MCLA Named A Best Value For Public Colleges

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has been named to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of 100 best values in public colleges for 2015. The ranking cites four-year schools that combine outstanding academics with affordable cost.

MCLA was one of two four-year public institutions in Massachusetts to make the list. Kiplinger’s selected the top 100 public colleges and universities, private colleges and universities, and private liberal arts colleges from some 1,200 institutions.

“This recognition confirms the quality along with affordability that MCLA offers as the public liberal arts college of the commonwealth," MCLA Admissions Director Gina Puc said. "As students explore their college options for the upcoming admission cycle, this news will advance the word that MCLA is an attractive option for applicants to consider.”

“We salute this year’s top schools,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. “Balancing top-quality education with affordable cost is a challenge for families in today’s economy, which is why Kiplinger’s rankings are such a valuable resource. The schools on the 2015 list offer students the best of both worlds.”

MCLA Presidential Search Stirs Plenty of Interest

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Wednesday, January 21, 2026

President James Birge speaks at his 20th and final semester opening breakfast on Tuesday. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts hopes to have a new president by July 1 this year. 

 

The college's search firm WittKieffer has already received 14 completed applications with another 15 expressing interest, said Trustees President Buffy Lord, and had more than 80 responses in the five days since the posting went up. 

 

"The farthest application so far is from California, so obviously it has great interest," she said. "I think we have a lot to offer, not least of all because of where we are in Massachusetts."

 

The deadline for candidate materials is March 13, Lord said, and "we anticipate that we will work properly to narrow the candidate bill and remain on track to have finals on campus for interviews in early April."

 

The update came at the opening breakfast Tuesday for the spring semester, with President James Birge summing up his tenure as he prepares for retirement at the end of the semester.

 

"This is my 20th and final opening breakfast address," he said. "In my first address, in fall of 2016, I offered my thoughts on expanding the institution's commitment to DEI and I'm grateful that we've embraced that work to the degree that I would say, has grown to be a defining characteristic of MCLA."

 

That first breakfast saw the announcement of a $2.2 million U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institution Grant to support student academic achievement.