CCNY develops new educational partnership with DC 37

The City College of New York’s Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education, originally founded by educators and union leaders, is collaborating with District Council 37, New York City’s largest public employee union, to offer basic computer courses to members.

“CWE Recruitment Coordinator Trisha Baboolal and I met with some officers of District Council 37. As a result of that meeting, CWE entered into an agreement with the District Council 37 Education Fund to serve the educational needs of their members,” said Juan Carlos Mercado, dean of the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at CWE, about the new education partnership to benefit adult learners.

According to Mercado, CWE and DC37 are planning a long-term relationship related to certificate programs and eventually to credit bearing classes and programs. CWE’s first initiative is with a computer training program designed to offer about 70 union members basic computer courses such as: introduction to computers, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Since 1971, the DC 37 Education Fund makes it possible for thousands of DC 37 members to improve their academic skills, language knowledge, technical skills and clerical skills. It has prepared members for civil service examinations and provides financial assistance and guidance for higher education endeavors. CWE is in discussions with DC 37 to continue this program in the winter and spring.

About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided low-cost, high-quality education for New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. More than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in the College of Liberal Arts and Science; Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture; School of Education; Grove School of Engineering; Sophie Davis Biomedical Education/CUNY School of Medicine; and the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. U.S. News, Princeton Review and Forbes all rank City College among the best colleges and universities in the United States.