GEU StaffCurrent 2023-2024 Staff Employees
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President: Grace Easterly
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About Grace
Hi! My name is Grace Easterly and I’m the union president this year. To me, a union is about building community and unleashing the power we have together as workers to make change in our workplace. Poor working conditions can sometimes be normalized for grad students and postdocs, but having a union means that no one ever needs to feel alone or powerless and that we can fight together for the rights we deserve as important workers in the UConn community. To that end, as president I’m so excited to build up our organizing power across all UConn departments, enhance our solidarity efforts with unions in our state and across the country, and work closely with our members to make sure they know their rights and options in difficult situations. We are ALL the union!!!I started organizing with the union my first year as a PhD student because I was so inspired to see what a difference a union could make for us as Grad Assistants and postdocs at UConn. Since then, I’ve been a steward and then staff organizer and am excited to take on the role of president. When I’m not organizing with the union, I’m a PhD student in the History department and mom to orange cat Murphy. |
Vice President: Alex Kueny
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About Alex
I am a second-year History PhD student and I'm thrilled to be the Vice President of the UConn GEU. I was inspired to run for this position because I believe in the strength and resiliency of organized workplaces. I am passionate about labor organizing and I believe the GEU is the best tool we have to win and protect strong rights, working conditions, and benefits for UConn GA's and Postdocs. I have extensive prior organizing experience and have been a leader in social movements for housing justice, immigrants' rights, and black lives. I built on this experience in my previous role as GEU Organizing Coordinator. When I'm not working with the union I'm usually riding my bike, or working on my historical research, which centers around the relationships between slavery, capitalism, revolutions, and state formation in the US and UK. During my VP term I look forward to meeting as many GA's and postdocs as I can from every department at UConn. Let's work together to make our union strong and our campus an incredible place to work and learn! |
Financial Secretary: Skyler David Hodell
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About Skyler
I am a second-year in the History Department's MA graduate program here at the University of Connecticut. Since my first semester, I have been an active and proud member of UAW Local 6950, UConn's Graduate Employee Union. Growing up globally as a "third-culture kid," I have long sought a deeper understanding of how and why inequality persists, at both global and local latitudes. My lived experience to that end has led me to a truer faith in community- as well as worker-led politics-- one that advocates for the needs of the many over the wants of a few. Graduate workers play two roles: cheap(er) labor as well as students-whenever-convenient-- despite the opportunity to receive a funded education, we are often denied much else: namely wages commensurate with cost of living, as well as a contract that ensures fair and equitable working conditions. These goals require action, and-- to that point-- care and diligence with how our union spends and saves, both as strategy and as a matter with legal weight. That is where the Financial Secretary role comes in-- cutting checks, generating vouchers, paying bills, and keeping records. As public employees, UConn's GAs and postdocs do not have a legal right to strike; we must put our money where our mouths are in other creative ways. To that point, the Financial Secretary makes sure the union holds itself accountable to the achievable standards our members expect, all with an eye toward transparency, democratic decision-making, and worker power. |
Operations Coordinator: Emmanuel Dwamena
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About Emmanuel
I’m a second year PhD student in Curriculum and Instruction. I became involved with the union because I believe strongly in the power of collective action to ensure that graduate assistants and postdocs have the rights, benefits, and protections we deserve as workers at UConn. To me, the union is not just about contracts or policies; it’s about solidarity, making sure no one feels isolated, and building a stronger, more equitable workplace together. In my role as Operations Coordinator, I support the union by regularly maintaining and updating membership records across our various platforms, and by coordinating childcare reimbursement support so that all members can fully participate in union life. Outside of school and union work, I enjoy bowling, spending time with friends, and finding ways to stay connected with community. |
Grievance Coordinator: Anne Gilewski
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About Anne
Howdy! I am a second-year PhD student in the Marine Sciences Department at Avery Point. I started union involvement as a unit steward since our campus needed representation for questions or issues that a GA might have concerning our contract. I was inspired to join the Grievance, Organizing, and Bargaining Committees because I could see myself making a difference for our members, and more importantly, I am a resource for the Avery Point community. I am excited to continue serving as Grievance Coordinator this year and look forward to ensuring that every GA has a safe and productive experience at UConn. |
Organizing Coordinator: John Briseno
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About John
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Organizing Coordinator: Lily Luo
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About Lily
I am a scholar, poet, and teacher who is currently working on a dissertation about the revolutionary legacy of Grace Lee Boggs and the power of radical pedagogy. Before graduate school, I worked in Boston as a community organizer and activist, organizing around issues of racial and economic justice with seniors and people of faith throughout Massachusetts. As Grace Lee Boggs said, "movements are born of critical connections rather than critical mass." This year, I am eager to build strong and compassionate connections within our local union so that together we can be part of a powerful labor movement that can rise to the challenges of our political moment. In my spare time, I love to collage, cook Chinese food for friends, and write poems about liberation. |
Communications Coordinator: Sage Montana
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About Sage
Hi! My name is Sage Montana, and I am a first year in the communication department. I've been a member of the GEU for three years, and joined while completing my masters at UConn. This is my third year on staff and have enjoyed spending time organizing with different committees and engaging with members in different staff positions. Outside of the union, I like to spend time playing with my dog, crocheting, and going thrifting. |
