Mike is an advocate for community college issues with leadership roles in the FFECC. He is currently FFECC Vice President, a member of our negotiation team, and grievance committee. Mike serves as FFECC delegate to the NYSUT RA and is a longtime member of the FCCC Governance Committee.

A key to student success, Mike was instrumental in developing a strong advisement program. He serves as the College-Wide General Studies Assessment Coordinator. He organizes several college-wide activities, including a critical thinking retreat. He co-authored the FFECC proposals for holistic advisement and faculty governance. He received ECC’s President’s Award for the FFECC mentoring program.

Check out pictures from the event

"When we were here in April, the whole city - under Mayor Byron Brown's leadership - threw open its arms to NYSUT. The Queen City treated our members regally," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi.

"The mayor, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and local restaurants and businesses, did everything in their power to make NYSUT delegates feel welcome. We had a very productive week and are thrilled to be coming back and contributing to the resurgence of Buffalo and Western New York."

Last April, some 2,500 delegates to the 600-member union's RA filled hotel rooms and enjoyed the best of what the Buffalo-Niagara region has to offer.

"In Mr. Iannuzzi, we have a nationally known educator who gave Buffalo straight As," Mayor Byron Brown said at Tuesday's press conference.

NYSUT estimates its four-day convention, which included a day-long meeting for hundreds of local union presidents, had an estimated economic impact of $3.5 million on the city, based on average spending of $815 per person on food, lodging, entertainment and transportation.

Delegates reported they loved Buffalo. Ninety-nine percent of 963 delegates surveyed said they felt welcomed by the city, and 90 percent reported they were satisfied with their hotel accommodations.

Brown said the RA would have "tremendous economic impact" on the city. He promised a "dramatically different and better Buffalo" with additional hotel space and entertainment options. Iannuzzi praised "the city of good neighbors" for it's open-hearted hospitality and said Buffalo was chosen from a short list of about seven cities.

Vote-Cope is a powerful committee that gives us, the FFECC, greater influence in places where the debate frames our future in public higher education. Your voluntary contribution to Vote-Cope gives us access to lobbyists to work on our specific needs. That ability to advocate for legislation and necessary funding will be crucial to not only our members but also the students we serve.

• Letter to FFECC Members
• Payroll Deduction Authorization Card part 1/2
• Payroll Deduction Authorization Card part 2/2