MCLA Offers Health Sciences Degree With Concentration in Radiologic Tech

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' is now accepting students for its new health sciences bachelor’s degree with a concentration in radiologic technology for the fall 2020 semester. 

The program has been approved through the MCLA governance process and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and students completing the degree are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiography examination. 

MCLA now offers one of only five accredited programs in the Northeast in a field that demonstrates 100 percent job placement. MCLA will also be able to provide students in health sciences and radiologic technology programs with the most up-to-date equipment to prepare them for careers in radiology through a $421,546 Skills Capital Grant awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education.

In fall 2019, MCLA became the official teach-out partner for the radiologic sciences program of Southern Vermont College following its closure. MCLA partnered with Berkshire Health Systems and its North Adams Berkshire Medical Center Campus to ensure that students in the program were able to complete their degrees without interruption.

"There is high demand for qualified candidates in the health care industry, including in radiology, and the demand is only growing," said MCLA President James F. Birge. "By offering a radiologic technology program at MCLA, students will benefit from being well trained for an in-demand industry, and the local community will benefit by having highly skilled health care providers close to home."

According to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Blueprint, health care is the largest and fastest-growing industry sector in Berkshire County. This new concentration will prepare students for careers in radiology and a variety of specialty modalities, and provide students with the most up-to-date equipment, including a digital direct X-Ray system, an Anatomage table, and upgraded online technology to support distance learning.

Further developing relationships with Berkshire Health Systems, the largest employer in the county, will create an academic environment positioned for excellence, with clinical rotations and internships for students to put their knowledge to work right here in our community.

"Highly trained radiologic technologists are essential to Berkshire Health Systems as we provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art imaging throughout the Berkshires," said David Phelps, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. "We are proud to be collaborating with MCLA on the development and implementation of a radiologic technology major, providing local access to this critical training program at MCLA and our North Adams campus of BMC. 

"Radiologic Technology is a growing field and this program can help to fill the vital need for technologists to serve our patients. Our community will also benefit greatly from the addition of these skilled positions in the Berkshire workforce," he said.

According to the 2017 staffing survey completed by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, mammography and MRI will continue to have consistent growth, as 63 percent of all technologists today range from age 40 to 65. This shortage is not predicted to peak for another 10 to 15 years.

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring  — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.

Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.

But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.

Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.

"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."

Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.

"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.

Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.

Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.

She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours. 

She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls. 

The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10  to 5 and Tuesdays 10  to 3 for the holidays. 

Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.

"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."

Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.