BCC Announces New, Returning Staff

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of three new staff members and two staff members returning to BCC after a hiatus necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 

New to BCC  

Gabriella Martinez has joined BCC as a Clerk IV for the SUCCESS Program (Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services). A native to Berkshire County, Martinez attended American International College (AIC), where she earned her B.A. in sociology and worked in the Student Affairs Office. In her free time, Martinez enjoys hiking with her dog or doing yoga.  
 
Sean Reagan has joined the BCC Academic Advising & Transfer team as an Academic Counselor. He arrives from Holyoke Community College, where he had been teaching English and journalism for ten years. Reagan is a graduate of Saint Michael's College and Western New England University School of Law, and he also holds an M.F.A. from Goddard College. He lives in Cummington with his wife, three children, two horses and a flock of geriatric chickens. When not teaching and advising, he spends his time gardening and hiking. 
 
Ross Ryan has joined BCC as a Database Analyst. He attended New York University and Columbia College in Chicago. Ryan brings experience he gained while working at Crane & Company in Pittsfield, starting as a designer and working his way up to the positions of Senior Systems Analyst and Database Administrator. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and painting. 
 
 
Returning to BCC  
 
Eric Nystrom has returned to BCC as an Academic Success Coach through the SUCCESS grant. Nystrom has been with BCC in a variety of roles since 2005, when he started as the coordinator for the Fitness Center. He has been an adjunct faculty member and served as Interim Director of Recreation Services before assisting as Special Projects Coordinator at Paterson Field House. Nystrom graduated from Nichols College with a bachelor's degree in psychology and received his master's degree in counseling psychology. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. 
 
Patricia Wright has returned to BCC as a Maintainer I for Facilities in the Administration and Finance Division. Previously, she worked at BCC as a Maintainer II evening shift supervisor. Wright, who goes by "PJ" to family and friends, grew up in Sheffield, MA and currently lives in Pittsfield with her husband Lee. Her interests include reading, gardening and spending time with her dog Indy. 

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Score! Pittsfield's 'Mini-Pitch' is Ready for Goals

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city now has a "mini-pitch" soccer field at Crane Park, placed over the longtime rink that had seen better days. 

"I think it's a real improvement," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said, pointing to social media comments believing the city took away inline skating. 

"Well, we didn't do that. The surface can accept rollerblades.  In fact, as soon as this was constructed and we sort of said it's open, the first one to show up was a gentleman with rollerblades and a hockey stick. He skated around and loved it." 

The Parks Commission saw pictures of the completed field on Tuesday. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer worked with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The project was funded entirely by grants.  In June, the City Council accepted the gift of a "mini-pitch" facility, valued at over $100,000, and $10,000 from the Mill Town Foundation to ready the site.  

Boards framing the former rink were removed, and this system was installed in a couple of days about a week and a half ago.  The mini-pitch's click-together sports tile floor is bordered by a galvanized steel system with two goals, benches, and storage containers. 

"Folks can really play lacrosse in there; they can play in-line hockey in there, and of course soccer is ready to go as well," McGrath said. 

"We're trying to continue with this multi-sport approach here at this park, but with a much upgraded piece of infrastructure going behind it." 

The mini pitch system came with a light tower and two LED lamps, but Crane Park does not have power, and it won't be illuminated. 

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