MCLA Professor Named Outstanding Educator of the Year by Massachusetts Society of CPAs

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams resident and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts assistant professor Tara Barboza has been selected as the 2020 Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the professional association of certified public accountants, representing over 11,000 members. 

Each year, the MSCPA recognizes a full-time accounting educator at a college or university who has demonstrated excellence in a classroom teaching, motivating students and inspiring educational innovation.

Barboza was selected for her excellence in teaching and motivating students, as well as her contribution to the accounting profession, active participation in the society and her efforts in serving as a liaison between the classroom and the business world.

An assistant professor of accounting, business administration and economics, Barboza joined MCLA in 2016 and serves as the coordinator of entrepreneurial programs and on the Academic Policies and Curriculum Committee. She formed an IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2019, creating numerous on-campus internship opportunities for students and providing valuable service-learning experiences. In response to the closure of several area VITA programs because of the coronavirus, Barboza brought the program online, and her students have continued to serve their communities and increase early access to the economic stimulus payments virtually. 

A valued advisor working with students who are studying public accounting, Barboza is actively involved in the college and local community, working to strengthen ties between MCLA, the Berkshire community and the accounting profession. She co-created the Principals of Accounting Certificate for nontraditional students at MCLA and has created courses in financial literacy and entrepreneurial accounting. 

Additionally, she is the faculty advisor for the MCLA Accounting Club and works with area accounting firms to create internship opportunities for students. Furthermore, Barboza serves as corporator of the MCLA Foundation and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. She is also an active member of the MSCPA's Academic and Career Development Committee.

"The MSCPA is thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this remarkable woman for her outstanding contributions to her students, her community and the accounting profession," said Amy Pitter, president and CEO of the MSCPA.

Barboza has three children with her husband, Michael Hernandez. She is looking forward to her first grandchild this summer.

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.