PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national program that partners with more than 300 community colleges, including Berkshire Community College, aims to prepare students for college and make higher education more accessible.

 

"In a time of hyper-competitive higher education, ATD works to break down barriers within and between colleges with the belief that access to higher education is a cultural good that will transform the country," said Adam Klepetar, BCC Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. 

 

As a rural college located near many major metropolitan areas, BCC is  positioned to support economic advancement, Klepetar explained. 

 

"BCC can prepare our community for life and work in a rapidly evolving economy while creating an innovative and well-educated workforce," he said. "This, in turn, will attract business and industry to invest in our community while positively transforming the lives of our students and community partners." 

 

Conceived in 2004, Achieving the Dream now leads the non-governmental reform movement for student success in higher education. 

 

In June 2021, philanthropist Mackenzie Scott donated $20 million to the organization, the largest gift in its history. 

 

"We're proud to be a part of something so critical to the success of community college students," said BCC President Ellen Kennedy. "Accessible education has always been a core value at BCC, but participating in this program allows us to expand our efforts in a data-driven way that will effect meaningful results." 

 

 ATD accepts grant applications from community colleges; recently, BCC won a grant to become part of an ATD cohort called Building Resiliency in Rural Communities for the Future of Work. 

 

 "Berkshire Community College was a successful candidate due to its committed leadership, its equity goals aligned with those of the grant and ATD, and its preparation of a compelling argument for inclusion," said Dr. Mary E. Ostrye, a consultant to ATD. Lauren Goodman, BCC Dean of Teaching & Learning Innovation. 

 

 "I think ATD recognized our commitment to equity, student success, and institutional change," Goodman said. 

 

 She noted BCC's implementation of new program delivery models, such as the Early Childhood Education cohort; the creation of the Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation to support faculty with teaching and technology; and the construction of a One Stop center to help create a seamless experience for students.  

 

 "I first discovered ATD around 2009, when I was working on my doctorate in Leadership for Higher Education. What interested me the most was the focus ATD put on helping community college students succeed — particularly looking at what community colleges can do to fill in the gaps for those traditionally underserved," said Dr. Ellen Cooper Shanahan, Professor of Music and Department Chair, Fine & Performing Arts at BCC. "ATD helps us to work effectively with the community to help our students complete degrees and certificates, develop leadership skills, get a job, or transfer to a four-year college. I'm thrilled BCC can benefit from this program." 

 

 BCC is still in the data-gathering, exploratory phase of the program.