BCC, Springfield College Sign Articulation Agreement For Exercise Science
Jeffrey Moulton found success through BCC and then transferring to Springfield College and hopes others will take advantage of the opportunity as well.
He sat with his advisers multiple times and they urged him to continue his education. He applied and was accepted to Springfield College and there he found the same level of support and "family atmosphere" he had at Berkshire Community College.
Moulton graduated from BCC with a degree in physical fitness and entered Springfield College's applied exercise science program.
Fresh off getting his bachelor's degree from Springfield, he got a job as a personal trainer.
He found his career opportunities seemed endless with the strong foundation from BCC and a bachelor's from a program with a storied and respected history.
On Wednesday, he returned to Berkshire Community College to encourage others to follow the same path, as the two schools now have an articulation agreement easing the transfer of BCC graduates to Springfield College program.
"Step out of your comfort zone, be uncomfortable because when you are comfortable, changes don't happen. You all have potential to do a lot," Moulton said to bleachers full of students who are now in the shoes he once wore.
Moulton's encouragement came moments before BCC President Ellen Kennedy and Springfield College's Dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Tracey Dexter Matthews signed the new articulation agreement.
"I think this is yet another example of what Berkshire Community College is all about. The faculty that are here are committed to student learning and student outcomes, student opportunity, possibility, and employment," Kennedy said.
BCC boasts of 100 percent employment rate program graduates who now have jobs as instructors, personal trainers, and other related professions.
Kennedy said BCC has been building its sports and fitness program for the last five years with a supportive board of trustees. The program not only helps prepare students but also helps the Berkshire County economy by strengthening the workforce in that sector.
"It is a real testimony to the students in our program and the curriculum that has been built," Kennedy said.
Sherry Scheer, BCC's physical education and fitness program director, said the school has crafted an array of American College of Sports Medicine certification programs, which are nationally recognized, and administration has helped with funding a renovation and refurbishment of the Paterson Field House. This agreement takes the program to the next level.
"This is a big win for all of us today. We are all winners. For me, this is a professional dream come true," Scheer said.
Springfield College Program Coordinator for Applied Exercise Science Elizabeth O'Neill was first intrigued by BCC's program through Fitness Center coordinator and Springfield College alum Eric Nystom and Moulton. O'Neill came to the community college to see it firsthand.
"I was very, very impressed with the facilities and what was happening here. Certainly it was a no-brainer to make this happen," O'Neill said.
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For Sherry Scheer, the agreement is a professional dream come true.
"Exercise science is a very broad discipline and it lends itself to a lot of career opportunities, which is one of the beautiful things about our major. You are not pigeonholed into one career path," O'Neill said.
The private college has a long history in the field of sports. Basketball was invented there by graduate student James Naismith; alumni include volleyball inventor William Morgan and professional wrestler John Cena.
Eric Nystrom, coordinator of BCC's fitness center, said there are "giants in the strength and conditioning field" that graduated from the Springfield program including former NFL strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jones.
But perhaps more importantly, Nystrom said both BCC and Springfield College share a mission of leadership and service to others that permeates both schools.
Now the transition between schools is that much easier.
"The intent of this articulation agreement is to facilitate smooth transfers for graduates from Berkshire Community College's physical fitness program to Springfield College's applied exercise science program," said Nicole Reyen, associate director of undergraduate admission and transfer coordinator for Springfield College.
Tags: articulation, BCC, sports & fitness,
