MCLA's 2022-2023 President's Report

At MCLA, we’re moving upward. We’ve been steadily growing the number of students enrolled at the College each year since the pandemic took its toll on institutions of higher learning. I am happy to say that, post-pandemic, MCLA is not merely surviving—we’re thriving.

With two new majors and two new minors, we’re expanding the courses we offer in order to meet the interests of our students and the needs of our community (page 3). This spring, we were excited to announce our Bachelor in Nursing degree, the first such four-year program in the region. Students graduating from this program will be able to immediately transition into a well-paying job, and the community will benefit greatly from a cohort of professionals trained in rural nursing care.

Our Music, Industry & Production major will allow our students to enter the entertainment industry having not only honed their craft, but with the tools to record and produce their own work, and the know-how to promote themselves.

Our minor in Outdoor Leadership takes advantage of the College’s remarkable location amidst the forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Berkshires. As more and more travelers discover the beauty of our region, experienced outdoor guides are highly sought

after all year round. Housed in the Environmental Studies Department, this new minor ensures the next generation of outdoor leaders will not only help promote, but also protect our natural wonders.

The introduction of our Data Science minor allows our students to turn numbers into meaning, and then share that knowledge with others in an impactful way. Data analytics is useful and necessary across a wide range of disciplines, including journalism, political science, business, mathematics, computer science, and the healthcare fields.

Part of the College’s upward momentum also involves expansion. We’re expanding the ways we interact with potential scholars in our community. Adding a teacher licensure pathway for paraprofessionals and an Early College program for high school students meets learners where they are.

To fill teaching vacancies in school districts within Berkshire County and beyond, MCLA and Berkshire Community College (BCC) have partnered to create the Associates to Bachelors Pathway to Teacher Licensure program (page 9) . It provides an efficient path to teacher licensure and is specifically designed for paraprofessionals currently employed by pre-K–12 schools in Berkshire County.

Announced in March 2023, Early College at Drury–MCLA is the first program of its kind in northern Berkshire County, and one of the few comprehensive Early College programs in the state (page 10).

By 2027, all Drury High School students will have the opportunity to graduate with 30+ college credits

at zero cost to families. Rigorous, college-level classes will be offered both at the high school and on the MCLA campus.

As the College continues to strive upward, it is an honor to again be recognized for our work by U.S. News & World Report as #7 on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges for the second year in a row. MCLA is ranked #33 as a Top Performer on Social Mobility among national liberal arts colleges, and first among all Massachusetts liberal arts schools. The College has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top 10 Public Colleges for 10 of the past 12 years and been acknowledged in its list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019.

MCLA was also the recipient of four major grants this year, which will support student learning, mental health, well-being, and food security (page 12). Funding from these grants has made it possible for the College to purchase essential equipment for biology, chemistry, and health sciences students, allowed for the assembly of a new assistive technology lab for students with disabilities, supported the MCLA Food Pantry, and provided care and training for Maple, our campus Comfort Dog.

MCLA’s continued dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can be witnessed in our updated and expanded Gender and Sexuality and Multicultural Resource Centers, the creation and implementation of a Campus Climate Survey, and the return of our annual Day of Dialogue (page 28). On May 17, the College held its first Racial Equity Summit, at which faculty and staff

were joined by Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. MCLA’s racial justice initiative groups will meet periodically throughout the year in order to continue this important work.

MCLA is also in the process of attaining our voluntary reaccreditation with the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The fall 2022 semester saw more than 60 campus members draft standards which were worked into a single draft in spring 2023. The NECHE operations group, led by Vice Presidents Gina Puc and Richard Glejzer, will finalize our self-study for submission to NECHE in anticipation of a November 2023 site visit.

Overall, the excitement on campus this past year has been palpable as Spring Break travel courses returned (page 16) and recruitment of the highly anticipated 2023-24 men’s and women’s ice hockey teams began (page 20).

As we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the years ahead may offer their share of unexpected challenges. The 2022-23 academic year at MCLA has shown us that we’re more than prepared to meet them.

James F. Birge, Ph.D. President

NURSING CARE IN RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS IS UNIQUELY COMPLEX AND DIVERSE, NECESSITATING EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION AT THE BACCALAUREATE LEVEL.”

DR. ELIZABETH FISCELLA, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF MCLA’S NEW BSN PROGRAM

Setting a Course for the Future

MCLA ADDS TWO MAJORS AND TWO MINORS

At MCLA, professors, staff, and administrators are always hard at work, researching trends in employment, new fields of study, and the needs of our regional community. This allows us to offer our students the majors and minors they need to succeed in today’s most sought-after and fulfilling careers. We’re excited to announce four new programs of study.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is First in Region

The College’s new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program came about from just such a community need. In March, the College announced its new BSN program, the first four-year program in Berkshire County, and the only one of its kind within an hour’s drive in the rural tri-state corner of Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. Beginning in fall 2023, this initiative is poised to help address the current and future rural nursing workforce shortage.

“Nursing care in rural and remote areas is uniquely complex and diverse, necessitating educational preparation at the baccalaureate level,” said Dr. Elizabeth Fiscella, associate dean of MCLA’s new BSN program. “Rural nurses need to know how to assess situations and manage client care with the resources available. They

must be flexible problem-solvers who can prioritize alternatives to match resources, time constraints, and cultural expectations — skills that are especially well-served by MCLA’s strong liberal arts foundation — while also meeting individual client care needs, all rooted in evidence-based nursing practice. Increasing the number of baccalaureateprepared registered nurses to meet the demands of residents living in rural and underserved areas of northwestern Massachusetts is critical.”

Fiscella holds a doctoral degree in nursing and is a nationally certified nurse educator with more than 25 years of nursing education experience, which includes her work as an assistant clinical professor at the University of Massachusetts School of Nursing, an associate professor of nursing at College of Our Lady of the Elms, and a professor of nursing at Berkshire Community College.

“MCLA has received overwhelming positive feedback as we prepare for implementation of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing,” said MCLA

President James F. Birge. “We recognize the great demand right now for nurses in Berkshire County and we look forward to helping meet this significant need right here in our community.”

In recognition of the importance of this degree program for the Berkshires, Berkshire Health Systems (BHS), the leading healthcare provider in the county, has agreed to help MCLA fund certain program start-up costs.

“Our region is not unique in experiencing healthcare staffing challenges,” said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of BHS, “but we are grateful for this community’s dedication to training the next generation of compassionate, skilled healthcare workers right here in the Berkshires.”

Brenda Cadorette, chief nursing officer at Berkshire Medical Center (BMC), added, “Educational programs like this one at MCLA are critical to helping rebuild the workforce that cares for our community, and we are eager to partner with these bachelor’s degree students, as we already do with the existing

nursing programs, to offer clinical rotations and meaningful learning experiences at BMC.”

BHS has donated a large section of its BHS North facility (formerly North Adams Regional Hospital) to the College’s programs. The building’s renovated third floor currently hosts MCLA’s Radiologic Technology program. About $500,000 in secured grant funding helped the program purchase equipment to develop a state-of-the-art simulation center at the site. The new nursing suite include three high-fidelity simulation mannequins (adult, pediatric, and infant), a fully smart classroom that can hold 30 students, five faculty offices, and a conference area for student and faculty use.

In partnership with BHS, the site hosts CNA trainings, said Fiscella. McCann

Tech’s LPN program, which uses the second floor of the building, now shares MCLA’s updated simulation equipment to train its students, and the College has hired a simulation expert to work with them. “We’re working with the community to share our good fortune,” she said.

Three new scholarships are available to qualified applicants pursuing BSN degrees at the College. The Dion Family Scholarship provides $5,000 per year to students pursuing a BSN; the Lisa O’Brien Nursing Scholarship provides $2,500-$5,000 to students pursuing a BSN; and the Brian and Vikki Fairbank Berkshire Community Scholarship provides up to $5,000 to students who reside in Berkshire County and are pursuing a BSN.

The BSN program will be funded in part

through a two-year, $1 million grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The grant will allow for curriculum development that responds to the critical workforce needs within Berkshire County and across the Commonwealth. The funds will help support faculty, a simulation lab coordinator, the purchase of nursing journals and textbooks, nursing testing software, and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) fees.

U.S. Representative Richard Neal (D-Springfield) has secured an additional $620,000 appropriation for the MCLA nursing program as part of the federal spending bill passed in December 2022. In its pitch for funding, Rep. Neal’s office noted that 13,500 people work in the health care field locally, and said the project deserved support in part because of its importance to the region’s economy.

Music, Industry & Production Major Adds to Career Opportunities for Creatives

Beginning this fall, a new major will take MCLA’s existing music classes and add arts management and production classes to the mix. The final product will be a bachelor’s degree in Music, Industry & Production.

Music majors who formerly may have focused on music theory, music history, and performing will now be able to add entirely new skill sets to their resumes, said Dr. Michael Dilthey, MCLA professor of music.

“Our integrated music management component prepares students for today’s ever-evolving musical landscape,” said Dr. Christine Condaris, MCLA professor of music.

“Students will have the added benefit of taking four classes in arts management and a capstone course in artist entrepreneurship,” Dilthey said, “which includes how to write grants and how to market yourself, which are very important.” From the ins and outs of home studio recording to advanced

recording and music production for films, these courses will enable students to record and mix not only in the studio, but at live events, as well.

This will expand career opportunities for graduates, said Dilthey, without losing the benefits of a well-rounded, four-year college degree. “We stand by the benefits of a liberal arts education,” he said, “and this new major goes along nicely with teaching students how to think, manage their time, and set goals for themselves.”

FROM THE INS AND OUTS OF HOME STUDIO RECORDING TO ADVANCED RECORDING AND MUSIC PRODUCTION FOR FILMS, THESE COURSES WILL ENABLE STUDENTS TO RECORD AND MIX NOT ONLY IN THE STUDIO, BUT AT LIVE EVENTS, AS WELL.

Data Science Minor Turns Numbers into Knowledge

“We saw a need identified,” said Dr. Erin Kiley, MCLA assistant professor of mathematics, of the College’s 2022 addition of a Data Science minor. “Students who graduate with math and STEM degrees often choose careers in data science, and there is demonstrable job growth in this field.”

A few years ago, during Emerita Professor of Physics Dr. Adrienne Wootters’ last sabbatical with MCLA, she investigated the possibility of creating a data science minor at the College. Kiley said Wootters spoke with alumni who work in the field of data science and analytics, and traveled to meet with faculty members of Data Science programs at other schools. She found that institutions across the country offer disparate programs in Data Science, but synthesized the ideas and learning outcomes of these programs into a report that she delivered to the Quantitative

Understanding Across the Curriculum (QUAC) group at MCLA.

QUAC, which has operated as a committee at MCLA since 2016, opened the College’s Math Help Drop-in Center and broadly aims to advance students’ quantitative skills.

Kiley and other QUAC members came together in 2019 and 2020 to turn Wootters’ report into a minor program for students across different majors. “We decided not to create a bachelor’s degree program, but to start smaller, with a minor,” Kiley said. “We also wanted it be as interdisciplinary as it could be—accessible and attainable to students in all majors.”

Kiley said being an expert in data analytics is a plus in many disciplines; political science majors working on a campaign, future journalists, business majors, health care graduates working in the public health sector, and math and computer science majors all would be natural fits. “At its core, the program is teaching students how to turn data into information, and turn that information into meaning and knowledge.”

To receive a Data Science Minor, students will need to take seven courses: an advanced statistics course, a computer programming course, the new DATA 350 Practicing Data Science course, an ethics course, and two datarelated electives in their major field of study. A discipline-specific independent study or internship serves as the capstone.

Kiley, who is teaching the DATA 350 course, said that students in this course and its associated lab section are currently working with publicly available data sets related to many topics, from United Nations data on birth rates, to European football league scores. Kiley said some of the topics covered in her spring semester’s midterm exam included trees species in fires on the West Coast, the distribution of wild pollinators, and Pokémon characters.

“There’s a huge human element to this and it fits into the interdisciplinary focus of MCLA,” said Kiley. “We thought it was important to have an ethics part to the program, so we weren’t just creating robots who crank out data. We want our student to be prepared to carry ethics into their career path.”

The Data Science minor emphasizes practical hands-on experience with data. The program’s Data 500 Independent Study and internship opportunities allow students to work directly with data within their respective fields. Additionally, the program is partnering with several regional nonprofits to develop an internship model similar to those offered through Computer Science in which students tackle real-time problems. This model involves students working as part of an organizational team to solve dataspecific problems that are relevant and timely. The collaborative efforts provide valuable opportunities for faculty and students to work together to address important issues.

Outdoor Leadership Minor Takes Advantage of MCLA’s Location

It is no secret that the outdoor recreation sector in the Berkshires is booming. In Adams, construction has begun on the long-awaited Greylock Glen Resort Project. With the additions of aerial adventure parks and mountain biking courses, the region’s ski slopes are now year-round destinations. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail continues to expand north into Williamstown and south through Pittsfield. Streams, lakes, and rivers lure swimmers, boaters, whitewater rafters, and those interested in fishing in both winter and summer.

Sited near the Appalachian Trail, in a region bursting with public parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and state forests, MCLA is taking advantage of its location by offering a new Outdoor Leadership minor. Launching in the spring of 2024, the program will be housed in the Environmental Studies Department.

Students must take one new class, Intro to Outdoor Leadership, along with a community first aid and safety class, and complete an internship. Students will also select from among electives that focus on the nature of New England, ornithology, field botany, entomology, environmental justice, and more.

The goal, said Dr. Elena Traister, MCLA professor of environmental science, is to teach students how to independently, professionally, and safely organize outdoor excursions. “The Environmental Studies Department and MCLA as a whole have identified our location as being unique and part of our strengths,” Traister said. “Our department sees our incredibly biodiverse region— with its large protected areas—as an outdoor classroom, and we’ve taken advantage by getting students out it in.” She said the new minor is an extension of that idea, “of taking full

advantage to experience and enjoy the outdoors for both personal growth and professional opportunities.”

Traister said preliminary discussions on the feasibility of the minor began more than two years ago. The topic was first broached by MCLA Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kevin Pezanowksi, who noted other institutions with established outdoor leadership programs. Traister studied a variety of programs throughout the country and realized the College had the capacity to put together a minor that would be in line with those of other schools.

When she announced news of the new minor to her students, they were eager. Some already had experience working part-time or during summers at local outdoor recreation sites or sustainable farming operations such as Greenagers in South Egremont, Massachusetts.

Some of the opportunities for students graduating with an Outdoor Leadership minor include becoming outdoor and environmental educators, adventure guides and trip leaders, zipline instructors, outdoor programming coordinators, site managers, or entering a master’s degree program in environmental education.

WE MADE IT FLEXIBLE FOR SOMEONE WITH NO COLLEGE, SOME COLLEGE, OR THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE A BA, TO FIND THEIR PATHWAY TO TEACHER LICENSURE.”

MICHELLE COLVIN, DIRECTOR OF FIELD EDUCATION AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE MANAGER

Pathways to Success

MCLA AIMS TO SOLVE TEACHING VACANCIES

During the past few years, the country has seen a growing loss of educators. On SchoolSpring, a job search site for educators, there were more than 1,100 full-time teaching position vacancies within 50 miles of North Adams at the start of the fall 2022 academic year. Of the 1,100 positions, dozens were openings for paraprofessionals — teaching assistants often referred to with the shortened moniker “paras.”

This year, MCLA and Berkshire Community College (BCC) are making strides to support educators to fill these roles.

In an attempt to close the gap, paraprofessionals sometimes have assumed positions without proper training. Most paraprofessionals enter the field without teaching licensure, yet take on the responsibilities of a full-time teacher. To fill vacancies, MCLA and BCC created the Associates to Bachelors Pathway to Teacher Licensure program or P2T.

“We have worked with BCC over the years to better align our programs for the needs of students,” said Dr. Nicholas Stroud, chair of MCLA’s Education Department. “Paras have a good sense of what it means to be a teacher. They have the background and expertise working with students

that we really value. It’s not a career change. They’ve been doing a lot of the work, so it makes a lot of sense to support them.”

The program provides an efficient pathway to teacher licensure and is specifically designed for paraprofessionals currently employed by pre-K–12 schools in Berkshire County.

To work as a paraprofessional, an associate degree or two years of college is preferred. The responsibilities vary by the school district and collective bargaining agreements, but largely revolve around supporting the academic, intellectual, and emotional well-being of students across a variety of educational settings.

In addition, a new Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) now offers a more flexible test option, created for eligible teacher candidates to take the next step. New candidates and those who did not pass the MTEL on or after October 20, 2022 are eligible for the MTEL-Flex exam — a testing option for those whose score was very close to the passing score. The new exam also allows for a written submission to demonstrate subject matter knowledge. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can submit an MTEL-Flex assessment rather than retaking the full MTEL.

MTEL prep courses are offered to MCLA education students, and students who enroll in the P2T program also have the support of a cohort style of teaching that allows them to go through the program together.

The Pathway to Teacher Licensure program was designed with paras at the core. It allows paraprofessionals to earn an associate degree at BCC and continue to MCLA to earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching license. Students follow an Early Childhood Education or Elementary/Secondary Education pathway; eligible students may also apply for credit for prior learning after enrolling at MCLA.

“We made it flexible for someone with no college, some college, or those who already have a BA, to find their pathway to teacher licensure,” said Michelle Colvin, MCLA director of field education and candidate assessment of performance manager. Colvin has been working closely with BCC associate professor of education Barbara Kotelnicki to make this happen. “We want to be able to meet individuals where they are and find the most effective and efficient path forward.”

CLASSES FOR THE P2T PROGRAM ARE NOW BEING OFFERED THROUGH THE SUMMER OF 2025. A full schedule can be found on the BCC website and those interested in pursuing the program can email Barbara Kotelnicki (bkotelnicki@berkshirecc.edu) or Michelle Colvin ( michelle.colvin@mcla.edu).

MCLA and Drury High School Form Early College Partnership

In March, MCLA and North Adams Public Schools (NAPS) received official designation for its Early College program. Early College at Drury–MCLA will be the first program of its kind in northern Berkshire County, and one of the few comprehensive Early College programs in the state.

By 2027, all Drury students will have the opportunity to graduate with 30+ college credits at zero cost to families. The Early College program is designed to introduce a college-going identity to local public school students, beginning in grade 7, by building academic, vocational, and self-advocacy skills so they will have the content mastery and self-confidence to be successful in college and beyond.

“MCLA’s Early College partnership with Drury will allow our local high school students the opportunity

to enroll in rigorous, college-level classes at no additional expense,” said MCLA President James F. Birge. “The coursework will prepare them for success in college, as well as set them on a path to advance in thriving careers, both in the region and beyond. The Early College program exemplifies MCLA’s goal of social mobility for all, and we’re excited to offer these educational opportunities with as few hurdles as possible.”

As Early College at Drury-MCLA is considered a “wall-to-wall” program, there are no barriers for any student wishing to enroll in the program. The overarching goal will be to increase the enrollment into Early College courses for economically disadvantaged students, high needs students, students with disabilities, and students of color who have been traditionally underserved in higher education.

Drury students will have the opportunity to take college-level courses on both the Drury and MCLA campuses. In its pilot year, the program saw 65 students enrolled, with 345 college credits being awarded in the first semester of the 2022-2023 school year alone. By the end of the 2023 school year, an additional 144 credits are to be attained by Early College at Drury-MCLA students.

“This program is a game-changer for the students and families of North Adams,” said Drury High School Principal Stephanie Kopala. “When we started this process, in 2018, it was to provide our students with equitable access to higher education and we have achieved that goal. The possibilities for our students are endless with the adoption of Early College.”

Beverly Maselli, Early College coordinator at MCLA, stressed the importance of the program being “wallto-wall.” “There are no fees for books, and all meals and transportation to and from Drury are provided,” she said. “We offer online tutoring services, and students can receive tutoring on campus at our Math Drop-in Center and Writing Studio.”

What Drury and MCLA are channeling with this partnership is a “growthmindset,” said Maselli. “All students can grow, all students can succeed and find a place in college, higher learning, and through internships. Everyone can move into well-paid careers.” She said half of Drury’s students go on to college, but the new program is aiming to raise that to 60-65 percent, with 80-percent taking at least one college course. Completing a college-level class makes students realize they can succeed, Maselli said, and North Adams is committed to making it happen.

World-Class Leadership and Guidance

Jean Clarke-Mitchell Appointed to Board

Dr. Jean Clarke-Mitchell ‘00, assistant professor of social work at Lesley University, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees. She is also in her second term on the MCLA Foundation Board.

Clarke-Mitchell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), who has served as the clinical director of the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and as an outpatient clinician at The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She has more than 20 years of experience in the clinical field and more than 10 years of experience in academia.

“I am very excited and feel very privileged and honored to be chosen to not only represent my alma mater but also to represent future students. To be on the board is monumental to me,” she said. “I’m feeling there is a lot to be done and I’m hoping I can make an impact in so many ways. There are so many intersections to me and my experiences, and I want that to be something that I can bring to the table that will make a difference.”

Clarke-Mitchell has an extensive resume in social justice activism and working with community organizations including the Rights of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) Program as a senior mentor. She serves as a board member on Rockfort Moving Forward, Leadership Councils of Western Massachusetts, Albany Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and Massachusetts Women of Color Network.

“When we consider different decisions that have to be made, I can have a voice at the table. I have a lot of appreciation and respect for people who felt they should nominate me,” she said.

Brenda Burdick

Elected Board Chair

Brenda Burdick, director of strategic communications at General Dynamics Mission Systems, has been elected to the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees, succeeding Mohan Boodram. Governor Charlie Baker appointed Burdick to the Board in 2018 and she was reappointed for a second fiveyear appointment in July 2022.

Prior to her election, Burdick had served as Chair of the Student Affairs Committee and Academic Affairs Committee as well as Vice Chair of the Board.

Burdick started her career at General Dynamics in Pittsfield in 1995, became its marketing and public relations manager in 2002, and its senior manager of marketing and public relations in 2014.

“Serving as the Chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees is an honor and a privilege,” said Burdick. “I’ve had the opportunity to witness the positive impact that MCLA students have had on the success of Berkshire County. With the development of new academic programs, MCLA responds to the needs of our businesses and communities while assuring our students can make an even greater impact on the Berkshires region and beyond.”

Burdick holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Bryant University. She serves on 1Berkshire’s executive committee as vice chair and served as a member of the Berkshire United Way Board of Directors from 2008-17.

Dr.

MCLA BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCES TWO UPDATES

A Boost for Student Learning and Health

In the summer and fall of 2022, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts was awarded four major grants to support student learning, mental health, well-being, and food security: a Department of Higher Education (DHE) Mental Health grant of $94,323, a DHE Student Behavioral and Mental Health grant of $157,205, an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) College Hunger Program grant of $180,000, and a $253,542 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, under the Workforce Development Capital Program.

Supporting Mental Health and Well-being

The Mental Health grant has allowed the College to join JED Campus and Campus Connect for Suicide Prevention, as well as introduce EMR (PyraMed), an electronic medical records system. MCLA will be able to digitize its medical forms and securely communicate student medical needs through the EMR portal after next year’s training commences. By joining JED Campus, the College will be able to establish an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to assess, support, and implement program policy around mental wellness promotion and resources, substance use, and suicide prevention efforts.

The grant has also funded a brand-new wellness area, the Trailblazer Tranquility Space, on the main floor of Hopkins

Hall. In this quiet space, students can be proactive in their own self-care, choosing to meditate, practice yoga, pray, or simply relax in a comfy chair with hot tea. The area will also be used for wellness-centered programming in the coming academic year.

A student-initiated program to bring free feminine hygiene products to campus was also funded through the Mental Health grant. Citron Vending has installed 10 machines throughout campus and student feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Last, but certainly not least in the eyes of the campus community, the grant supports the care and training of Maple — the College’s Comfort Dog.

MCLA IS AWARDED FOUR MAJOR GRANTS

The new Trailblazer Tranquility Space offers yoga equipment and an area for quiet contemplation.

Maple, the College’s Comfort Dog, greets a student in the Campus Center during April’s #MCLAGives fundraiser. On right, Shela Levante, Advancement team member.

Disability Resources, Peer Training, and More

The Student Behavioral and Mental Health grant has allowed for the assembly of a new assistive technology lab, a joint venture between the College’s Disability Resources Department and its TRIO program. “This all came together because we recognize we need to consider students’ needs if we’re really going to help ensure access,” said Cindy MacDonald, MCLA director of disability resources. “The number of students here with disabilities is large,” she said. “Twenty-five percent of our students are registered with our office, and that includes a wide range of disabilities.” She said students have identified as having ADD, ADHD, general learning disabilities, psychological disabilities, autism, and chronic progressive health issues.

The assistive technology lab addresses many different needs, from a simple pencil grip to high-tech Kurzweil software, “the Cadillac of assistive learning technology.” This software is able to read text, including textbooks, and convert it into a digital format.

The computer lab has eight workstations that are adjustable — students can sit, stand, or access them from a wheelchair. LED lamps, which are preferred by those with vision issues, also sanitizes the work areas.

Other hardware the College has been able to purchase with grant money includes ergonomic keyboards and mouse balls — which can be used by those who are left-handed or need to control them with their feet — enlargers, dual QWERTY/Braille keyboards, and updated smartpens that record lectures and take photos.

Along with staff members, current students who work in the lab have been trained to use all of its new technologies.

Other funds acquired through this grant has gone to hiring a part-time wellness educator, bringing mental health experts to campus, training employees on Mental Health First Aid, a MindWise suicide prevention app, and bystander train-the-trainer workshops.

Ending College Hunger

In partnership with Berkshire Community College (BCC), MCLA was awarded a multi-year Community College Campus Hunger Program grant in the amount of $180,000. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered through the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the grant award will provide program support through June 2024.

The grant is designed to increase access to academic opportunities for students of color and students experiencing food insecurity. Funding supported the hiring of recent MCLA graduate Casey Young ’23 as a full-time Student Services Navigator, in charge of making each college’s food pantry and food security programming fully sustainable. A total of approximately 600 students at BCC and MCLA will be served annually.

Other key activities supported by the grant include: the creation of annual programming such as cooking and nutrition classes, workshops on financial literacy and fuel assistance, annual professional development training for faculty and staff on how to address signs of food or housing insecurity, strengthening community relationships with local nonprofits, help with College meal-plan access, an expansion of services to include taxi and transportation vouchers for trips to the supermarket or local farmers markets, and food pantry supplies, marketing and promotion.

Student and office assistant Paige Dufur and Cindy MacDonald, MCLA director of disability resources, in the new assistive technology lab.

Assistant Director of Disability Resources Nancy Rumbolt-Trzcinski making use of the new lab.

Accelerating Equity in the Life Sciences

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) grant will be used to purchase essential equipment to advance student training and career preparation in the biology, chemistry, and health sciences fields. This will allow MCLA to continue to pursue a robust, interdisciplinary approach to a Life Sciences curriculum that prepares students for a variety of careers in research, biomanufacturing, teaching, diagnosis, lifesaving treatment, and other biotechnology fields.

“Thanks to institutions such as MCLA, we are able to continue to accelerate educational and geographic equity in the life sciences,” said MLSC President and CEO Kenneth Turner Hon. D.S. ’23. “Western Massachusetts has a growing cluster of innovation and entrepreneurship. We are emboldened by the opportunities to support economic and workforce development in this region that is critical to our strategy for remaining the global leader in the life sciences.”

Degree programs that focus on quality assurance or quality control are essential to support the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. Tools and supplies that support such programs include a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), an osmometer, sonicator, and lyophilizer, which are important in pharmaceutical design, manufacturing, and biomedical research. Additionally, common equipment such as pH meters and micropipettes will be updated, and more sophisticated instruments such as the inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and gas chromatograph (GC) will receive maintenance and updated parts in order to improve data integrity and accuracy. These specific instruments are equivalent or identical to the equipment of our industry partners, and crucial to student training and career preparation.

“Typically, small liberal arts colleges such as MCLA offer students close mentorship by faculty and small, intimate, hands-on class experiences,

Kenneth Turner, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, visited the College’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation in June 2022. Pictured clockwise from top: Andrea Wagner, Ph.D., chief technical officer and co-founder of Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, with Turner and MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D.; chemistry/physics lab technician Ryan MacKenzie ’22 with Turner; Turner with Ann Billetz, Ph.D., MCLA professor of biology

while larger institutions provide more state-of-the-art equipment and resources,” said Professor of Chemistry Dr. Carolyn Dehner. She and fellow faculty members Professor of Biology Dr. Ann Billetz and Chair and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Justin Golub said what makes this partnership between MCLA and MLSC so powerful is that students will benefit from the best of both worlds. “Since we have such a small

THE MLSC GRANT WILL ALLOW MCLA TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE A ROBUST, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO A LIFE SCIENCES CURRICULUM THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR A VARIETY OF CAREERS.

student-to-faculty ratio, all our biology and chemistry students will have the opportunity to train on the most advanced technology currently being utilized by biotech and health science industries in the Berkshires and across Massachusetts.”

Outside the Classroom and Around the World

MCLA spring break travel courses have long allowed students from North Adams to immerse themselves in the rich and vibrant histories, customs, and cultures of far-flung locales. This year, students and faculty were able to visit Cape Town, South Africa, and Honolulu, Hawaii, because of generous donors working in partnership with the College’s Institutional Advancement office. Foundation Board Member Chrystina “Xtina” Parks, the Milton & Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond Foundation, and a new travel scholarship created by MCLA Emerita Professor Dr. Adrienne Wootters make these transformative excursions possible.

MCLA Foundation Board Member Shares Love of South Africa with Students

Xtina Parks is an African wildlife and landscape photographer, filmmaker, conservationist, researcher, and founder and CEO of ROAM Gallery, based in Williamstown, Massachusetts. As a member of the MCLA Foundation Board of Directors, she also is dedicated to the students of the College.

In March 2023, Parks was able to connect these two worlds by sponsoring a spring break trip to South Africa for a group of MCLA

students and Dr. Anna Jaysane-Darr, MCLA professor of anthropology.

Through her gallery, Parks aims to bring awareness of sustainable conservation initiatives that directly support Africa’s artists and people, as well as preserve and protect the African lands that are home to endangered species. “I was so pleased to be able to share my passion for the animals, the land, and the people of Africa with MCLA students,” Parks said. “How full my heart is to have helped them see, feel, and experience

the art, culture, music, history, and brilliance of the Cape Town landscape.”

The trip included a tour of Robben Island to learn about its significance during Apartheid; a visit to Khayelitsha to plant spinach, view art, and meet entrepreneurs and small businesses; and a stop at the Nelson Mandela statue outside City Hall in Cape Town. The students documented their travels on Instagram — learn more about their trip at @mclacapetown2023.

MCLA students and Professor Jaysane-Darr pose with trip sponsor Xtina Parks (bottom row, second from right) and her guests.

Milton & Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond Foundation Sponsors Life-changing Hawaii Trip

Thanks to the generosity of the Milton & Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond Foundation, students in MCLA’s Fine and Performing Arts program were able to travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, during spring break. The funding covered travel expenses, accommodations, meals, and entrance fees to cultural sites and events. It eliminated financial barriers that would have otherwise prevented students from participating in this life-changing experience. Students were able to immerse themselves in the local customs, traditions, and history of Hawaii, through the lens of sustainable tourism in partnership with local Indigenous culture. Stops included the Dole Plantation, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the Honolulu Festival, and the Hawaii State Art Museum.

The impact of this trip has been far-reaching. Students have returned with a newfound sense of cultural awareness, empathy, and curiosity. They have shared their experiences with their peers, sparking engaging discussions and fostering a more inclusive atmosphere within the College community. The trip has not only broadened their intellectual horizons, but also contributed to their personal growth and development as global citizens.

“Not only did I get first-hand experience of Hawaiian culture, but also learned the impact of tourism and colonialism to the culture, giving me better insight into how I can experience that culture ethically.” —Delano

Mills ’23

“In Honolulu, we explored institutions that were created with the intention of capturing both the indigenous and colonial histories of Hawaii. We made a conscious and genuine effort to explore the deep and vibrant traditional Hawaiian culture through independent studies around Hawaiian mythology, history, and culture.” —Emily Baker ’24

A New Scholarship Aims to Put Travel Within Reach

Dr. Adrienne Wootters, MCLA emerita professor of physics, is working with the College’s Advancement team to create a needbased travel fund for MCLA students.

“I’ve seen what a life-changing experience [travel] is for students,” Wootters said, “and I want to make sure it isn’t out of reach. When the students return, their world is so much wider because they have that experience. It’s an important part of being a citizen and growing as a person. It changes you, and you begin to see your own country through a different lens.”

BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL AND NOT FEEL LIKE A TOURIST—BUT TO ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE, TASTE, AND PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL CULTURE—IS A GIFT AND NOT SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE GETS TO PARTAKE IN WHILE IN COLLEGE.”

—HELEN HOGGE ’23

Spring Break Travel Returns

In the Spring semester, MCLA travel study courses returned and students were able to go abroad for the first time since the pandemic hiatus. Service learning and immersion trips included visits to Ecuador, Japan, Belize, Hawaii, and South Africa.

HAWAII

In Honolulu, Hawaii, students were able to immerse themselves in the local customs, traditions, and history of Hawaii, through the lens of sustainable tourism in partnership with local Indigenous culture. Stops included the Dole Plantation, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the Honolulu Festival, and the Hawaii State Art Museum.

ECUADOR

Student travelers to Ecuador visited San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos and Chugchilan in the rural Andes, attended a soccer game in Quito, learned about organic farming in Guayama, and much more.

BELIZE

The MCLA Volunteer Center (two staff members and nine students) embarked on an experiential learning trip to Belize, where they mixed cement and laid rebar for a walkway at St. Matthews Government School. The trip also included visits to Xunantunich (an ancient Mayan temple), local markets, and limestone caves, along with snorkeling in the barrier reef, cultural talks with local experts, guided walks through the savannah, and canoeing down the Sibun River.

Photo: Students pose in front of Laguna Junco in the Galapagos Islands, located in the Ecuadorian Andes.

SOUTH AFRICA

Dr. Anna Jaysane-Darr traveled to South Africa and Cape Town with her students, something she has done since 2017. The trip included a tour of Robben Island to learn about its significance during Apartheid, a visit to Khayelitsha to plant spinach, view art, and meet entrepreneurs and small businesses, and a stop at the Nelson Mandela statue outside City Hall in Cape Town. The students documented their travels on Instagram — learn more about their trip at @mclacapetown2023.

JAPAN

Students who traveled to Japan fully immersed themselves in East Asian culture. They dressed up for a Japanese-style banquet in Miyajima, visited Kyoto’s Kiyozumi Temple, and so much more.

NOT ONLY DID I GET FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF HAWAIIAN CULTURE, BUT ALSO LEARNED THE IMPACT OF TOURISM AND COLONIALISM TO THE CULTURE, GIVING ME BETTER INSIGHT INTO HOW I CAN EXPERIENCE THAT CULTURE ETHICALLY.”

—DELANO MILLS ’23

Ice Hockey Returns to North Adams

MCLA Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Jeremiah Ketts and Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Heath Isaacson have been traveling the country and Canada for the past year, recruiting players for the Fall 2023 season. The excitement among locals, alumni, and the College community is palpable as this beloved sport returns to North Adams.

Men’s Coach Ketts came to MCLA after six years as the top assistant ice hockey coach at UMassDartmouth. A native of Foristell, Missouri, he attended Johnson and Wales University (JWU) from 2008-2012 and is one of the most accomplished players in the school’s history, with 64 goals and 101 assists. In his sophomore season, he helped the JWU Wildcats reach the ECAC Northeast final for the first time. He is a two-time AHCA All-American and was twice named ECAC Northeast Player of the Year. He also enjoyed a professional career for several years, signing with the Reading Royals of the ECHL (at the time, an affiliate of the Boston Bruins), and spending time with the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, the Pensacola Ice Flyers, and the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL.

Women’s Coach Isaacson arrived at MCLA following seven seasons as the head coach at Division I Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he built the foundation for its ice hockey program. Prior to that, Isaacson was a graduate assistant coach at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. His coaching career began at South Dakota State University (SDSU), where the team he helped build competed in three national tournaments. The Cokato, Minnesota, native is a 2004 and 2006 graduate of SDSU and received his master’s degree in sports and recreation management from New England College in 2015.

BY THE NUMBERS

Head Women’s Ice Hockey

Coach Heath Isaacson has been on the road for the past year, recruiting players for MCLA’s inaugural women’s hockey team. During that time, Coach Isaacson has:

Traveled to 38 different tournaments, showcases, games, and camps | Made 5 trips to Canada | Visited 17 states and 3 provinces | Recruited players from 10 states and Ontario, including California, Colorado, Florida North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey

Voted on by alumni and fans, this NASC logo will honor the former College hockey program by appearing prominently on the men’s team’s homegame jerseys.

VITA Remains Vital

MCLA AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PARTNER TO OFFER FREE TAX ASSISTANCE

From February through April 2023, MCLA and its Department of Business Administration once again partnered with Habitat for Humanity to offer free tax preparation services to local residents in need through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Habitat for Humanity administers VITA, a program of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to assist taxpayers with disabilities or limited English speaking skills, those 60 years of age or older, or individuals who make $60,000 or less a year. MCLA students assist with both basic and advanced returns, including those with itemized deductions.

According to MCLA Professor of Accounting Tara Barboza, an enrolled agent with the United States Department of the Treasury and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the students who participate in this program undergo rigorous training, become IRS certified, and work under her supervision.

In addition to meeting a significant need in Northern Berkshire County, Barboza said, “Participating in the VITA program is a unique opportunity that provides students with valuable, hands-on tax preparation experience.” Students earn college credit by participating in the program and accounting students can use the credit toward requirements for the CPA exam.

Additionally, Barboza said that providing in-person assistance gives the students a more insightful experience. In the surveys that student volunteers take about their experience, they commonly mention their growth in communication skills as they interview the clients.

“For students, it’s a fantastic opportunity if you have an interest in accounting. Most times in an internship you never see the client, but here you’re working one-on-one. They develop incredible skills,” she said. “They’re asking really difficult questions regarding child loss, divorce, etc. They learn about interviewing and engaging with people in an empathetic way.”

Have You Met MOSAIC?

BERKSHIRE CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER REINTRODUCES ITSELF AS MOSAIC (MCLA OPEN SHARED ARTS AND INTERSECTIONAL CULTURE)

Two years ago, MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC) reexamined its mission, which in turn led to the adoption of a new moniker. “The feeling was that the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center didn’t reference MCLA, and the idea of a resource center was no longer particularly relevant to the mission we’re engaged in,” said Jeremy Winchester, MOSAIC director and MCLA associate professor of theatre.

That mission, said Winchester, is to provide artistic experiences to the campus and the community that serve as a nexus between the two, while simultaneously focusing on diversity and equity in line with the MCLA’s mission and values.

The name is not the only thing that has changed. Winchester said MOSAIC has also widened its focus to include more performing arts, something that was especially missed during the height of the pandemic. “We want to reinvigorate the theater arts through MOSAIC, and in so doing shift our focus from exclusively being on Gallery 51 to activating other spaces on and off campus,” Winchester said. “We began to do that this past fall by hosting a concert by [musician and scholar of Black American music] Jake Blount in the Church Street Center. Who he is as a person, a scholar, and a musician speaks to our diversity mission and goal to bring world-class artists to campus.”

A robust summer season is also lined up for the first time since the pandemic began. From June through August, almost every week features performances at Adams Theater, MASS MoCA, Greylock Works, and MCLA’s Venable Theatre, along with exhibits at Gallery 51. “We’re partnering with a wide variety of other community organizations and being thoughtful about which events happen at which spaces,” Winchester said, “in order to serve the community in variety of responsive ways.”

Singer, saxophonist, songwriter, composer, and band leader Grace Kelly performed with her quartet June 15 at Venable. Kelly was a longtime member of

Urinetown

Stay Human, the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Benedetti Teaching Artist-in-Residence WANG Chen [see sidebar] finished their tenure at MCLA with an exhibit in Gallery 51 running from early June to mid-July.Adams Theater will host the full-length, sitespecific version of “ReWritten,” written and performed by Matthew Cumbie and teaching artist Tom Truss.

MOSAIC is now planning for the fall semester, which will include residencies and performances. An interdisciplinary project will tackle immigration and land use. Dizzy Spellz, trumpeter Sean Jones and tap dancer Brinae Ali’s Afro-futuristic project, will look at the African diaspora through the music of Dizzy Gillespie.

“MOSAIC’s mission is also to leverage the College’s resources to act as an incubator for artists to develop work in a rich and purposeful way,” Winchester said. “All of this is run through the lens that this is also of value to the Berkshire community.”

Benedetti Teaching Artist-in-residence WANG Chen

Many artists call themselves “multidisciplinary,” but Benedetti teaching Artist-in-Residence WANG Chen truly seems to be attempting to master all genres. They incorporate drawing, painting, animation, sculpture, costumed performance, fabrication, sound engineering, and 3D game design to create immersive dreamscapes through video installation.

Chen, who arrived on campus last September, said their time spent in North Adams has been incredibly productive. During the fall semester, Chen taught an Intro to Design class, followed by a semester of workshops, talks, and a lot of creating in their studio space adjacent to Gallery 51.

“During my first semester I got to meet the students, and it was really interesting getting to know everyone, their different backgrounds and their personal stories,” Chen said. “It was a different way to connect with art and share experiences, and a way for me to encourage them.”

Chen, who received a BFA in painting and printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014, and an MFA in photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2018, has been trying something new during their residency— woodworking. “It’s making my studio pretty dusty,” they laughed while describing this new medium, “but we try to keep the dirty work behind a curtain.”

The small woodworking tools Chen uses were purchased by the residency, and Chen is thankful for the support and the equipment they wouldn’t have been able to afford on their own. “I’ve gotten so much support from MOSAIC and I don’t think I’d have had the privilege anywhere else,” they said.

Another benefit of the Benedetti residency is an assistant to share the workload. “That’s been really helpful,” they said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever had an assistant and it’s interesting having someone there to share these experiences.”

Although the MCLA class they taught focused on design, Chen said their practice is still rooted in drawing, painting, and handmaking. “I love the craftmanship and the rough product—the imperfect—and then the perfect of the digital work.”

WANG Chen’s residency culminated with a solo exhibition at Gallery 51 from June 2–July 14.

The Tempest

Experts in Their Field

EACH YEAR, MCLA WELCOMES WORLD-CLASS LECTURERS TO CAMPUS, AND THE 2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR WAS NO EXCEPTION.

Scott Dikkers

HARDMAN LECTURE

Scott Dikkers, author and founder of humor website The Onion, met with students and presented MCLA’s Hardman Lecture, “Fake News in the Age of Misinformation. The History of The Onion and How the Philosophies and Practices Have Adapted Over Time” on September 29, 2022.

Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr.

MICHAEL S. AND KITTY DUKAKIS PUBLIC POLICY LECTURE

On November 17, 2022, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., New York Times bestselling author and chair of Princeton’s Department of African Studies, met with students and gave the lecture “Race & Democracy: America is Always Changing, but America Never Changes” as part of the Michael S. and Kitty Dukakis Public Policy lecture series.

Joe Dwinnell ’82

HARDMAN JOURNALIST IN RESIDENCE

This semester’s Hardman Journalist in Residence, Joe Dwinnell ’82, Hon. D.Journ ’23 is the executive editor of the Boston Herald. While on campus, he met with staff members of The Beacon, MCLA’s student newspaper where he first began his writing career. On February 27, 2023, he gave the lecture “Innovations in Journalism: News Must Never Die.”

Sam Fleming

ELIZABETH AND LAWRENCE VADNAIS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES LECTURE

Sam Fleming presented “Righting the Course: Leveraging Aquaponics to Transform Communities,” the Elizabeth and Lawrence Vadnais Environmental Issues Lecture, on November 1, 2022. Fleming is the co-founder and executive director of 100 Gardens. Over the past 10 years, he and his team have installed aquaponic gardens across the United States and in Haiti, and currently have aquaponics programs in 17 schools and two correctional centers, including the Berkshire County House of Corrections.

Boston Herald Executive Editor Joe Dwinnell ’82, Hon. D.Journ ’23 with the staff of The Beacon

BY FORGING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EDUCATION, FOOD, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WE CAN INSPIRE A NEW WAY OF THINKING. AQUAPONICS IS THE COMPASS THAT GUIDES OUR SHIP ON A NEW PATH FORWARD.”

SAM FLEMING, CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 100 GARDENS

Commencement 2023

We celebrated our 124th Commencement on May 13 with commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient Dr. Patricia Okker, recent past president of New College of Florida. In addition, honorary degrees were presented to Massachusetts Life Sciences President and CEO Kenneth Turner, Boston Herald Executive Editor Joe Dwinell ’82, and local business owners and philanthropists Brian and Vikki Fairbank.

YOU ARE MORE CAPABLE AND STRONGER THAN YOU THINK. YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT STRENGTH.”

COMFORT ACHEAMPONG, CLASS OF 2023 PRESIDENT

DEI AT MCLA

PUTTING DATA AND THEORY INTO PRACTICE

A Moniker That Means Something

“When people really think about the words in my title, it becomes clear,” said Christopher MacDonald-Dennis of their new moniker: Senior Advisor for Institutional Equity and Belonging. When MacDonald-Dennis was hired by MCLA in 2018, it was as its Chief Diversity Officer, but that changed in August of 2022.

“We’re now putting more emphasis on belonging,” they said. “It’s something we have to tackle because some people have not felt it in the way we wanted them to.”

When they first started at the College, MacDonald-Dennis said there was a lot of thought put into what “diversity” meant for MCLA. “My work has really become about institutionalizing diversity, because it’s only successful if the community buys in. Now, there’s a common language around DEI; people understand it’s one of our core values. I

was very intentional about every single word in my new title.”

This intentionality extended to choosing the theme of this school year’s Day of Dialogue, held October 19, 2022. MacDonald-Dennis credits MCLA biology professor Dr. Nicole Porther for coming up with the theme: Racism is a Public Health Issue. “After George Floyd’s murder, people really began stating that racism is hurting and killing people,” they said. “This theme allowed people to enter the conversation from different perspectives.” The day’s talks and presentations focused on topics including anti-Asian violence, anti-Blackness, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and how People of Color use their cultural strengths both to liberate themselves and fight back against racism.

“This year’s Day of Dialogue was hybrid, so people could choose whether to participate through in-person or virtual events, and for the first time we had students lead a discussion,” MacDonald-Dennis said. “It was the

event’s fifth year, and I felt like we really hit our stride and the community understood what it was about.”

Reimagining Affirming and Inclusive Spaces

Ara Phoenixx, MCLA’s new program coordinator of gender and sexuality, recently oversaw the Identity and Gender Equity Resource Center and Women’s Center combine into the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) and move into a larger space in the Amsler Campus Center. “It makes sense,” they said. “The fights of queer representation and feminism are so intertwined.”

Phoenixx said having a larger space feels more welcoming to the students and allows the GSC to host its own programming. The Center has also been bringing its programs to the wider campus community. “We want as many students as we can to come to our events and get involved,” Phoenixx said. “Our event attendance has been

increasing and I’ve been excited to build relationships with students so they know they have resources here.”

Phoenixx said their goal is to listen to students to find out what they need and want — some of the best ideas come from the students themselves. One such idea, MCLA’s Affirmation Closet, is located adjacent to the GSU. Implemented by Jack Vezeris ’23 in the spring of 2022, the Closet offers free, gender-affirming clothing in expanded sizes.

College is an important time of self-discovery, said Vezeris, but students often don’t have the money to experiment with clothes and accessories. “MCLA has a solid queer community, but we don’t have the resources to enable people to dress themselves how they see themselves,” he said. “Buying new clothes isn’t an option for everybody.”

Thanks to his efforts, the Affirmation Closet is now stocked with donated clothing in sizes XS to 4XL, as well as shoes, accessories, and unopened makeup.

Arlene Theodore, MCLA’s director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives, also has been at the helm of the creation of a brand-new space on campus. A refurbished Multicultural Resource Center is now in a new,

DR. CHRISTOPHER MACDONALD-DENNIS, SENIOR ADVISOR FOR INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY AND BELONGING

larger location. The move from the third to the second floor of the Amsler Campus Center has allowed the Center, which used to hold about six people at a time, to now allow for 50. An interior design consulting group has helped to split up the large space into a study area, a recreation area for tabletop games, and a lounge area with couches. Theodore said the Center, which now will be able to host its own programming, is “primarily designed for students of Color to be their full, whole, authentic selves.”

Shifting the Campus Climate

In the fall of 2022, a Campus Climate Survey was sent out to all MCLA students, staff, and faculty members. It was part of the newly formed MCLA Campus Climate Survey Group’s assessment plan. “More than 40 percent of the campus replied, which, for these types of surveys, is a good turnout and allows us to feel the answers really mean something,” said MacDonald-Dennis.

The aim is to gather and improve upon scores relating to feelings of cultural responsiveness, cultural relevance, and sense of belonging on campus. Results from the survey were shared with faculty and staff in an April presentation. Focus groups

were formed to create actionable next steps and to offer transparency to the College community. The survey will be given every three years, by an outside entity, to measure success rates.

On May 17, the College held its first Racial Equity Summit, at which faculty, staff, and professors were joined by Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Commissioner Noe Ortega and his staff. Ortega discussed the DHE’s Strategic Plan for Racial Equity, as well as national demographic trends. Members of MCLA’s REJI Team—part of Bridgewater State University’s Leading for Change Racial Equity and Justice Institute (REJI)— shared a presentation they created based on the College’s Campus Climate Survey results. Breakout groups were formed to discuss how the College could operationalize racial equity across all areas of campus. MCLA’s racial justice initiative groups will meet continuously throughout the year, culminating in annual Racial Equity Summits and Days of Dialogue.

MY WORK HAS REALLY BECOME ABOUT INSTITUTIONALIZING DIVERSITY, BECAUSE IT’S ONLY SUCCESSFUL IF THE COMMUNITY BUYS IN.”

Noe

Ortega,

DHE Commissioner

THE 2ND ANNUAL MCLA Awards for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The purpose of these awards is to recognize the efforts of faculty, staff, students, and student organizations at MCLA who promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity on campus in all its forms and who serve as tireless champions of diversity. Two recipients were selected for each award and were honored at an award ceremony on May 2, 2023.

“These awards were created because we understand that it’s not just one person’s job to create an inclusive campus,” said Dr. Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, MCLA senior advisor for institutional equity and belonging. “MCLA has made tremendous progress this past year— conducting a campus climate survey, creating working committees around DEI, and planning a racial equity summit. There’s more to do, but we’re moving in a great direction.”

The Department Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Leadership recognizes an academic or administrative department that has been actively engaged in meaningful DEI activities, as well as contributed to larger DEI efforts on campus.

Freel Library was awarded for researching and creating the College’s land acknowledgement, formulating its Learning Commons, and curating heritage month exhibits.

The Assessment Office and MCLA Director of Assessment Erin Milne were honored for centering DEI in everything they do and always being the first to come to the table.

The Staff Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recognizes a staff member who made outstanding contributions to MCLA’s equity and inclusion effort in their role at the College and in collaboration with other campus entities during the last year.

Jason Canales, assistant director of institutional effectiveness and research, was awarded for supplying data to support DEI efforts with outcomecentered information that helps people understand why DEI is important, and for using his white, cis male privilege to say things others can’t say.

Dr. Jeannette Smith, vice president of student affairs, was awarded for centering DEI in her work, and for always being ready to collaborate with other campus entities to brainstorm and implement policies and programs.

The Faculty Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recognizes a faculty member who made outstanding contributions to MCLA’s equity and inclusion effort, both in instruction and with their service to the College over the past year.

Dr. Kerri Nicoll, associate professor of social work, was awarded for serving on the working group for the campus climate survey, and for always stepping up when asked to help.

THESE AWARDS WERE CREATED BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S NOT JUST ONE PERSON’S JOB TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE CAMPUS.”

DR. CHRISTOPHER MACDONALD-DENNIS, MCLA SENIOR ADVISOR FOR INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY AND BELONGING

Dr. Jenna Sciuto, associate professor of English, was awarded for leading conversations around race in area high schools, and for participating in the 2022 MCLA Day of Dialogue.

The Student Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recognizes a student who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to inclusion and diversity at MCLA through curricular, co-curricular, and community activities. The student has played an active mentoring and/ or leadership role on campus around diversity and inclusion, and promoted equity and inclusion in several ways.

Egypt Benjamin ‘23 was awarded for being a member of NEXXUS and the Multicultural Center, reviving the Black Student Union, and co-presenting “Land, Spirituality, and Identity: A Conversation About Our Experiences as People of Color” at the 2022 MCLA Day of Dialogue.

The Student Organization Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recognizes a student organization that has played an active mentoring and/or leadership role on campus around diversity and inclusion; demonstrated a long-term commitment to inclusion and diversity at MCLA; and is dedicated to equity and inclusion in all its forms.

Founded last year, The Asian Student Association was awarded for hosting many on-campus events including a night of karaoke, Lunar New Year and Holi celebrations, and a lecture on anti-Asian hate as a health issue.

The O’Bryant Distinguished Career Achievement Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion honors a longtime advocate for equity at MCLA who has demonstrated a commitment to inclusion and diversity through a multiplicity of engagement and across disciplines/programs, has played an active mentoring and/or leadership role on campus, and has shown a consistent dedication to equity over a significant period.

Spencer Moser, director of civic and community engagement, was awarded for being instrumental in serving underprivileged students and working with students experiencing homelessness, teaching a capstone leadership class through which students created the MCLA Food Pantry, leading alternative spring break service learning projects, volunteering on the MLK Jr. Day of Service Committee, serving as a Black Student Union advisor and a member of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, consistently speaking up about checking his privilege, and leading by example.

Arlene Theodore and Student Award recipient Egypt Benjamin ’23

Career Achievement Award recipient Spencer Moser

Faculty Award recipient Dr. Kerri Nicoll and Dr. Christopher MacDonald-Dennis

STUDENT AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

We’re reflecting back on the impressions all our MCLA students made this year. The following students were recognized at the end of the Spring 2023 semester for going above and beyond in their studies, as club and organization leaders, and as community citizens. MCLA also offers more than 100 scholarships for qualifying students. We’re proud of each and every MCLA student and are proud to share this list with the world.

Academic Department Awards

Specific awards given by MCLA’s academic departments

BIOLOGY

Biology Achievement Award

Rachel Houghtaling

Health Achievement Award

Kathryn Kopetchny

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science Award/Ada

Lovelace Computer Science

Outstanding Student Award

Scott Ferris

Irwin Thomas

EDUCATION

Raymond C. Sullivan Award

Emily Olsen

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Environmental Science Award

Abby Abrahamson

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Andrew S. Flagg Art Award

Ana Sheehy

Kennedy Sobon

Francis H. Bissaillon Memorial

Drama Award

Abigail Daggett

Harlequin Drama Award

Caitlyn Falzone

Vivian Dix Redman Award

Maia Rice

Wilfred J. and Marion Quintin Music Award

Haley Rode

HISTORY/POLITICAL SCIENCE/GEOGRAPHY

Ames Samuel Pierce

History/PolSci Award

Brevan Bove

Alyssa Eden

Emily Kelleher

David Pacheco Umanzor

Armanni Rios

Casey Young

Bob Bence International Studies Scholarship

Ian Smith

Edmund K. Luddy Memorial Award

Joshua Gould

MATHEMATICS

Iris Cavazza Lilly Award

Ashley Pacheco

PSYCHOLOGY

Deborah Foss Psychology

Research Award

Derek McGuire

Psychology Department Award

Aliza Gonzalez

Samuel H. Clarke

Memorial Award

Kara Paquin

SOCIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY, AND SOCIAL WORK

Soc/Anth/Social Work Department Award

Katherine Noblewolf

Thomas & Jean Price Award

Caitlin Briell

Ian Crombie

English/ Communications Awards

One of the College’s largest departments, the English/ Communications faculty and staff honor their students annually.

Ellen J. Bernstein/ Gadsby Fund for Journalism

Jillian Currier

Nicole Lemire

Ellen J. Bernstein/ Gadsby Fund for Journalism

Summer 2023 Internship

Karesha Graham

Kyle Milligan

P. Randolph Trabold Photo-Journalism Award

Johnluke Kunce

Ruth P. and Nicholas Boraski Scholarship

Corin Carpenter

Karesha Graham

Darius Cicero

Cacey Desruisseaux

Gracie Fournier

Katrina Nakaya

Jose Sandoval

Vincent Suarez

Emily Horgan

Donovan Howell

Hailey Peabody

Kristie Zator

Cidnee Frymire

Isabel Allen

Madilynn Brothers

Catie Amuso

Ashlyn Bill

Yanni Brooks

Rafael Castillo

Ryan Czupryna

Aristeo Lazo

Shannon O’Brien

Gillian Pike

Thomas Rice

Chase Moreau

Additional Awards and Scholarships

MCLA offers more than 100 awards and scholarships for students who qualify.

Academic Achievement Scholarship

Ryan Taylor

Academic Achievement Transfer Scholarship

Daniel Love

Alan Larese Memorial Scholarship

Joshua Boucher

Naomi Antoine

Alumni Association Scholarship

Thalia Chee

Skyelyn Haynes

Jennifer Parker

Emma Snyder

Anna Ruth Chase Spurr 1930 Memorial Scholarship

Christopher Manley

Anna Yan Ji Arabia Scholarship

Madilynn Brothers

Aramark Scholarship

Naiyer Fraser

Tyler Joseph

Armand and Donald Feigenbaum Innovation Award

Erick Ramos

Avaz Hajizadeh Scholarship Fund for Overall Excellence

Elyjah Garneau

Barbra Jayne Haddad Memorial Scholarship

Kathryn Mellett

Olivia Zaleski

Berkshire County Greylock Scholarship

Ty Aubin

Jenna Sullivan-Bol

Bernard (Bud) E. Riley Scholarship

Benjamin Bonsu

Brooke Cowlin

Bernard (Bud) E. Riley Accounting Scholarship

Aleasia Yeaton

Bernard (Bud) E. Riley Business Major Scholarship

Domenica Gomez

Brady Larkin

Bernard (Bud) E. Riley MBA Scholarship

Laura Tubbs

Betty Kendall Scholarship

Alaina Vigiard

Birge Travel Scholarship

Grace Krzanik

Blue Chip Scholarship

Lauren Henne

Board of Trustees Scholarship

Emily Kelleher

In March, Taylor Hope ’24 (second from left) met with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona (sixth from left) to discuss the importance of addressing student basic need and the power of open educational resources. In June, Hope was appointed to the Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education, one of only eight student representatives from Massachusetts colleges on the Council.

Charles Jackson Craig Foundation Scholarship

Aaron Brooks

Adrian Jerez

Daniel Smith-Colquitt

Antoinette Webster

Charles Mark Third World Study Scholarship

Miranda Maciejowski

Armanni Rios

Paul Seaman

Georgia Dedolph

Paige Dufur

Lauren Henne

Abigail Morrison

Emma Snyder

Class of 1954 Scholarship

Isabella Dill

Class of 1963 Scholarship

Lucien Thomas-Vickory

Class of 1965 Scholarship

Janeilah Vazquez

Class of 1966 Scholarship

Avani Richardson

Class of 1986 Scholarship

Wesley Call

Tiffany Ferreira

Community Service Scholarship

Miranda Maciejowski

Denise C. Richardello ’77

M.ED. ’81, HON. D.P.S. ’18 Honors Scholarship Fund

Audrey Perdue

Molly Wojnicki

Diane Collins SGA Scholarship

Khyahjah Alexander

Dalena Soun

Don Quinn Kelley Lift Ev’ry

Voice Scholarship

Derek McGuire

Don Westall 1969 Memorial Scholarship

Georgia Dedolph

Ahmed Reda

Donald R. Dion Jr. Scholarship

Khin Wai

Donald A. Thurston Communications Scholarship

Audrey Perdue

Leo Skoble

Kyle Manzolini

Jasmine Sardos

Dr. John Moresi Memorial Scholarship

Jose Quizhpi

Ducharme Family Scholarship

Ian Crombie

Educator’s Scholarship

Caitlin Briell

Sophia Rice

Ellen Schiff and Anthony J. Nicastro Modern Language Book Award

Michael O’Brien

Evelyn Hampel Jorge ‘44 Scholarship

Corin Carpenter

Ann Hallenbeck

Samantha Herrington

Caitlin Briell

Justina Pardi

Alyssa Porter

Noelle Skowron

Mackenzie Viola

Fairbank Family Scholarship

Domenica Gomez

Anna Rynkowski

Molly Wojnicki

Aleasia Yeaton

Fairbank Community Scholarship

Michelle Williams

Kacie Copeland

Brannon O’Donovan

Abby Bird

Benjamin Bonsu

Ty Aubin

Logan Osorio

Brigette Marcil

Fitzpatrick Family B-HIP Scholarship

Trinity Luther

Haelie Paquette

Aaliyah Weinheimer

Johan Serrano

Khin Wai

Florence Wineberg Residence Experience Scholarship

Josiah Brown

Foster Family Scholarship

Jessica Halverson

Frederick K. Bressette 1946 Performing Arts Scholarship

Rachel Lamarre

Gailanne M. Cariddi Memorial Scholarship

Lexi Fappiano-Whalen

Gary F. Kelley Computer Science and Math Scholarship

Ashley Pacheco

Grace S. Hampel Scholarship

David Babineau

Emma Butler

Corey Callander

Lena DuPont

Armanni Rios

Paul Roeder

Anna Rynkowski

Shaborn Allah

Ethan Almonte

Abby Bird

Brigette Marcil

Chase Moreau

Lindsey Piantoni

Tyler Pettit

Heather Fischlein Memorial Scholarship

Haelie Paquette

Henry J. Bruton

Scholarship for Women

Savanah Brown

Emma Butler

Lena Dupont

Sophie Elser

Denise Foss

Nicole Haas

Kathryn Kopetchny

Victoria Leja

Alyssa McCluskey

Alyssa Mercier

Stacie Morris

Abigail Morrison

Shamika Mungin

Iris Navom

Jennifer Parker

Juliana Rodriguez

Samantha Rodriguez

Chloe Smith

Alain Vigiard

Anna White

Honors Program Scholarship Fund

Lydia Beeler

Jaela Horton

Haelie Paquette

Emma Snyder

Miranda Maciejowski

Ida Maino Trabold ‘36 Scholarship Fund

Kristen Hall

Isanne and Sanford Fisher Scholarship

Georgia Dedolph

Reda Ahmed

J. Michael Silsby ‘76 Scholarship

Lydia Beeler

James A. Hardman Jr. Endowed Scholarship

Nicole Lemire

James L. May, Ph.D. Memorial Endowment Fund

Armanni Rios

Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Scholarship

Alexander Holcomb

Carly Briggs

Kristopher Safford

Ainslie Lafko

Jasmine Hooper

Natalie Rowan

Jane Kerr Kahlert ‘22 Scholarship

Ezmerelda Albright

Jose Quizhpi

Ellie Walter-Goodspeed

Jane P. Avis Memorial Scholarship

Karesha Graham

Jane Ruth White Scholarship

Kathryn Kopetchny

Stacie Morris

Kristina Chilson

Victoria Leja

Samantha Rodriguez

Ella Formel

Jenny Rosenberg Fyler 1913 Scholarship

Pablo Calderon

Faith Leblanc

John M. C. Hess Scholarship

Molly Wojnicki

John Wright

John Morrison White Scholarship

Catherine Cangelosi

Kevin Chen

Aleasia Yeaton

Joseph G. Mansfield Scholarship

Sarah Tomczyk

Kathleen M. Shea Memorial Scholarship

Bobita Atkins

Lawrence V. Gould World Ready Fund

David Pacheco Umanzor

Lee Hamilton Ransford Memorial Scholarship

Maia Rice

Leilani Claire Scholarship

Maia Rice

Sophia Rice

Jonathan Tobey

Comfort Acheampong

Linda and Stephen Crowe Endowed Scholarship Fund

Brandon Hunt

Lola and Edwin Jaffe Arts Management Scholarship

Alison Blakeslee

Olivia Bonesteel

Helen Hogge

Erick Ramos

Mary A. and Walter Grant Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Josue Perez Pacheco

Margaret A. Hart ’35 Scholarship

Jose Quizhpi

Aaliyah Weinheimer

Mary Ellen Harding Memorial Scholarship

Eric Dupont

Tyler-Earl George

Alexander Holcomb

Lisa Marsala

Margaret, Frances, Nellie Karrey Scholarship

Dylynn Hardee

MCLA Scholarship

Irving Mogene

Ava Dunville

Brandon Hill

Kara Paquin

Noah Singer

MCLA Travel Course Scholarship

Tiffany Barnett

Ashley DelRatez

Bryan Hall

Sean Murphy

Deinara Seamans

David Pacheco Umanzor

Melvin Band Scholarship in Mathematics

Bobita Atkins

Michael and Elaine Christopher Scholarship

Seth Dupee

Mitchell L. West Opportunity Scholarship

Pamela Gonzalez

Mohan Boodram and Robert Morris Endowed Scholarship

Kiajah Utley

MountainOne Internship Scholarship

Domenica Gomez

Haelie Paquette

Nancy Wright Scalise Cozzaglio Scholarship

Marko Iwasiwka

NASC Scholarship Fund

Khyahjah Alexander

Norma Lorell Starr Memorial Scholarship

Lucien Thomas-Vickery

Northern Berkshire EDC Scholarship

Kristina Chilson

Madison Goodell

Connor Diehl

Outstanding Resident Student Scholarship

Domenica Gomez

Pamela P. Dennis Scholarship

Charity Curtiss

Daniel Rizvic

Salimatu Bah

Paula Nickerso- Plock ‘73 Scholarship

Rosemary Flavin

Kristen Hall

Ashley Pacheco

Philomena J. Dolan Memorial Scholarship

Ashton Peixoto

Sarah Tomczyk

President Mary K. Grant Service Award

Mardo Bouanga

Resident on the Rise

Lydia Beeler

Sharron Sprague Zavattaro

1985 Scholarship

David Pacheco Umanzor

South Africa Travel Scholarship

Tea Caravello

Kaiya Cocliff

Ian Crombie

Taylor Hope

Sydney Johnson

Rebekah Julmiste

Kathleen Najarian

Victoria Tynan

Jheneay Watkins

Mahoganye Davis

This spring, Juliana Rodriguez ’23 completed a fellowship at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. After graduation, she began work as a trainee in the Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital Summer Research Program. This opportunity grants Rodriguez an $8K award and funding to present research at a national conference. Pictured: Rodriguez with Fiona Brown LCSW, research assistant at Austen Riggs

Stephen Green Community Engagement Scholarship

Lauren Henne

Charlotte Kane

Georgia Dedolph

John Anderson

Lydia Beeler

Thomas and Susan Aceto Scholarship

Liam Gibney

Matthew Lewellyn

Tom Olsen Scholarship

Owen Brown

Timothy Jay Psychology

Ambassador Fund

Sophie Elser

Rodney Bartlet Card and

Rita Rosch Card Visual Arts Scholarship

Delano Mills

Eloise Baker

Maxwell Fyfe

Yvonne Leonesio Memorial Scholarship

Xavier Delisle

Ziomek Family Scholarship

Janeilah Vazquez

Students Create “Waiting Room” as a Collaborative Reflection on the Pandemic

A cloud of surgical masks, stacked news headlines, voice recordings, and silhouettes of students surround a single folding chair in the Bowman Hall Gallery space. The exhibit, “Waiting Room,” was created by the 11 students in Dr. Victoria Papa’s Fall 2022 course Creativity & Survival. The immersive art installation tells the story of the pandemic and the students’ understanding of intersected trauma.

The class was divided into four teams — design, installation, performance, and promotion — to create “Waiting Room,” which asks its participants to explore the intersecting crises of COVID-19, and strategies for coping with an ongoing sense of uncertainty. It communicates the imaginative potential of collective witnessing at the same time it makes space for individual reflection.

“The students were able to bring different skill sets and interests into this project and connect what we were learning to the course and their major,” said Papa. “It allowed students to think through the foundational ideas from the course. There was a real sense of community around the whole project.”

COVID-19 isn’t the only topic addressed in the exhibit. It also examines supremacist cultures, the Black Lives Matter movement, reproductive rights, healthcare accessibility, queer and trans rights, and the Earth.

Eleanor Gubbins ’24 worked on the installation team. Although she is an English major, Gubbins utilized skills she developed while participating in high school theatre. “It was cool to create something,” she said. “It’s not something you do in your everyday English class, and I learned so much more about COVID and people’s experiences from this class than I had in the last three years.”

She reflected on the brainstorming session she had with her classmates at the beginning of the semester, when the planning began. They all knew they wanted a piece of themselves in the project, and so incorporated an audio component and silhouettes of their classmates.

On the day of the exhibit’s opening, students in the course sat in the installation’s chair for an hour each. Unfortunately, Gubbins could not attend because she contracted COVID. “It was so ironic and weirdly full circle,” she said.

“COVID-19 continues to alter our day-to-day experiences,” Papa said. “It’s still this looming threat.”

Gubbins worked with her classmate Corin Carpenter ‘24 to apply for an undergraduate research grant to fund the project, in addition to support from MCLA Arts & Culture and the English & Communication Department. Creative consultation was provided by Professor Melanie Mowinski, Assistant Director of MCLA Arts and Culture Nicholas Rigger, and Erick Ramos-Jacobo, an arts management student.

To lay out the installation, design team member Ashley DelRatez ‘23 mocked up blueprints using Adobe InDesign. She assisted the design team with installation and helped record audio files, which consisted of a list of questions sent to all the students. Their responses were recorded and then layered with clips of media headlines played on a loop.

“I’m so proud and happy with how it came together,” DelRatez said. “Our team put in a lot of work and it was a great experience to get to know my classmates better.”

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS |

2022-23

Every year, MCLA’s faculty members write, edit, and contribute to papers and articles, receive awards and grants for their research, are quoted as experts, and contribute to their community, among other accolades. We are proud to present this list of accomplishments for the 2022-23 academic year.

Biology

Education

Dr. Beilin’s “Revenge of the Scapegoat” won the 2022 Vermont Book Award, in the Fiction category. The award celebrates works of outstanding literary merit by Vermont writers.

Dr. Andrew Best, assistant professor of biology

This year, Dr. Best published “Variation in human functional eccrine gland density and its implications for the evolution of human sweating” in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology. He presented at the American Association of Biological Anthropologists conference in April of 2022 and 2023. He was an MCLA Faculty Incentive Award winner for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Business

Dr. Thomas Whalen, professor of business administration

Dr. Whalen serves on the board of ProAdams, a local economic development organization, and as a member of the Adams Zoning Board of Appeals.

Dr. Clio Stearns, assistant professor of education

In collaboration with North Adams Public Schools, Dr. Stearns leads a workshop called Supporting Educator Emotions. In the spring of 2022, 16 educators participated, and 20 educators took part in the spring 2023. The weekly workshops help North Adams teachers work through the emotional complexities of their work. Feedback has been uniformly positive. Dr. Stearns also has two research articles under review with Educational Studies and Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. Both pieces deal with the emotional and educational fallout of COVID-19 for pre-service teachers and children.

English and Communications

Dr. Amber Engelson, associate professor of English & communications

This summer, Dr. Engelson published a book in the National Council of Teachers of English’s Studies in Writing & Rhetoric series. Drawing from 13 years of ethnographic research in Indonesia, Engelson explored how Indonesian scholar-activists work toward Islamic gender justice at the borderlands between their Islamic faith and the many voices working toward gender justice they engage with: as scholars and activists, locally and globally, in English, Indonesian, and otherwise. By amplifying the rhetorical practices of scholar-activists writing from positionialities long silenced by the colonial matrix of power, the book adds nuance to conversations in translingual, decolonial, and feminist rhetorics.

conventions, and on March 10 spoke at the College Media Association Spring Convention at the New York Marriott Marquis. His topic was Convergence and Monetization. A longtime journalist and college media professional, Johnson advises both the MCLA Beacon newspaper and WJJW radio station.

Gillian Jones, adjunct instructor

Through June 1, Jones is presenting an online exhibit, through UMass Amherst’s Hampden Gallery, which brings attention to caregiving. In addition to commemorating 30 years as a photojournalist covering the Berkshires in July of 2022, Jones has been teaching photography to MCLA students since 2001.

Dr. Caren Beilin, assistant professor of English & communications

Darren Johnson, visiting assistant professor of multimedia journalism Johnson is a regular speaker at national college media

Dr. Jenna Grace Sciuto, associate professor of English Dr. Sciuto published an article on Haitian American and Dominican American Literature in The Global South and a chapter on Faulkner and world literature in The New William Faulkner Studies (Cambridge University Press). She was invited to the Editorial Board of The Faulkner Journal, and she received a Lillian Gary Taylor Visiting Fellowship in American Literature to work with the William Faulkner Collection at the University of Virginia. Sciuto presented her research

internationally at conferences in Atlanta and Boston, as well as Oxford, Mississippi and Amiens, France. She also gave two invited talks for the Ernest J. Gaines Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Gaines’ work, drawn from her first book.

Fine and Performing Arts

open studio sessions, and more in support of her recent book, “Collage Your Life,” at her studio at Greylock WORKS in North Adams. She spent January at Green Olive Arts, an artist residency in Tétouan, Morocco. She then traveled to northern Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, beginning at Saint John Pied du Port and ending at Finisterre, a roughly 550mile walk over the course of 40 days. This summer, she is teaching Collage, Composition, and Containers at Snow Farm in Goshen, Massachusetts, and The Magic of Letterpress as part of MassArt’s New England summer program at MCLA.

History and Political Science

Physics

Dr. Emily Maher, professor of Physics

Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed, professor emeritus of history, former director of women’s studies

Mindful of the values of inclusion and diversity, Dr. Gengarelly published an article in The Folk Art Messenger (Fall 2022) that highlights wall murals as public outsider art. Sponsored by the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Honoring Honar: Afghan Mural Art in Brattleboro, Vermont, brought together Afghanistan refugee muralists and tape artists from Providence, Rhode Island, who created 17 temporary, outdoor installations. Using the “soft power” of art to call for social justice and rights for women, these muralists sought to connect an American audience with the hopes and dreams of a now displaced refugee minority in southeastern Vermont.

Dr. Uhm published a peerreviewed essay, “Contradictions and Continuity: Constructing Asian American Political and Aesthetic Subjectivities in the Work of Ruth Asawa,” in the September 2022 issue of Verge, and contributed an essay, “Ritual,” to artist Hyeree Christina Mary Ro’s monograph this summer. At the annual Association for Asian Studies conference in March, she presented her new research, “Archiving the Memory of Iron in My Body: Formal Juxtaposition of the Organic and Iron in Kelvin Kyung Kun Park’s Cheonggyecheon Medley,” and organized the panel Representing Labor in Global Asias as a cochair and discussant.

Dr. Jones-Sneed was a 2022 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Humanities. She was honored by Governor Charlie Baker in October at the Governor’s Awards Celebration, held at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. Jones-Sneed was selected for the honor based on her 25 years of research into the African American population of the Berkshires.

Dr. Samantha Pettey, associate professor of political science

Ahead of the midterm elections, Dr. Pettey wrote an election prediction and analysis piece, “The 2022 midterms: why this may be another record setting election for women in the House of Representatives” for the London School of Economics’ American Politics and Policy Blog. In the piece, she analyzed open seats and the competitive races of the 2022 cycle to determine the potential gender makeup of the 118th House of Representatives. The piece also took a close look at how abortion played a role in tossup races where women were on the ballot.

Dr. Maher continues to work on the MINERvA experiment at Fermilab, which has published six papers detailing its work measuring neutrino cross sections, including a study that allowed it to measure the proton’s size and structure using neutrinoscattering. This result was recognized as important by the field and published in Nature, the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal. In January, Maher and an MCLA freshman physics major attended the American Physical Society’s Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at Brown University. Maher was awarded the MCLA Faculty Incentive Award for her proposal, “Holy Experiential Learning, Batman, the Physics of Superheroes is Adding a Lab!” She and her research collaborators published a paper, “Measurement of the axial vector form factor from antineutrino–proton scattering,” in the February 1 issue of Nature.

Psychology

During the fall of her 202223 academic-year sabbatical, Mowinski hosted workshops,

Dr. Bartini presented with MCLA head soccer coach Deborah Raber at the United Soccer Coaches Annual National Convention.

Dr. Anthony Gengarelly, emeritus professor of fine arts, director of the Jessica Park Project at MCLA

Melanie Mowinski, assistant professor of art history and museum studies

Dr. Eunice Uhm, assistant professor of art history and museum studies

Dr. Maria Bartini, professor of psychology

Photo courtesy of The Beacon

This year’s session, in Philadelphia, focused on curriculum development for youth goalkeepers. As a developmental psychologist, Bartini shared her knowledge of cognitive, physical and social-emotional development for children ages 9–12, and Raber added how that research applies to proper goalkeeper training.

Sociology Anthroplogy, and Social Work

Dr. Ingrid E. Castro, professor of sociology

Student Award Committee (chair), Mirra Komarovsky Book Award Committee, and the Nominations Committee. Castro is also co-chair of ESS’s Committee on the Status of Gender Equality. She was the organizer for two panels at the annual ESS meeting: Gender(ed) Identities/Gender(ed) Work, and Gender and Pop Culture. Castro was a 2023 recipient of ESS’s Post Tenure Public Sociology Award.

Dr. Carter J. Carter, assistant professor of clinical psychology

Dr. Carter received the Diversity Award from APA Division 39 (Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology). The award “recognizes an individual who has made important contributions in expanding knowledge and advancing issues of diversity within psychoanalytic psychology and/or psychoanalysis.” He also served as co-chair of Division 39’s 42nd annual conference. Carter was invited to deliver Grand Rounds for Boston University’s Department of Psychiatry and for the Austen Riggs Center, where he presented research that is forthcoming in academic journals, including Studies in Gender and Sexuality.

Dr. Castro continued her position as an elected officer on the Executive Committee for the Eastern Sociological Society (ESS). She is also the elected chair of the Section on Children and Youth for the American Sociological Association (ASA). Castro was chair of the Programming Committee and a member of the Distinguished Mid-Career Award for ASA’s Section on Children and Youth. She also served on the following committees for ESS: Charles V. Willie Minority Graduate

Dr. Anna Jaysane-Darr, associate professor of anthropology

Dr. Jaysane-Darr wrote the chapter “I would expect her to know that she’s a Dinka’: Defining Successful Reproduction and Resettlement among

South Sudanese Refugees” in the edited volume Refugee Resettlement in the United States: Loss, Transition, and Resilience in a Post-9/11 World, published by Routledge in 2022. She presented “Autistic Infrastructures: School as Sensorium” at the American Anthropological Association’s annual meeting, in November of 2022, in Seattle. She also completed her Spencer Foundationfunded research in Cape Town, South Africa, in the summer of 2022.

Head women’s soccer coach Deb Raber and Dr. Maria Bartini, professor of psychology, copresented at the United Soccer Coaches Annual National Convention in Philadelphia.

STAFF

ACCOMPLISHMENTS | 2022-23

Institutional Advancement

Kate Gigliotti, chief advancement officer and Shela Levante, Advancement team member

Gigliotti and Levante presented “No Dollar Left Behind: Leveraging Major Gifts During Days of Giving” at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Districts I and II Joint Conference, on March 14, 2023 in New York City.

MCLA Arts & Culture

Nicholas Rigger, assistant director, MOSAIC Rigger was appointed by the mayor of North Adams to serve on the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire.

Student Affairs

Dr. Joshua Mendel, director of corporate engagement and strategic partnerships Mendel and five others copresented a workshop on the topic of K-12 and college partnerships at the 2023 National School Board Conference, in Orlando, Florida, on April 1.

MCLA Student Affairs Office staff members attended the 2023 NASPA Annual Conference, held in Boston, from April 1–5. The event is the largest professional development conference for student affairs administrators in higher education, this year welcoming more than 5,000 attendees.

[See photo below right]

Annemarie Boyle, residence hall director Boyle was on a team that took first place in the New Professionals Case Study Competition at the October 12–14 NEACUHO Annual Conference in Niagara Falls.

Deb Raber, head women’s soccer coach, sport performance coach Coach Raber presented with MCLA psychology professor Dr. Maria Bartini at the United Soccer Coaches Annual National Convention. This year’s session, in Philadelphia, focused on curriculum development for youth goalkeepers. As a developmental psychologist, Bartini shared her knowledge of cognitive, physical and social-emotional development for children ages 9–12, and Raber added how that research applies to proper goalkeeper training.

Chris Hantman, coordinator of civic engagement

Hantman published his second collection of poetry, “What Does It Take To Be A Martyr In This Place?: A Collection of Poems about Grief and Loss.”

Jeannette Smith, vice president of student affairs Smith was elected to the Williamstown Community Chest board for a threeyear term.

Advancement staff member Shela Levante and Chief Advancement Officer Kate Gigliotti co-presented at the CASE Conference in New York City

L to R: Deborrah Hebert, interim dean of students; Jeannette Smith, vice president of student affairs; Arlene Theodore, director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives; April Wright, director of division operations and programs; and Patrick Connelly, dean of Title IX and wellness.

April Wright, director of division operations and programs

Wright was elected to the 2023 NASPA Annual Conference Planning Committee, and she and other MCLA Student Affairs staff members attended this year’s conference, held in Boston from April 1–5. The event is the largest professional development conference for student affairs administrators in higher education, this year welcoming more than 5,000 attendees.

TRIO Student Support Services

Economic Impact

TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET $50,390,754

Source:

Dr. Barbara Baker, TRIO program director

In March, Dr. Barbara Baker participated in the 2023 Council of Education’s Leadership and Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., as a New England Educational Opportunity Association TRIO Scholarship Recipient.

EMPLOYEES College Employees 279 Full Time 68 Part Time Employee Salary & Benefits $27,696,593 Salary & Benefits $19,387,615 After tax (70%) $11,632,569 Employee Spending (60%)

Source:

UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE Student Spending

Sheriann Stanton, TRIO success advisor and project coordinator

On April 6, Stanton presented “Exploring How Our Names Help Tell Our Story” at the New England Educational Opportunity Association (NEOA) Annual Conference.

$1,596,078 + $38,520 = $1,634,598 ($1,980 x 806.1 Undergraduate Students FTE) ($300 x 128.4 Graduate Students FTE)

Source:

enrollment file.

Detail of “Passing Over I, II and III” by Jarvis Rockwell (b. 1932). Rockwell donated this artwork to MCLA in 2013, and it hangs in Bowman Hall. In the artist’s words, the organized clutter of these carefully chosen and placed everyday items reflect the impermanence and transience of “all of our stuff.”

MCLA Executive Leadership

James F. Birge, Ph.D.

PRESIDENT

Bernadette Alden

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Barbara T. Chaput

EXECUTIVE DRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES/ PAYROLL OFFICE

Joseph DaSilva

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Richard Glejzer, Ph.D.

VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Lisa Lescarbeau ’13

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, Ph.D.

SENIOR ADVISOR FOR INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY AND BELONGING

Gina Puc ’07

VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Jeannette Smith, Ph.D.

VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Robert P. Ziomek ’89

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

2022-2023

MCLA Board of Trustees

Brenda Burdick, CHAIR

John Barrett III ’69

Mohan Boodram

Jean Clarke-Mitchell, Ph.D.

Jondavid (JD) Chesloff

Frederick J. Keator, VICE CHAIR

Karen Kowalczyk

Denise Marshall ’81

Robert Reilly, Ed.D.

Franklyn Reynolds

Kathleen Therrien ’97

STUDENT TRUST EE: Taylor Hope ’24

2022-2023 Alumni Association Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Kaite Bonneville Rosa ’10, PRESIDENT

Jacob Boillat ’18, VICE PRESIDENT

DIRECTORS

John D. Cadiz ’88

Stephanie Esposito ’12

Lizz Furtado ’91

Danielle Gismondi ’10

Carla J. Holness ’95

Gary Lavariere ’16

Glenn Lawson ’77

Joe McCue ’75

Kevin J. McGrath ’93

Devan Monroe ’13

Jonathan Monroy ’13

Alex Mukendi ’13

Bentley Munsell ’15

Theresa O’Bryant ’86

Michael Obasohan ’11

Kimberly Roberts-Morandi ’91, M.Ed. ’00

Carol Spector ’82

Crystal Wojcik ’21

2022-2023 MCLA Foundation Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Julie Arnold ’94, CHAIR

Jason Dohaney ’04, VICE CHAIR

JamieEllen Moncecchi, TREASURER

Amy Smith ’96, CLERK

Robert Ziomek ’89, PRESIDENT

DIRECTORS

Michael Avis ’91

Anthony Barbosa ’15

Tara Barboza, MBA ’12

Kimberly Boyden-Briones ’89

Timothy Cherubini

Dr. Jean Clarke-Mitchell ’00

Frances Jones-Sneed

Mary Nash

Charles O’Brien

Chrystina Parks

Denise Richardello ’77, M.Ed. ’81,

Hon. D.P.S. ’18

Colleen Taylor

Judith Wilkinson