Introducing Kellie Gallagher

My name is Kellie Gallagher, and I’m a Senior Instructor II in the Intensive English Language Program and a proud member of PSU-AAUP. I have been an active participant in PSU-AAUP in a variety of ways, as a CORE/Action Team member, as VP for Membership and Organizing, and currently as a member at large on the Executive Council. Although I’ve been a PSU AAUP member since I started working here full time in 2007, I must admit I was more of a paper member than anything until we were on the verge of a strike back in 2014. Until then, I figured that being a member was enough, and that the elected officers and staff would take care of things and that I didn’t really need to be actively involved or informed about what was going on. But I realized that PSU-AAUP really was tirelessly working to improve the working conditions of the academic professionals and faculty so that we, in turn, could improve student learning conditions. I also realized the power that our voices have when we collectively raise them. From the Sick Leave Bank, to Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs), to the new NTTF ranks and Continuous Appointments, and to countless other gains that have been made, I have seen and benefited from first-hand the power and benefit of our collective strength. A little bit of energy from each of us can go a long way in strengthening our collective voice!