Dawn Smith NCCFT Vice President Non-Classroom and Professional Faculty

MY STORY

We have often been told by other Community Colleges that NCCFT has the Cadillac of contracts.  Because I know how important it is to protect the rights and privileges guaranteed in this contract, I am running again for VP non-classroom/profession faculty.  I was part of the team that successfully negotiated two contracts for us. I want to be sure that NCCFT member concerns are voiced and heard. I would like the opportunity to doing this again.

I have helped get us through some difficult times: votes of no confidence, informational picketing, Middle States accreditation issues, and a pandemic. I have a deep understanding of NCC and the work our union must continue to do to ensure it is the best place for us, the NCCFT faculty, to work and educate our students.

I began working at NCC in 2000 and was hired full time in 2008 in the Center for Students with Disabilities unit of SPS.

As a third-generation unionist--my father and grandfather were IBEW local 3 electricians--it was only natural that when I began full time at NCC I became involved in the union.  My service began when I was elected by my department colleagues to serve as our representative to the NCCFT Executive Board.  I also joined the NCCFT PAC committee. After about one year, I was asked to chair that committee. I was also asked to serve as a member of the newly formed NCCFT Ad-hoc Elections committee.

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When I was chair of PAC and an NCCFT officer, I was involved in many lobbying efforts on behalf of the college and our union.  The PAC committee maintains relationships with both local and state legislators, our K-12 and Higher Ed NYSUT brothers and sisters in education, and other local and national unions.

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I have also served as a voting member of the Academic Senate for my department as well as being a member of the Senate Developmental Education committee.

​With both my union and SPS/CSD experiences I know how to stay calm in challenging, stressful situations, I can think out of the box to find creative solutions, and can work collegially with all types of personalities.  I also know how important it is to listen to all viewpoints before making a final decision and to go directly to the source when looking for answers. It is actions and facts that matter.  I believe in feet on the ground.

​​​I know I am the best candidate for the job.  If elected, I promise to continue to work diligently on behalf of all faculty.  I will take your calls, answer your emails, and meet with you when you reach out. 

I would be honored to continue to serve you. 

For Tracyann Ayala's web page please click here: https://tracyannayalancc.wixsite.com/my-site

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For Shawn Novatt's web page, please click here: https://shawnnovatt4.wordpress.com

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I can be contacted at  dawn.smith@ncc.edu