BCC Announces New Staff Members, Promotions

Print Story | Email Story
Budzn and Quadrozzi

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of two new staff members and two promotions. 

New staff

Mary Budzn joins BCC as Alumni Relations and Philanthropy Manager. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, she earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre arts from Boston University. A Lenox resident, she has lived in the Berkshires since 2018, when she moved to the area to work for Shakespeare & Company’s training department, which led to her career in development. Most recently, she worked for Bard College at Simon’s Rock in various roles, including Advancement Services Associate, Annual Giving Manager, student advisor and adjunct teacher. At BCC, she will focus on supporting the Alumni Association and creating opportunities for meaningful alumni engagement. From an early age, Budzn has been passionate about singing and acting, and she values being a part of the rich and caring community of artists in the Berkshires. Her hobbies include Irish studies, poetry, traditional Chinese medicine and antiquing. 

Darcy Quadrozzi joins BCC as Administrative Assistant II for Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences. With 25 years of experience, she arrives from Guardian, a life insurance company. There, she held several different roles, including Senior Learning Specialist and New Business Supervisor. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband Dave and two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies, going to the theater and dancing. Darcy also loves going on Maine vacations with her husband, watching the Boston Celtics with her son Liam and going to listen to her son Owen’s band play. 
 

Promotions 

Alicia Ginsberg is now Director of EEC Career Pathways Grant/Initiatives. She had been the Senior Special Program Coordinator - Early Childhood Career Pathway Grant Coordinator. She joined BCC in 2019. 

Jonathan Herforth is now a Maintainer II. He had been a Maintainer I since joining BCC in May 2023. 


Tags: BCC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

With Tears, Pittsfield Officials Vote to Close Morningside

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee on Wednesday made an emotional vote to close Morningside Community School at the end of the academic year. 

Officials identified the school's lack of classroom walls as the most significant obstacle, creating a difficult, noisy learning environment that is reflected in its accountability score.

Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said the purpose of considering the closure is centered on the district's obligation to ensure every student has access to a learning environment that best supports academic growth and achievement, school climate, equitable access to resources, and long-term success. 

"While fiscal implications are included, the potential closure of the school is fundamentally driven by the student performance, their learning conditions, the building inadequacy, and equitable student access, rather than the district's budget," she said. 

"… The goal is not to save money. The goal is to reinvest that money to make change, specifically for our Morningside students, and then for the whole school building, as a whole." 

Over the last month or so, the district has considered whether to retire the open concept, community school at the end of the school year. 

Morningside, built in the 1970s, currently serves 374 students in grades prekindergarten through 5, including a student population with 88.2 percent high-needs, 80.5 percent low-income, and 24.3 percent English learners.  Its students will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools.

School Committee member and former Morningside student Sarah Muil, through tears, made the motion to approve the closure at the end of this school year. The committee took a five-minute recess after the vote. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories