MCLA Announces New Staff

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NORTH ADAMS – Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts recently welcomed a number of new staff to a variety of positions for the upcoming academic year.

They include the following:

Maritsa Barros is the assistant director of admissions for multicultural recruitment in the Office of Admission. She comes to MCLA from Northeastern University in Boston where she was an admissions counselor in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. She earned her master’s degree in college student development and counseling from Northeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass-Dartmouth in North Dartmouth.

Ashley Berridge joined the Advancement Office as MCLA’s conference coordinator. She comes to the college from Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, where she was the individual support manager and development assistant. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dance management from Oklahoma City University.

Matthew Boillat is MCLA’s head athletic trainer in the athletics department. He comes to the college from Merrimack College in North Andover, where he was the athletic trainer. He earned his master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports management from San Jose State University, and his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

Mark Carlson joined the college’s facilities department as a plumber and steamfitter. He comes to MCLA from William Plumbing in Dalton, where he was a journeyman plumber. He has a Massachusetts license in plumbing and gas fitting and is a licensed journeyman plumber.

Michelle Delisle is a clerk in the registrar’s office. She comes to MCLA from the Brien Center in North Adams, where she was part of the direct care staff. She earned an associate’s degree in visual arts from Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

Jennifer Ethier is the college’s director of student accounts in the bursar's
office. She comes to the campus from the City of North Adams, where she was the treasurer, tax collector and chief financial officer. She earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration from Trinity College of Vermont in Burlington, Vt.

Brendon Goodridge is a residence director. He comes to MCLA from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., housing and student life, where he was a housing and residence intern. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Connecticut University.

Maureen Horak is MCLA’s dean of library services in the Freel Library. She comes to the college from Bay Path College in Longmeadow, where she was the director of library and information services. She earned a master’s of library science from the University at Albany, SUNY, and a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies from Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kelly Jourdain is a staff assistant in the Office of Continuing Education. She comes to MCLA from the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative in Great Barrington. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Russell Sage College in Troy, N.Y.

Danielle LaJoie is a residence director at the college. She comes to MCLA from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H., where she was a clerical assistant in residence life, a residence assistant and volunteer coordinator within that institution’s student affairs division. She earned a bachelor’s degree in European history from Southern New Hampshire University.

Thelma Margulies is the coordinator of the Northern Berkshire Adult Basic Education/General Education Diploma/English Speakers of Other Languages/Technology (ABE/GED/ESOL/TECH) Program. She previously worked at MCLA at an instructor in Learning Services, and earned her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Mark Powell is a communications dispatcher in the Department of Public Safety. He comes to MCLA from Oraceutical in Lee, where he was a compounder. He earned an associate’s degree from Graham Junior College in Boston.

Gina Puc ’07 joined the college as an admissions counselor in the Office of Admission. She comes to MCLA from New York and Company in Holyoke, where she was the assistant sales manager. At MCLA, she also was a senior ambassador in admissions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the college.

Edith Pye is MCLA’s coordinator of academic support in the Department of Learning Services. She previously worked as a member of the Individual Enrichment Program faculty in that department. She earned a educational specialist degree, a master’s degree in special education from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga., and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla.

Joshua Tefft ’08 joined MCLA’s Office of Admission as an admissions counselor. He worked in that office as an admissions intern and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the college.

For more information, go to www.mcla.edu.
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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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