Berkshire County Arc Hires Director of Brain Injury Services

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Arc has hired a new director of Brain Injury Services, Amber Steele.

Steele has been with BCArc since 2011. She has worked in a variety of capacities within BCArc, including as site manager and as a senior site Manager. Most recently, she worked as a residential supervisor in the Brain Injury Services Department. Prior to arriving in the Berkshires, she worked as a residential coordinator at CapeAbilities in Hyannis, Mass.

Amber holds a certificate in Quality Management from the National Graduate School of Quality Management and will be completing her bachelor's degree from Springfield College, School of Human Services this fall.

"This is such an exciting time to be working in the human services field, especially with all the expansion of services for people with brain injury. There are more opportunities now than ever for people to find their new forever homes in the community," Steele said. "Having had the pleasure of working at BCArc for the past six years, as a part of this amazing, highly dedicated team of professionals, I can honestly say that the future for those we support looks very bright."

Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Friday, June 12, 2026

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.

 

Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.

 

They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

 

College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.

 

She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 

 

"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."

 

Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.