Student Tribune

FA President Bethany Gizzi Named NYSUT Higher Education Faculty Member of the Year 2018

Please join the FA Faculty Council in congratulating Professor Bethany Gizzi in having been selected by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) as its Higher Education Member of the Year 2018.

Professor Gizzi is one of the youngest members ever to receive this prestigious recognition from NYSUT, as the award is usually given to a higher education member in recognition of a lifetime of achievement and effort in support of union solidarity.

Professor Gizzi has served members of the MCC Faculty Association for her entire career, acting in various roles including President, Chief Contract Negotiator, Grievance Chairperson, Communications Chairperson as well as serving of over 10 years on the Committee on Labor-Management Cooperation.

In addition, Professor Gizzi has volunteered to serve on many NYSUT and American Federation of Teachers guidance committees and her work has made her universally respected and admired. And she is widely respected as a teacher and as an important member of her department.

The NYSUT Higher Education Member of the Year award recognizes Professor Gizzi for her "boundless energy, intelligence, and unending hard work." NYSUT's Higher Education Award Committee comments that her leadership aims above all "to make he issues and concerns of the most vulnerable members of our union be concerns of all. She has actively sought to increase professional staff, part-time, and adjunct participation in Faculty Council, Labor-Management, and contract negotiation."

In recognizing her achievements, NYSUT also points to Professor Gizzi's particular work with the NYSUT Women's Committee and her national reputation that lead her to be among a select number of leaders to be invited to the White House in 2016 to attend President Obama's Free College Initiative Panel Discussion.

FA Faculty Council congratulates and thanks Bethany for all her conscientious effort and example. She is a constant reminder to all of us of the value of union membership and common sacrifice and we cannot imagine a more deserving candidate for this award - a candidate who constantly puts self and and self-interest aside to aid the causes of labor and higher education.

Professor Gizzi is a tireless advocate for MCC Faculty Association members, a well-respected and admired teacher, and a wonderful co-worker and union sister. Please join us in congratulating her for this incredibly well-deserved award.

Hachee, Matthew
Faculty Association
01/22/2018