Meet the 2010 Ohio Faculty:   Mike Foley Policy Matters Ohio Steven Baines Rubén Castilla Herrera Lee Evans Patrice Pennington Allison Petonic Mary Wilson Pam Rosado   Meet the 2009 Ohio Faculty:   Jennifer Farmer Quanita Munday

Jennifer Farmer Past Ohio Faculty Member

Jennifer Farmer is currently the Director of Communications for the Service Employees International Union/ District 1199. She will soon transition from this position to serve as the Minority Caucus Deputy Chief of Staff in the Ohio State Senate. In this capacity, Farmer will work closely with caucus staff to develop policy, enhance personnel strength and advance caucus goals.

As Director of Communications, Farmer was responsible for external and internal communications, including the development of the overall strategic communications plan for the 34,000-member local. She spearheaded several initiatives including the Tour de District 1199 where she facilitated a three-state tour of union workplaces that more closely united Union leadership with the membership.

In addition to SEIU, Farmer has also worked as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Columbus-based Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio and previously as the Deputy Communications Director for the voter mobilization group, America Coming Together.

In each position, Farmer united a passion for working people with communications expertise to more clearly articulate organizational goals and priorities. Farmer has also received numerous voluntary appointments, including Secretary-Treasurer for the Danie Stewart Solidarity Fund, a fund to assist working people in workplace struggles.

With the support of SEIU District 1199 President, Farmer won recognition from Ohio Governor Strickland when he appointed her to the Ohio Anti-Poverty Task Force in June 2008.  She is also the 2009 recipient of the John T Greene Labor Award from the Columbus chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Farmer received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. She is one class away fro receiving her Master of Public Administration fro m Strayer University. Farmer is the proud mother of a precocious 9-year old son, Cameron.