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Joey Parisi Scholarship

Deadline Approaching

The deadline to submit completed applications for the 2009 Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship is October 31, 2008. For more information, download the brochure (PDF 153k).

2008 Parisi Winner

Congratulations to Mr. Carl Warner, of the Michigan AFSCME Council 25, for winning the 2008 Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will cover Warner's tuition for the Bachelor's degree program at the National Labor College/George Meany Campus in Silver Spring, Md.  

About Joey Parisi

Joey Parisi was an organizer’s organizer. He worked for the International Union for more than 20 years before his death on October 11, 1995. During that time, he served AFSCME members on 58 projects in 17 states.

Joey was a unique individual. As President Gerald W. McEntee said, Joey was the kind of person who could walk into a room and light it up. You could hand Joey the tough ones, and you knew that you would get the best that anybody could give. He will truly be missed.

To honor his memory and to enhance the role of organizing, the International Union has established the Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship to help AFSCME organizers earn a four-year college degree in labor studies through the National Labor College.

College Degree Program

The College Degree Program has been developed to fit the needs of union leaders who want to earn a degree in labor studies but who are unable to attend classes regularly in traditional colleges because of work schedules and the unpredictable nature of union assignments.

After enrollment, participants come to the National Labor College every six months for a week-in-residence where they will attend classes and meet with the faculty to plan a course of study. Students then return home to do the reading and written assignments, mailing them in to their instructors. Two courses each term are customary.

Special features of the College Degree Program include credit for past education, credit for experiential learning and counseling during each week-in-residence.

Eligibility

Council, Local, International Union Staff and Local Union Officers with substantial organizing responsibilities are eligible to apply.

Qualifications

Applications will be reviewed by National Labor College Degree Program officials with special emphasis on applicants showing experience and commitment in the field of organizing workers. Applicants for the Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship are required, in addition to the regular application for the College Degree Program, to submit an essay on their interest in organizing and how they plan to use their educational opportunity in future organizing efforts.

Selection

The winner will be selected by officials of the National Labor College. The winner will be announced by December 1.

How To Apply

Applications to the College Degree Program and the Parisi Scholarship are available directly from the National Labor College. When requesting an application please be sure to indicate interest in the Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship. The National Labor College requires a $25 application fee for the College Degree Program.

Financial Award

The scholarship award covers the cost of application, administrative portfolio, counseling fees, tuition costs for two courses for each of two terms and two round-trip economy airfare tickets from the student’s home to Washington, D.C. In addition, single occupancy room and board for the required week-in-residence and the cost of required textbooks also will be covered. Lost time is not included.

Duration

The Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship will be granted for a one-year period, beginning with the January term. The scholarship will be renewed for a second year subject to National Labor College certification that the student is maintaining satisfactory performance.

Application Deadline

Completed applications for the College Degree Program, including the required essay for the Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship, must be postmarked no later than October 31 of each year.

For additional information or to request an application write to:

College Degree Program
National Labor College
10000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20903

Or call the College Degree Program office at 301-431-5404 or 800-462-4237. You may also reach the NLC by email: lclemons@nlc.edu or visit The NLC website: http://www.nlc.edu/ 

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1968 AFSCME Memphis Strike

Author Michael Honey's video about MLK's last campaign.