Bio

J. Philippe Abraham is Secretary-Teasurer of New York State United Teachers, overseeing NYSUT’s social justice efforts.

Elected to NYSUT’s leadership ranks as first Vice-President in April 2017, Abraham is NYSUT’s first higher education member to serve as a statewide officer. He came to NYSUT after serving as the elected statewide V.P. for professionals of United University Professions, NYSUT’s largest higher education affiliate representing faculty and staff at the State University of New York.

He’s served as an at-large representative for higher education on the National Education Association’s Board of Directors, and as V.P. of the American Federation of Teachers.

He’s been on UUP’s Executive Board, chaired several statewide UUP committees, including Legal Defense, Affirmative Action and the Committee on Latino Affairs, and served as a member of the UUP Negotiations Team and chief negotiator.

On the UUP chapter level, Abraham represented UAlbany on SUNY’s Faculty Senate, and was the chapter vice president for professionals. He is President of the Albany/Capital District Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, LCLAA.

Abraham earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education and a Master of Arts in Spanish American Literature, both from UAlbany. He is a graduate of the NYSUT Leadership Institute, the New York State AFL-CIO Cornell Union Leadership Institute and NEA’s Emerging Leader Academy.

Born and raised in Haiti, Abraham is of Haitian and Dominican ancestry. He is fluent in French, Spanish and Creole, as well as English.