BCC Hires New Faculty, Staff, Reorganizes Staff Positions
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College has hired new faculty and staff on campus.
Dr. Emily Williams has been hired as special assistant to the Human Resources director. Williams holds a master of arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Ph.D. from Clark Atlanta University. She received a certificate in management and leadership in education from Harvard University. Williams has worked in academia since 1990 in various capacities as provost/vice president of academic affairs, academic dean, department chair, and tenured professor. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in the early 2000s to the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus, Kingston). Williams has published six books with two additional works currently under contract.
Dr. Jose Colmenares has been hired as an associate professor of engineering at the college. Previously, Colmenares taught at Farmingdale State College and worked in the engineering industry for nine years on research and development of engineered industrial coatings. He has earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering studies at Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, and his Ph.D. in materials sciences from SUNY Stony Brook.
Nolan Fernandez has been hired as the special programs coordinator for the STEM Starter Academy. Fernandez is an alum of the college, having received his degree in biology before earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from UMass Amherst. Fernandez previously worked and ran the mosquito control program for the town of Nantucket.
Colleen Hunkler has been hired as the Special Programs coordinator: data analyst nursing at the college. Hunkler has worked with the college in the past as a clinical adjunct instructor. Hunkler has many years of nursing experience in long term care and acute care as well as Informatics and IT experience. She received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from UMass Amherst and her associate's degree in nursing from BCC.
Kara Potter has been hired as an assistant professor of nursing and has previously worked as a clinical adjunct instructor with the college's ADN program. Potter has experience in both long term care and acute care. She also currently works at Berkshire Medical Center and has been teaching in the evening Certified Nursing Assistant program. Potter earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Drexel University and her associate's degree in nursing from Southern Vermont College.
Robin Cookis, another BCC alum of the ADN program, has been hired as an assistant professor of nursing. Cookis has worked in many different roles at BMC for years but most currently on the stroke unit. She also teaches in the evening CNA program. Cookis received her bachelor of science degree from the Elms College.
Maryrose Williams has also been hired as an assistant professor of nursing and has previously worked as a clinical adjunct instructor with the college's ADN program. Williams has 12 years of experience in acute care and is currently finishing her master's degree in Nursing at Southern New Hampshire University, where she also earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree. She graduated with her associate's degree in nursing from BCC.
Tattiya Maruco has been hired as the coordinator of Instructional Technology and Design at the college. She is also an adjunct faculty instructor in communications and psychology at the college. In her new role, Maruco will be working with faculty on online and hybrid course design and delivery, integrating technology into face-to-face classes and providing support for evidence-based learning. Maruco has a bachelor of arts degree from San Francisco State University and her master of arts degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Christina Duncan has joined the Enrollment Services team as an admissions counselor at the college. Duncan graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in literature from Bard College where she was also a peer leader. At Bard, Duncan was a Citizen Science teaching fellow where she supported first-year students and collaborated with faculty.
Heather Seely has joined the college as the administrative assistant II to the dean of Business & Outreach. Previously, Seely worked for The Darrow School in New Lebanon, N.Y., and brings a diverse background in executive support, as well as advancement and alumni relations, and business development from positions at Hillcrest Educational Centers, Hancock Shaker Village, and Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. She received her master of science degree from Springfield College.
Constance West, who was previously the coordinator of the STEM Starter Academy at the college, is now the senior Special Programs coordinator of the STEM Starter Academy.
Rachel Deschamps, who was previously working in Student Financial Services, has taken a new position at the South County Center in Great Barrington as an administrative assistant.
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