History of the Center for Worker Education
The Center for Worker Education, home to the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies of the City College of New York, was established in 1981 through a collaborative effort between the college and organized labor.
Timeline | 1981 - Present
- 2016: 45th Year Anniversary
- 2026: UNU–CCNY Hub with the M.A. in The Study of the Americas launched
- 2026: M.A. in International and Transcultural Education launched
- 2026: M.A. in Instructional Design launched
- 2024: B.A. in Social Justice & Urban Life program launched
- 2021: 40th Year Anniversary
- 2016: BA/MA Accelerated program launched
- 2016: 35th Year Anniversary
- 2007: Juan Carlos Mercado | Foreign Languages | Dean (2011 - Present)
- 2010: Andrea Weiss | Film | Interim Dean (2010 - 2011)
- 2010: M.A. in the Study of The Americas program launched in the Fall
- 2009: Renamed the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education
- 2008: Full-time librarian appointed
- 2007: Moved to the Cunard Building, 25 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10004
- 2007: Juan Carlos Mercado | Foreign Languages | Dean (2007 - 2010)
- 2006: 25th Year Anniversary
- 2005: CLAS Division Status, External Review, New Faculty Hires, City Council Funding
- 2003: NCATE review of E.C.E.
- 2003: Dan Lemons | Biology | Dean (2003 - 2007)
- 2002: Jane MacKillop | Associate Dean (2002-2003)
- 2001: 20th Year in operation
- 1999: Harriet Alonso | History | Associate Dean (1999 - 2002)
- 1997: Proposal to increase enrollment to 1000 Students
- 1997: William Herman | English | Associate Dean (1997 - 1999)
- 1995: 6th floor added at 99 Hudson/all classes moved there
- 1991: Karl Malkoff | English | Associate Dean (1991 - 1997)
- 1991: 10th Year in operation
- 1985: E.C.E. program approved/half of program moved to 99 Hudson St.
- 1984: External & Internal Review/CLAS program approval
- 1983: Leonard Kriegel | English | Director (1983 - 1991)
- 1982: Ed Quinn | English | Director (1982 - 1983)
- 1981: Irwin Yellowitz | History | Director (1981 - 1982)
- 1981: Stephen Leberstein | Executive Director (1981 - 2002)
- 1981: CLAS approval/program @14 St. & Federal Plaza
Founding Members
CCNY / CUNY
- Michael Arons | Professor of Physics
- Marshall Berman | Professor of Political Science
- Alice Chandler | Acting President (1978-1979)
- Stanley Friedlander | Professor of Economics
- Stephen Leberstein | Assistant to the Provost & Director, Program for Public Employees at 26 Federal Plaza
- Ed Quinn | Professor of English
- Morris Silberberg | Provost
- Arthur Tiedemann | Acting President (1980-1981)
- Irwin Yellowitz | Professor of History
- Paul Le Clerc | Dean of Academic Affairs
- David Robinson | Member, Board of Trustees
- Joseph Murphy | Chancellor
UNIONS
- Barry Feinstein | President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237
- Fred Caravan | Assistant Director, Leadership Program, NE Region, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Joe McDermott | Education Director, Teamsters, Local 237
- Barbara Omolade | Educator, Teamsters Local 237 and Empire State College
- Daniel Parker | Director, Leadership Program, NE Region, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Irwin Polishook |President, Professional Staff Congress, CUNY
Last Updated: 09/29/2026 19:48