Public Employee Press


Educated, independent and proud
College grad gains top honors

NYC Housing Authority employee Lisa Ramcharan-Campbell is graduating summa cum laude from DC 37's college program in affiliation with the College of New Rochelle School of New Resources.

The Trinidad native, who came to the United States 30 years ago, said she learned about the program from a coworker.

"My fifth grade teacher told me I couldn't learn and that I would be nothing," she told fellow graduates and their families at a recent ceremony at union headquarters. "I thought she was right. I thought I wasn't good enough."

Now that she's graduating (and has been included in the "Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities"), the former Local 1549 member has been promoted at
NYCHA.

"Now we are educated, independent thinkers," Ramcharan-Campbell told the graduates. "I challenge you to pass the torch of learning, to dream bigger, and to share your story and inspire others."

— Diane S. Williams