MCLA to Hold Annual Undergraduate Research Conference

10:07AM / Monday, April 21, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host its 23rd annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on April 24. The conference is intended to acknowledge students' academic work.

This year's keynote speaker is MCLA alumnus Bentley S. Munsell '15, a registered nurse and nursing leader who advocates for social justice and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in healthcare.

Munsell, who identifies as a queer, transgender man, has been involved in advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in healthcare since 2016. He co-founded the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) DEIB committee, where he has directed outreach and implemented inclusive healthcare training programs. Munsell is currently the clinical nurse manager for SVMC’s ExpressCare and is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at Colby-Sawyer College.

The URC is described as an event that highlights MCLA's commitment to inquiry, exploration, and mentorship. The campus-wide event showcases undergraduate research and creative activity across various academic disciplines. Students collaborate with faculty sponsors to develop academic projects, which are presented through oral presentations, poster sessions, or performances.

The full-day event is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. with iced coffee on the quad and conclude at 7:00 p.m. with a student performance. A poster session is planned for 11:00 a.m., and the keynote speaker and lunch are scheduled for noon. Further details regarding the event schedule and locations will be announced.

Students are expected to deliver 15-minute presentations, display posters, and present artistic works, with specialized sessions and performances throughout the day. Media representatives are invited to cover the event, attend presentations, and conduct interviews with students and faculty.

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North Adams Housing Authority Hires MassNAHRO to Lead Executive Director Search

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
02:22PM / Saturday, October 31, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA) board of commissioners voted to utilize MassNAHRO's Executive Director Search Services for its own director search.

Before the unanimous vote Thursday to retain MassNAHRO (Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) services, Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah noted that NAHA is already an affiliate of the organization.

"They have been doing executive director recruitment searches for public housing authorities that they represent," she said. "They follow all of the Massachusetts laws, they advertise, they screen, they involve the tenants in their process. I think it is in our best interest to secure their services."

Longtime director Jennifer Hohn resigned earlier in October, following rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The commissioners promoted Director of Operations Lisa Labonte to interim director.

The service will cost $5,500, and MassNAHRO will work directly with the commission to set up a screening committee.

Lillian Zavatsky, city councilor and liaison to NAHA, spoke during the open forum and encouraged the board to avoid a permanent internal promotion. This was in reference to a letter she sent to the commissioners several weeks ago.

"I think that it is really important that the search is open and transparent, and there is a direct role for tenant participation," she said. "Not just after a decision is made, but throughout the process ... I also said I do not support an internal candidate. I do not support the director of operations being promoted to the director. There are older issues here, and she has been part of it. I think a lot needs to change here."

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