NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — With a new admissions office on Main Street, Mildred Elley is ready to connect Northern Berkshire residents with career training and education opportunities.

 

Director of Admissions Jennifer Bushika said 20 percent of Mildred Elley's student population comes from Northern Berkshire and Southern Vermont and that opening up a satellite facility in North Adams will make it easier for current and potential students to connect with the Pittsfield school.  

 

"We really just wanted to make it easier…because when you are thinking about education sometimes getting your foot in the door is the hardest hurdle to get over," she said on Tuesday at the new office location at 33 Main. "Getting down there can be the biggest hurdle, especially if you are nervous about it or a nontraditional student."   

 

Mildred Elley also has a school in Albany, N.Y., and the satellite office can connect students with admissions representatives who can answer questions about programming and financial aid for either location.

 

"We really just want to make ourselves available for students in this area who might be looking at Mildred Elley as an option for career training," Vice President and Enrollment Manager Reginald Greene said. "If we can have someone available to have that conversation with them it makes is a little bit easier and it removes that obstacle of driving to Pittsfield." 

 

Currently, Mildred Elley offers eight certificate programs: accounting, cosmetology, massage therapy, business technology, accounting, practical nursing, medical assisting and medical office assisting.

 

"We are just thrilled to be able to serve this community and we have a very strong faculty with excellent credentials," President John McGrath said. "Our goal is to provide excellence in education and provide our students with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience needed to compete effectively in a very competitive marketplace."    

 

He added that the new satellite office will allow Mildred Elley to better connect with the community and meet its workforce needs.  

 

"I like to set up sites like this that work with the community, political leaders, religious community and the business community and try to fill the educational demands that will help advance the community," he said.  

 

McGrath said Mildred Elley has been in the Berkshires for 26 years and if there is a need in the future for a greater presence in North County they would consider expanding — subject to regulatory approval.

 

The office held its open house on Tuesday and cut a ribbon to celebrate its opening. The office is open Monday through Friday 9 to 5.