NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jamie Morrison, the head men's basketball coach at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, has begun work as the director of Native Tribal Scholars, a program of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, the Northern American Center of Boston and University of Massachusetts at Boston.
While the new position is full time, Morrison will continue as the men's head basketball coach for MCLA, working for the college on a part-time basis.
According to Morrison, the most intensive part of the Native Tribal Scholars Program takes place during the summer semester. A non-residential, year-round service component consists of workshops, tutoring and mentoring. The students' academic progress is tracked throughout the school year so they can get help if and where they need it.
"The year-round program gives me flexibility to handle some of my administrative work from anywhere," Morrison said. “I will have a presence with the program on a weekly basis, but the work allows the time I need to coach the MCLA men's basketball team.
Charlotte Degen, dean of student affairs, said, "We are pleased that Jamie will be able to remain as our head basketball coach part time this year while taking on this exciting, new opportunity. Jamie champions cultural diversity at MCLA and is a strong supporter and advocate of and for our students."
Run with a grant through the Office of Indian Education in Washington, D.C., Morrison said the Native Tribal Scholars Program is similar to Upward Board and UMass-Boston's Urban Scholars Program. It takes high school-aged youth who are Native American and prepares them for college.
The Native Tribal Scholars Program consists of a summer academy, hosted at Regis College. During the school year, it serves Native American youth from Mashpee, and others from the Nipmuc Nation near Webster, as well as additional Native American students who are in the Boston Public School System.
"We're charged with getting our cohort of youth to all graduate from high school, to enroll in college and to graduate from college," Morrison said.
Prior to coming to MCLA, Morrison worked at the Urban Indian Center in Boston, and for five years he was employed at an all-Native American institution, Haskell University in Lawrence, Kans.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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