Director’s Update

Harry C. Katz is the Director of the Scheinman Institute and the Jack Sheinkman Professor of Collective Bargaining.

One of the key ways the Scheinman Institute helps students gain experience and clarify their career goals is through the support we provide to internships, both summer ones and semester length credit internships. Many internships in the conflict resolution field though providing valuable hands-on learning are not paid. The financial support the Institute provides ensures that students from modest backgrounds can pursue their interests and not be constrained by financial worries.

This summer the Institute is pleased to be providing financial support to several students who are working at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) offices. 

During their summer work, some of which will take place at a distance given lingering pandemic worries, these students will be investigating cases and participating in hearings. We also regularly support students who work in various state public employment relations boards.  

In some cases, the role of the Institute’s faculty is to make connections between organizations and students; even where those organizations can provide paid opportunities. Sally Klingel and Ellen Procida, for example, identified several internships with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its affiliated locals for this summer.

The Institute provides financial support by drawing on gift monies from our Lipsky student activities fund. We deeply appreciate the contributions from alumni and Institute friends that make this possible.