

• Mark Ayers, President, Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
• Christopher Blass, Vice-President and National Director, Labor and Trust at Kaiser Permanente.
  
• Jules Bernstein, Bernstein & Lipsett, P.C.
• Julian Bond, Chairman, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Robert Bruno, Director, Chicago Labor Education Program
• Patricia Friend, International President, Association of Flight Attendants
• John Gage, President, American Federation of Government Employees
• Leo W. Gerard, President, United Steel, Paper, and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.
  
• Alexis M. Herman, Secretary of Labor (1997-2001), Alexis M. Herman, L.L.C.
• Edwin D. Hill, President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Frank Hurt, President of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
  
• Theodore W. Kheel, President, Foundation on Prevention and Early Resolution of Conflict
• Fred D. Mason, Jr., President, Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO
• Gerald W. McEntee, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Martin E. Segal, Chairman Emeritus, Segal Company
• Edward M. Smith, President of ULLICO Inc.
  
• Roger Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Income Life Insurance Company
• Michael J. Sullivan, President, Sheet Metal Workers International Association
• John Sweeney, President Emeritus of the AFL-CIO (1995-2009) and former President of the Service Employees International Union (1980-1995).
• Leslie Tolf, President of Union Privilege
  
• Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
  
• James A. Williams, General President, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades of the United States and Canada
• Kent D. Wong, Director, UCLA Labor Center

 

Nonvoting Members

• Roger Ramjug, President of the Alumni Association
• Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, Chair of the Faculty Senate, National Labor College