Student Union Candidates

Elections begin at 12 noon on May 6th and run through until 12 noon on May 14th.  We will be sending a unique one-time ballot to all degree and certificate SLU students.  The ballot will be sent to SLU students preferred email on CUNYfirst.

My name is Myra Machado, and I am writing to express my interest in the position of Co-Chair for the 2024-2025 SLU Student Union. As a second-semester Master of Urban Studies student, I am passionate about social justice and believe I have the skills and experience to contribute to the role effectively. I am originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and have lived in New York City for the past six years. One of the aspects that drew me to CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies was its focus on the four principles of social justice: equity, access, civic participation, and human rights. My previous experiences include working with non-profit organizations such as Fast Food Justice, where I learned about labor laws and advocated for the rights of fast-food workers. I have also been involved in tenant organizations, fighting for housing rights and studying the effects of gentrification in neighborhoods like Bushwick and Harlem. Additionally, my full-time job at the Young Adult Institute (YAI) and The Bridge has given me firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, substance use disorders, and mental health issues. I am also a member of the 1199 Union.

While I have not been a part of the Student Union, I believe this opportunity would allow me to learn and contribute my experiences to the organization.

Kanema Varner is a first-generation, West Indian American college graduate student who was born and raised in a single-parent household in Brooklyn, New York. She serves as an assistant teacher for PS87 in the upper West Side of Manhattan and works as a Malavi leader for CUNY. As a former treasurer for the Burrough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)’s Sisterhood Society, she advocated for reasonable accommodation funding and infrastructure on BMCC campus. She believes that as a student union representative, every student who attends courses at the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies should have equal and endless opportunities, regardless on their gender, race, ethnicity, and disability. As the oldest of nine children, she has always been a leader and gained the nickname “boss lady” as she always makes sure everything runs smoothly, even if something goes wrong. She never backs down from a challenge, especially when it comes to social and community justice. She currently holds a 3.828 GPA for SLUS’s Master’s program. Just as her grandma tells her, “To whom much is given much is required.” Not only does she strive to implement this saying in her daily life, but in every role she gains.

My name is Kelly O’Hern, I am from Baltimore, MD, and I am a passionate labor organizer currently enrolled in SLU’s Union Semester Program. My goal is to pursue further education through the master’s program at SLU while simultaneously working as a full-time staff organizer.

My journey to advocating for workers’ rights and diving into labor studies has been shaped by countless moments that exposed the injustices we witness and perpetuate every day. These experiences have fueled my determination to create a more equitable world and seek the necessary tools to drastically and fundamentally transform the circumstances of our existence.

I have always embraced the opportunity to challenge the status quo and advocate for equality and fairness. With a collectivist mindset, I believe that addressing societal challenges requires shared responsibility and collaborative effort. Being a part of the SLU student union would allow me to apply my collectivist mindset to addressing challenges faced by students and SLU community collaboratively. The student union offers a platform for collective voice and action, enabling us to make meaningful changes together. It would be an honor to contribute to the long legacy of organizing at CUNY!

Providing direction on behalf of us students to maintain our enhanced learning experience and guaranteed success is Shirley’s aim! Shirley Rollins is a first year CUNY SLU student, BA in Labor Studies. Shirley does take notice and respect the family structure of CUNY SLU that she would be honored to maintain, bring innovative ideas in a collective effort, and empower us all, students, and faculty alike to take on! Shirley Rollins is running for the candidacy of Steering Committee. Her 1199SEIU and community outreach background demonstrates a sincere commitment to CUNY SLU that will make her the best suited for this role. Working at 1199SEIU for 7 years, Shirley has worked multiple roles, including a secretary in the steering committee meetings for the NYS Staffing Legislation.

Originating from Harlem, NY, Shirley has been active in community outreach since high school. She is an experienced writer and orator in spoken word, community development & inner-city youth programs. As a Red Hook Youth Court Member, Shirley has had the pleasure to speak to US Attorney General Janet Reno, major media platforms and community organizations to show how inner-city youth can and has improved their lives in impoverished communities. With her bright & energetic persona, she has shared her written poetry to uplift & empower many in her community. As Co-Chair of the new Student Union, Shirley vows to communicate the needs and concerns of the students in an effective and dignified manner to enhance the winning family structure that both students and faculty provide! Our success is a true merit of solidarity to keep on achieving at the maximum level!

Rhonda F. Joseph is a born and raised Brooklynite of Immigrant parents. Rhonda acquired her Bachelor of Science Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and her Master of Art Degree from Brooklyn College. She is currently working on a second master’s degree in labor studies at CUNY SLU.

Rhonda has worked as a Civil Servant for the City of New York since 2006 and served as a union Shop Steward throughout her tenure.  Rhonda has juggled between work and academic life since 2022. Rhonda is a current Labor Studies Steering Committee Executive Board Member and is committed to continuing to serve the Student Union for the remainder of her time at CUNY SLU.  Rhonda is no stranger to community work and advocacy while building relationships and strengthening partnerships and looks forward to dedicating the rest of her volunteer time to seeing the Student Union’s voice elevated and strengthened throughout the halls of CUNY SLU.

Rhonda would like the opportunity to see CUNY SLU students continue to excel on this journey of life changing importance, Higher Education, the equalizer.  The opportunities available through CUNY SLU and the degree earned from this institution will allow its graduates to undoubtedly change the game for social justice and the labor movement. Rhonda would like to ensure that these opportunities remain available and accessible while opening the door to additional resources and opportunities.  Rhonda welcomes the opportunity, spending the next year, continuing with CUNY SLU to offer students, like her, accessibility, diversity, inclusion and acceptance.

William Cintula is a second semester BA Labor Studies student at CUNY SLU. He’s held dozens of jobs and an extensive career in the hospitality & beverage industries. Aside from providing the best food, drink, and service in the city, he’s used his penetrating analytical skills to dissect the hierarchical structures that have prevented service workers from keeping solidarity with one another, and demanding what they rightfully deserve. Staten Island born, William has influenced tastes and trends while managing the local Holiday Beverage. He’s managed the portfolios of 4 breweries of local, regional, and national status for Sheehan Family Companies in all five boroughs. He’s given his time to Kills Boro Brewing Company, developing and executing sales strategies for them, allowing them to scale up their production and open a second location. The thread that really ties these jobs to his current role is William’s ability to listen to the needs of his co-workers and business partners. He is a natural leader, and has an innate mastery skill that has allowed him to fine tune each role he’s filled, and advance quickly in each path he’s chosen. He’s taking that ability and now using it to serve justice and dignity to his working class cohort.

Oliver Compton is a second semester junior, completing his bachelors in labor studies at CUNY SLU. Youthful, and making up his lack of experience with passion, Oliver would bring a variety of skills to the student union. Most relevant, as he is looking for the role of treasurer, would be his skills in managing and running a small catering business where he was responsible for keeping track of all finances. At the SLU student union, Oliver looks to develop these skills and put them to use advocating for the funds that SLU initiatives deserve. Besides advocacy, Oliver hopes to involve the SLU student union more vigorously in the ongoings of the greater CUNY system. Growing up Quaker, Oliver is quite familiar with consensus and collective action. This upbringing, and his commitment to the service of other people is what motivates his study of labor. Moreover, it is what makes him so obsessed with solidarity, and with the SLU student union he is looking to expand solidarity, across the school and across the greater CUNY system.

I have been at SLU since Fall 2021 in pursuit of the Labor Studies BA program. I am an intern at 1199 SEIU through the SLU Union Semester program as of Spring 2024. My past experiences include attending SUNY Old Westbury, serving in AmeriCorps tutoring math, and working in health benefits administration, food service, retail, warehousing, and more. SLU’s primarily working adult student body brings together and cultivates a unique and fulfilling educational atmosphere full of diverse perspectives. I have experienced SLU both as a full-time working adult and as a full-time student, and this perspective can inform the ways I would connect with my fellow students as a student union leader. I would love to expand ways to extend connections between students, especially those who can’t make it to events, by streamlining communications and creating online networking opportunities. I would like to recognize students for their work through a student-union-run newsletter or an existing CUNY channel. I am passionate about the school’s network of offerings and would like to coordinate with the broader CUNY network to integrate access to quality research materials and, extracurricular activities and resources into orientations and curricula. Most importantly, I will prioritize student voices and foster an inclusive culture by facilitating feedback mechanisms accessible to all.