Kay Emmert is a Lecturer in the Labor Education Program at the School of Labor & Employment Relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she teaches labor law, grievance processing, arbitration, collective bargaining, communication, and leadership skills to union members, unrepresented workers, and university undergraduates. With over a decade of experience as a union organizer, negotiator, and educator, she has played a key role in shaping labor policy and contract enforcement. As Lead Negotiator and bargaining advisor for the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition at U. of I., she successfully negotiated multiple contracts, securing significant gains in wages, job security, and benefits. In addition to her union leadership, she has designed and led intensive labor education programs for organizations such as the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the United Steelworkers Summer Institute, and the AFSCME Summer Leadership Institute. An expert in contract research, writing, and enforcement, she develops engaging, real-world curricula that empower workers with the knowledge and skills to advocate for fair labor practices and workplace protections. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to labor education, equity, and building inclusive, accessible programs that support workers’ rights and collective power.