BCC Recognized by Achieving the Dream as a 2025 Leader College

07:50AM / Wednesday, February 26, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility in their communities.

"Achieving the Dream has been coaching faculty and staff at the College for years on how to prioritize student success," BCC President Ellen Kennedy said. "To be named as a Leader College and to join the other incredible institutions across the country who are dedicated to improving the lives of our community college students through access and student support is truly humbling. We are thrilled to accept this designation."

Leader Colleges play a role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. They are recognized for the quality of their work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies, according to a press release.

BCC is part of the ATD Network, made up of more than 300 colleges committed to supporting student success and promoting economic vitality in their communities. BCC has been a member of the ATD Network since 2020.

"We are proud to recognize our 2025 Leader Colleges and Leader Colleges of Distinction for their extraordinary commitment to student success," said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. "These colleges exemplify excellence within the ATD Network, achieving measurable gains in student outcomes and fostering impactful change within their institutions and communities. Their dedication to using data-informed approaches to create meaningful opportunities for students and their communities serves as a powerful example for all institutions of higher education and especially for those in the ATD Network."

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Lt. Gov. Driscoll, State Officials Break Ground on Pittsfield Rail Improvements

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:00PM / Thursday, October 29, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— State officials ceremoniously broke ground on rail infrastructure improvements as the train passed on Thursday.

They also celebrated the now permanent Berkshire Flyer and strides towards a passenger train connecting western, central, and eastern Massachusetts.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said everyone benefits when there are more ways to get around, particularly on rail.

"And because work like this isn't just about train service. We know it's going to help support our local businesses and bring families and loved ones together for the holidays and support our tourism industry. Certainly, strengthening the connections between Massachusetts and Berkshire County, from Berkshire all the way to the Cape," she said at the CSX Pittsfield Yard on East Street.

"This is the before. I can't wait to see the after. And with continued investments and partnership, we're going to make that happen."

Massachusetts Department of Transportation Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger explained that the groundbreaking marks an important milestone for improving existing services, but it's also a "down payment on the future West East Rail."

Several years ago, the state worked with CSX to establish a framework for piloting the Berkshire Flyer service seasonally on weekends between Pittsfield, Albany, and New York City. As part of that negotiation, a long-term agreement would depend on MassDOT contributing to infrastructure improvements to build corridor capacity and reduce potential for rail congestion.

After assessing the service’s performance and partnering with CSX to identify needed infrastructure investments to enable a permanent service, two projects were identified:

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