BCC Now Offers Associate Degree in Mechatronics

08:08AM / Monday, November 28, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Commission of Higher Education to offer an associate of science degree in mechatronics, a field that combines industrial machinery operation and maintenance skills with 21st-century automation electronics and robotics.

The new degree will be available in fall 2023.

Students enrolled in BCC's newly created Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) certificate program may "stack" credits towards a degree. Essentially, students can complete the AMT certificate in one year, followed by a second year in mechatronics, and graduate with an associate degree.

"This is an exciting development, because a two-year mechatronics program can now be finished at BCC without the need to transfer to another institution," said Assistant Professor of Engineering José R. Colmenares. "It will give our graduates marketable skills in high demand by a diverse range of industries, both locally and nationally. The mechatronics program fills a niche in the workforce, because as baby boomers retire, there are not enough skilled technologists to replace them."

"At BCC, we are committed to guiding our graduates to a rewarding, solid career without incurring significant debt and allowing them to finish their studies locally," Colmenares added.

The AMT segment, which is supported by the Commonwealth's Workforce Skills Capital Grant Program, includes classes such as Computer Aided Drafting/Design and Engineering Computer Applications. Second-year classes include Elements of Machines and Hydraulics and Pneumatics, along with a capstone project completed in partnership with the Berkshire Innovation Center. Students gain hands-on experience in BCC's Science Commons, which includes a state-of-the-art pneumatics lab, electronics lab and technology space.

"A degree in mechatronics is perfect for people who like making things or playing with gadgets, electronics and interesting equipment, and are not necessarily attracted to the heavy calculus focus of traditional engineering programs," Colmenares said, noting that the mechatronics program is an ideal academic path for those seeking a stable career in industries such as automation and manufacturing.

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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:57AM / Friday, October 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments.

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work.

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks.

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed.

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.