For Immediate Release

April 29, 2026

Kowal, statewide officers elected at 2026 Spring Delegate Assembly in Albany

United University Professions President Frederick E. Kowal was reelected by a unanimous vote of delegates April 25 at UUP’s 2026 Spring Delegate Assembly in Albany.

Delegates of UUP, America’s largest higher education union, elected Kowal by acclamation, with UUP statewide Secretary-Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan-Losee casting one symbolic vote for the body. Kowal, who ran unopposed, was elected to his fourth term as UUP president; he was first elected in 2013. Kowal won a three-year term.

“I am grateful for the support and the trust that our delegates have placed in me by reelecting me as UUP’s president,” said Kowal. “I look forward to continuing the vitally important work of this union for our members, our students, our patients and our communities.

“We will continue to fight for necessary funding for our cash-strapped campuses and for a strong, multiyear contract that provides job security and protections, superior affordable healthcare and well-deserved salary increases for our members,” he continued. “Now, let’s get to work.”

Click HERE to download a photo of UUP President Fred Kowal.

O’Bryan-Losee and another statewide officer, Membership Development Officer Patrick Romain, were also elected by unanimous votes. Both candidates ran unopposed and were elected to three-year terms by acclamation.

UUP delegates also elected two new members to the union’s statewide Executive Board, for three-year terms that start June 1. They are:

• Brendan McGovern of Binghamton University. He is president of UUP’s Binghamton Chapter.
• Matthew Smith of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is president of UUP’s ESF Chapter.

Six other Executive Board members were reelected to three-year terms. They are:

• Redetha Abrahams-Nichols, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She is president of UUP’s Downstate Chapter.
• Bret Benjamin, University at Albany. He is UUP’s chief negotiator for a new contract with the state.
• Rebecca Bryan, SUNY Cortland
• Mindy Heath, Upstate Medical University. She is president of UUP’s Upstate Chapter.
• Pamela Malone, SUNY Empire State University
• Samuel Marquez, SUNY Downstate