IBEW 2320 is a dynamic local union committed to exceptional customer service, driven by the dedication of our members. We represent a wide array of professionals throughout New Hampshire. Together with our members, we advocate for fairness, respect, and meaningful change in the workplace. Our power lies in solidarity, and we are stronger when we stand together.

IBEW Local 2320 is excited to highlight the members of IBEW 2320, celebrating their dedication and learning more about the meaningful work they do. For this feature, we are proud to spotlight Julie Robinson of River Valley Community College. 

What is your favorite course to teach?

I genuinely enjoy every course I teach!  My top 3 are Anatomy & Physiology 2 lecture, Anatomy & Physiology 1 lab, and Human Biology lab. In A&P 2, students have a large knowledge base which allows us to delve deeper into the cellular physiology of humans. It’s always exciting to see students pull together their own experiences, patient observations from their jobs, their questions and thoughts about societal effects upon health care, and the A&P theory. That higher level thinking and subsequent lightbulb moments are absolute magic for teachers. Labs are the scientists playground, so any time I’m in the lab with students we’re having fun and learning simultaneously.  

What is the best part of being a faculty member at CCSNH?

As a former adjunct at NCC and a current full-time faculty member at RVCC, I believe that the culture of sharing and helpfulness among my peers is one of the best parts. I’ve taught at many colleges, but I chose NCC and RVCC because I am surrounded by many other educators and employees who are emphatically dedicated to students. Many of us willingly put in work time during evenings and weekends to make sure our students’ are getting the best educational experiences we can give them.
 

What are you most proud of in your current role?

I am most proud of the OER work I’ve done. For me, this work is about tailoring course materials for my teaching goals and the evolving nature of students themselves while also saving students money. Like many of my colleagues, I’d been writing my own course materials for most of my career but never thought to label them as OERs. I’ve written lab manuals for Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 that are freely available to anyone in the world at OERCommons.org. I even got a shout out at a webinar hosted by Open Stax, whose textbooks we use throughout the science department. I’m currently writing a lab manual for Human Biology with inspirational ideas  for lab activities from Rob Anzalone (NHTI) and Shanon Daoust (NCC). I’m also converting Medical Terminology to an OER course using some course materials from Lorraine Mancuso (GBCC). This work takes a considerable amount of time and energy, but my time is well rewarded when I see the work in action with students at RVCC and other colleges across the country. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have strong support from President Alfred Williams, Vice President Jenn Cournoyer, all of our system librarians (unsung heros, in my opinion), faculty editors at RVCC , and countless numbers of former students, who also contributed ideas and constructive criticism during beta testing. 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I am an avid sewer of complicated garments and a budding baker working on complex pastries. Both of these are relaxing because they involve precise technique, geometry, and science. The baking part started as I began building a science course that uses cooking and baking as its basis. Yes, I’m a science geek through and through. I’ve also been camping often throughout Norther New England in our new travel trailer with our two dogs.  Writing labs out in the woods is a pretty nice way to spend an afternoon!

What advice do you have for students?

Be inquisitive and put your fears on the back burner!! As a child I was often told that I asked a lot of questions. As I got older and school got more competitive, I became a pretty shy undergraduate who lived with constant imposter syndrome. I was afraid to ask questions or talk much in class for fear of being judged. Instead of talking to instructors, I’d often go to the library and pour over multiple books just to avoid looking silly or uneducated. I promised myself that I wouldn’t let fear stop me when I went to chiropractic college. I asked so many questions that my anatomy professor thought I was trying to mess with him. Fortunately, he soon realized that I was developing the same passionate fascination about the human machine that he had and offered me a TA job.

How does the NHHEU help you?  What is your favorite part of being a member?

I appreciate the unwavering support from NHHEU during our contract negotiations. I’ve been a union member at other institutions, so seeing fellow union members from outside of CCSNH walking with us and attending BoT meetings was great. It felt like we mattered and deserved to be heard. Cassie in particular has been such a help in our fight for equitable and just compensation for the work faculty do throughout CCSNH. Most of us don’t brag about this work, but I believe our union leadership ensured that system leadership heard about the many faculty members who do exceptional teaching and quietly inspire greatness in their classes every day. I also took advantage of union benefits when shopping for a new car and when I bought a Sam’s club membership.

Know someone else who should be featured?
Thank you for taking the time to read this IBEW Local 2320 spotlight! We love sharing stories and successes of our members. If you know someone who deserves to be featured next, please email news@ibew2320.org today!