PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College announced that it has hired a number of new faculty and staff to the college.

 

Nicole Cerda has been hired as an Assistant Professor of Practical Nursing. She previously worked as the Nurse Educator at Canyon Ranch, where she is still employed part-time. Cerda earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from the University of Connecticut.

 

Kelley Alibozek has joined the nursing division this fall as an assistant professor. Alibozek is a BCC nursing class of 2011 alum. She graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Elms College and earned her Master of Science in nursing degree in 2019 from Southern New Hampshire University. Alibozek has most recently worked as a clinical educator for BMC and brings NIH Stroke training, Full Critical Care training, BSL instructor and ACLS instructor training to BCC. 

 

Christine Kiernan has joined the nursing division this fall as an assistant professor. Kiernan graduated from Maria College with her Associates degree in Nursing in 2007 and earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Elms College in 2016. Kiernan has spent her nursing career in acute care at BMC and has specialized training in neurology, stoke care, arrhythmias, pulmonary care and is an instructor for both BLS and ACLS. She was most recently a nurse educator at BMC for acute care nursing staff.

 

Jennifer Charbonneau has joined the nursing division this fall as an assistant professor. Charbonneau is a BCC alum from the nursing class of 2006 and earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree at UMass Amherst. She has worked in pediatrics, Hospice, and in acute care. She worked as an adjunct clinical instructor last year and is teaching in both the Practical Nurse and Associate Degree Nurse programs this year.

 

James Storey has joined the college as the Faculty and Curriculum Coordinator; Hospitality. Previously, he has worked for Western Carolina University, University of South Carolina, James Madison University, and at Kansas State University. He earned his bachelor's degree from Bridgewater State University, his master's degree from West Virginia University, and his PhD from Iowa State University. Storey lives in Williamstown and has spent 25 years in the hospitality industry before starting a career in higher education.

 

Dhanushka Peru has been hired to the college as an Assistant Professor of Economics and General Business. Previously, he worked for five years at Central Bank of Sri Lanka as an Assistant Director where he took part in developing national policies on foreign investment and trade. Peru also has teaching experience at the University of Houston. He has his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Houston, his Master of Financial Economics degree at the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka and his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, also in Sri Lanka.

 

Ann Stevens was hired to the college as the Employee Services Coordinator in Human Resources. Previously, Stevens worked at Safariland LLC as the Category Coordinator/SHE Administrator. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from MCLA.