Adelphi Political Science Alumna Named to Albany’s 40 Under 40

City & State New York has named Nikki Kateman ’10, Adelphi University alumna and political communications director of the Local 338 Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU/UDCW), to their prestigious 2019 Albany 40 Under 40 list. The annual honor recognizes outstanding individuals under the age of 40 who are shaking up state politics.

Kateman’s current role has roots as far back as 2007. While studying political science and gender studies at Adelphi, she landed an internship at Local 338 as an organizing and special projects intern. For the past 12 years, Kateman has climbed the ladder at Local 338, from intern to political affairs representative to deputy director of politics, communications and special projects and now political communications director for the organization.

In her position, Kateman handles legislative matters that directly impact Local 338 members and their families, including advocating for the passage of the Compassionate Care Act in 2014. She also represents the union on political and legislative matters, community advocacy, and union campaigns throughout New York State — and oversees all of Local 338’s internal and external communications.

Kateman’s success comes as no surprise to her professors at Adelphi who remember her as an outstanding student. “Nikki arrived on campus at Adelphi ready to learn, think hard about justice and debate—in other words, an ideal political science major,” said Traci Levy, PhD, associate professor and department chair of political science at Adelphi. “She consistently impressed us with her intellect, her moral compass and her professionalism. Given what a stellar student she was, my colleagues and I were not surprised when Nikki won two of our most prestigious prizes for graduating majors—Adelphi Political Science Department’s Hugh A. Wilson Award for Social and Economic Justice and the Robert J. Johnson Prize for Best Political Science Paper. We are incredibly proud to call her an alumna!”

In addition to her work at Local 338, Kateman dedicates her time to a number of other organizations. She is a union delegate for the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and serves on the Nassau County Comptroller’s Living Wage Advisory Board, Suffolk County Food Policy Council, and the Suffolk County 5 & 5 Education and Effectiveness Working Group. Kateman is also a member of the Executive Board of the Women’s Network, focused on addressing issues specific to working women and their families, and serves as secretary and board member of the Local 338 Charities, Inc., an organization that supports working families in need.

“Being nominated and selected for this year’s City & State’s Albany 40 Under 40 Rising Stars was an incredible honor,” said Kateman. “It’s a significant recognition for those working on policy and in government at the state level and, for me, it was particularly special because of the dynamic people I was featured alongside.”

» View full Albany 40 Under 40 list