Candidates: Tyler Bauer, Terichi Bellinger, Josh Eaise, Djar Horn, Jessica Hunsdon, Isaac Jimenez, Simanti Lahiri, Olga Lozano, Mary Ellen Maguire, Lucye Millerand, Josephine Nagle, Carmen Nieves, Christine O’Connell, Helen Pirrello, Arly Rubens, Kay Schechter, Darlene Smith
Statements
Tyler Bauer Residence Life, Residence Life Coordinator: I am interested in serving as a Delegate for URA-AFT Local 1766 to the AFT State Delegate Assembly because I value strong representation and active member voices at the state level. I am committed to listening to our members, advocating for their priorities, and representing Local 1766 with integrity and purpose.
Josh Eaise Senior Program Coordinator: Josh works for NJ-STEP, a higher education in prison program where he works with incarcerated students at a prison in south Jersey. He currently serves on the URA Executive Board and Finance Committee and also helped negotiate the last contract. He has previously represented URA at the state level at both the state convention and delegate assembly and would take pride in being granted the opportunity to do so again.
Djar Horn SMLR LEARN Senior Labor Education Specialist: I am running for delegate to the NJ AFT State Delegate Assembly so that I can contribute to the important work of our Union at the state level. URA members need continued strong representation at the state body where policy, governance, legislative, and organizing decisions are made. I have 30 years’ experience in the labor movement as a Union organizer, representative, educator and union member. I have been at Rutgers for 3 years as a labor educator and I am an active URA member.
Jessica Hunsdon Graduate School of Education, Program Coordinator (on union leave to serve as Executive Vice President): As the Executive Vice President of our union, I work directly with members on issues that matter most to them – whether that be fighting against increasing workplace surveillance (e.g. Facial Recognition Timeclocks), fighting for Flex Work, advocating for members in the grievance process and meetings with management, or organizing for our contract campaign. I am currently on union leave from my role as a Program Coordinator for the Graduate School of Education, working directly for you as a full-time elected officer. Serving as a delegate will allow me to represent our union at a state and national level and bring what matters to you into those governing spaces.
Isaac Jimenez SASN Dean’s Office – Editorial/Media Spec I: AFTNJ State Convention is but one day, and I’d like to represent URA in State Delegate Assembly and Committees working throughout the months to advance proposals like statewide single-payer healthcare, and statewide mobilizations around May Day (May 1st) 2026, 2027 as we gear up for national action in 2028.
Mary Ellen Maguire Rutgers English Language Institute – International Student Advisor: I am honored to be nominated to represent URA-AFT Local 1766 at the State Delegate Assembly. I am the Lead Steward on the Livingston Campus I believe in listening to our members’ concerns and will represent our local by focusing on workplace issues that affect our daily lives. I believe in building bridges with other locals in New Jersey, strengthening our bargaining power to fight for pay equity, safe working conditions, and job security. I am dedicated to representing our diverse membership on these issues that unite us all.
Lucye Millerand Executive Board Member: I have extensive experience with AFTNJ’s processes that helps us advance our goals.
Josephine “Jo” Nagle Senior Administrative Assistant: I am seeking your vote to represent URA-AFT Local 1766 at the 2026 AFT New Jersey state convention, the AFT national convention, and the AFT New Jersey Delegate Assembly. I have proudly represented URA in the past at the conventions and the delegate assembly. I hope to continue to provide a balanced voice that represents our diverse membership. I listen to everyone, but I stick to the “bread and butter” issues that directly affect our jobs. I am also committed to building strong, professional relationships with other locals across New Jersey and the nation to increase our collective bargaining leverage, without getting distracted by divisive politics. I would appreciate your vote.
Christine O’Connell President: In a field dominated by faculty voices, the importance of raising staff voices and representation at every affiliation in vital. We are committed to join and make change.
Helen F. Pirrello Retiree: I have been a member of the URA since the start and proudly held many positions from being elected to serve on your Executive Board, a member of our contract team and served on many committees. I am currently a URA Delegate to AFT NJ. I worked at Rutgers for over 30 years. Once a boss asked me to make coffee I told him I don’t make coffee. He wasn’t happy, but I never did make coffee and he never asked again! Respect is still difficult to come by, but when we stand up everyone wins. When we stand as one we win, when we stand with others like AFT NJ we win. It’s not always an easy path but when we walk the path together even with our differences we are a powerful voice. We can’t lose what we’ve gained, but if we are not careful we could. As a URA Delegate to AFT NJ I will work with those that support us and convince others that we are here, we are strong, we fight for our staff and remind all that without a strong foundation (the staff) a house can crumble. I ask for your support as you cast your ballot to allow me to continue to represent you as a URA Delegate (your voice)! Physical therapy strengthens your core being as being a part of AFT NJ strengthens ours.
Kay Schechter COPE Co-Chair: I am serving on multiple AFTNJ Committees – COPE, Constitution, Elections and was past COPE Chair for many years and was HE VP for many years in the past. I really enjoy working with the diverse opinions and love learning new information that helps understand issues of our constituent unions.
Darlene Smith Retiree @ PALS-Newark, Program Coordinator: I wish to continue to serve as a delegate for AFTNJ’s DA because I have institutional knowledge of the Delegate Assembly, I continue to bring concerns and feedback to AFTNJ based on URA member concerns and other AFTNJ member issues, and am willing to work with others to continue meeting the goals of AFTNJ and AFT.