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Alumni Updates

Adam Acquario

Acquario, Adam

Since attending I have remained actively engaged in promoting the value of a unionized workforce. I remained political director for my union for 5 years after HTUP and then took a position leading our union preparation for the Friedrichs/Janus Supreme Court Case. In 2016 I developed, implemented, and ran our union’s strategy to prepare for the loss. I remain very energized in engaging our membership in a positive way, focusing more on non-work/political issues and the value of “stronger together.”

Alston, Shannon

Since graduating from the HTUP in 2019, I have advanced to the position of UniServ Director at the Michigan Education Association (MEA) where I currently represent the Michigan State University Administrative Professional Association which has close to 3,000 members. In this position, I act as the lead negotiator, contract enforcer, advocate, and labor relations specialist for employees in approximately 350 different job classifications.

Jolene Barrow

Barrow, Jolene

I continue to do my job as an Executive UniServ Director for my Option II in California. Life has been hectic with the pandemic – all of the bargaining and member representation, among othert things, has been keeping me busy.

Blankinship, Gary

After attending HTUP I returned to Houston where I served as President of the Houston Police Officer’s Union until my retirement in 2012. Prior to my retirement I was nominated by President Obama to serve as the United States Marshal in and for the Southern District of the “GREAT STATE of TEXAS”.

Carlson, Joyce

After my program was over, I returned to my role as a Field Director for AFSCME Council 5. On 12/31/2017, after 20 years a Council staff person, and 32 years as an AFSCME member, I retired, and joined our AFSCME Retiree Chapter.

Caswell, Donald

I retired ten years ago and began visiting some of the many places I’d dreamed about seeing while I was working. COVID put an end to that. Now I’m volunteering my time to Mary Washington Elder Study, a nonprofit organization in Fredericksburg VA that provides educational programs for people of retirement age.

Thomas Costa

Costa, Thomas

Thomas Costa is the Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW, the peak trades and labour council in NSW representing over 62 affiliated unions. As part of his role in the leadership team of Unions NSW, Thomas has responsibility for the management of the organisation’s communications and digital campaigns team. Thomas is also the lead for the peak’s industrial and research team and coordinates the movement’s strategic litigation strategy.

Costigan, Susanne

I combined my teaching career with my union career. I first was a local officer and PR&R Chair. Later I was hired by the State organization (Massachusetts Teachers Association) as a Regional Representative. Duties included contract negotiation, grievance matters and general union matters.