You Can Enroll in BCC – for FREE!

Erin Laundry and James Burden

It's no secret that the rising cost of college tuition, together with unprecedented increases in the cost of living, creates a barrier for many people seeking to better themselves through higher education. It's also no secret that this barrier can be even harder to overcome for historically marginalized people. At Berkshire Community College (BCC), we strive every day to break barriers and make quality education accessible to all.

Now, college is even more accessible, because the majority of BCC students qualify for free tuition. Two programs launched by the Commonwealth — MassReconnect and MassEducate — make getting an associate degree or certificate at BCC easier than ever. 

MassReconnect, designed for Massachusetts residents 25 years of age or older who have not previously received an associate or bachelor's degree, can provide free tuition and fees to eligible students. Similarly, MassEducate can provide free tuition and fees for students of any age who have not earned a bachelor's degree, but it is also available for those who have previously earned an associate degree.

The programs are quickly gaining in popularity, and the student population at BCC is growing as a result. 

Since the launch of free community college, BCC's enrollment has surged—up 34 percent from fall 2022 to fall 2024, and 45% from spring 2023 to spring 2025. For many students who dreamed of going to college but never thought they'd be able to afford it, their dreams are becoming reality. 

Pittsfield native Erin Laundry, a business major at BCC, is one of those students.

"Free community college is a wonderful opportunity to return to college and finish my degree without placing a financial burden on my family. My son will be graduating high school next year and heading off to college himself. Without free access to community college, I would have had to put my education on hold to prioritize his education," says Laundry, who plans finish her associate degree at BCC and transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. 

"I am excited to take what I learn in my classes and apply it to my small business," Laundry says. She is the owner of Bottomless Bricks, a LEGO-themed retail store and creative space in Pittsfield specializing in parties, STEM workshops and community events.

James Burden, who lives in Berkshire County with his wife Meghan, is currently enrolled in the Business Administration Program at BCC. A veteran of the United States Coast Guard, he served after finishing high school, happy to work and learn on the job — but something was missing. 

"I have traveled to many interesting places and met many amazing people. While I have learned a lot from my work experience, I never made time to finish getting a degree, and I felt as though I was missing that," Burden says. 

Several months ago, he started thinking about continuing his education. The timing was right, because he also became aware of the MassReconnect program.

"It seemed like the perfect time to rekindle my academic journey and keep learning, reinforcing and sharpening my business education," says Burden, who is passionate about the opportunity to go to college. 

"I believe that one of the most important things we can do in life is to be curious and to continue learning, to better ourselves, and to be able to help others," he says. "The ongoing work at Berkshire Community College is helping me to bring more value to the fabric of my life. I am excited to be part of this community, and I am inspired by the people, both faculty and students, who bring amazing energy every day."

One area of study seeing a surge with the advent of free tuition is BCC's nursing program. Now that so many nursing students can attend the College for free, BCC is ready to accept more students every year and anticipates a larger, more diverse student nursing population. Nursing students can choose from a wide variety of degrees and career paths, with jobs in high demand in Berkshire County and beyond. Those interested in a shorter path to the healthcare industry can earn a certificate in health information management or medical coding. 

Meanwhile, BCC offers scholarships and grants for students interested in short-term job training opportunities through its Workforce and Community Education department. These courses fill needs in the local workforce and, in turn, significantly boosting the economy of the Berkshires. With a new focus on teaching trades, BCC offers training in HVAC, an Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) certificate and a Class B commercial driver's license (CDL) training course. And, because the local workforce is always changing, BCC recently added paraprofessional training, beginner computer training and a four-part social work series called Foundations of Substance Use. Most students enrolled in these courses are eligible for financial assistance, with some receiving full coverage. 

Those are just a few examples of the wide variety of academic programs at BCC — all of which can be explored for free. BCC is eager and ready to help people of all backgrounds and experiences improve their work readiness, sharpen their job skills, find a new career, earn a promotion, connect with employers or enroll in an associate degree or certificate program.

"Free college opens doors that might have never been opened before. It makes the college experience possible for almost everyone. Whether you're thinking about enrolling in college full-time or taking just one evening class, whether you're looking to reenter the workforce or change careers and learn a new trade, now is the time to do it," says BCC President Ellen Kennedy. "Come see us, and we'll talk to you one-on-one about your interests and goals. We encourage you to explore all that BCC has to offer."

To explore the possibilities, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/academics, where you can browse programs of study or view a detailed course catalog. Or, attend a free information session and learn how easy it is to get started. Ready to begin? Applying to BCC is free and easy. Visit www.berkshirecc.edu/apply, or drop in the One Stop Enrollment Center, located on BCC's main campus at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. Our staff and faculty are ready to help you on your journey. Applications are accepted year-round, so don't wait — apply today!

Toys for Tots Bringing Presents to Thousands of Kids This Year

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:21PM / Friday, December 05, 2025

Volunteers organize toys by age and gender in the House of Corrections storage facility. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Plenty of toys are on their way to children this holiday season thanks to Toys for Tots.

Christopher Keegan has coordinated the local toy drive for the Berkshire Chapter of the Marine Corps Reserve since 2015 and said he has seen the need rise every year, last year helping more than 6,000 kids.

"This is 11 years I've been doing it, and the need has gone up every year. It's gone up every year, and I anticipate it going up even more this year," Keegan said.

On Thursday, the Berkshire County House of Corrections storage facility was overflowing with toys making it the county's very own Santa's workshop. 

Keegan said Berkshire County always shows up with toys or donations. 

"This county is outstanding when it comes to charity. They rally around stuff. They're very giving, they're very generous, and they've been tremendous in this effort, the toys for pride effort, since I've been doing it, our goal is to honor every request, and we've always reached that goal," he said.

Keegan's team is about 20 to 25 volunteers who sort out toys based on age and gender. This week, the crew started collecting from the 230 or so boxes set out around the county on Oct. 1.

"The two age groups that are probably more difficult — there's a newborn to 2s, boys and girls, and 11 to 14, boys and girls. Those are the two challenging ages where we need to focus our attention on a little bit more," he said.

Toys For Tots has about 30 participating schools and agencies that sign up families and individuals who need help putting gifts under the tree. Keegan takes requests right up until the last minute on Christmas.

"We can go out shopping for Christmas. I had sent my daughter out Christmas Eve morning. Hey, we need X amount of toys and stuff, but the requests are still rolling in from individuals, and I don't say no, we'll make it work however we can," he said.

Community members help to raise money or bring in unopened and unused toys. Capeless Elementary student Thomas St. John recently raised $1,000 selling hot chocolate and used the money to buy toys for the drive.

"It's amazing how much it's grown and how broad it is, how many people who were involved," Keegan said.

On Saturday, Live 95.9 personalities Bryan Slater and Marjo Catalano of "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" will host a Toys for Tots challenge at The Hot Dog Ranch and Proprietor's Lodge. Keegan said they have been very supportive of the drive and that they were able to collect more than 3,000 toys for the drive last year.

Volunteer Debbie Melle has been volunteering with Toys for Tots in the county for about five years and said people really showed up to give this year.

"I absolutely love it. It's what we always say. It's organized chaos, but it's rewarding. And what I actually this year, I'm so surprised, because the amount that the community has given us, and you can see that when you see these pictures, that you've taken, this is probably the most toys we've ever gotten," she said. "So I don't know if people just feel like this is a time to give and they're just going above and beyond, but I'm blown away. This year we can barely walk down the aisles for how much, how many toys are here. It's wonderful."