BCC Hires Dean of Nursing, Health & Wellness

10:35AM / Thursday, June 11, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the hire of Dr. Mohammad Alkawaldeh as Dean of Nursing, Health & Wellness Division.

He begins his new position on Monday, August 17.

"Mohammad?has a?student-centered approach to teaching, which is a critical part of our mission at BCC. He brings a wealth of experience in health and wellness, and I'm confident he'll be a strong, passionate leader," said current Dean of Nursing, Health and Wellness Lori Moon, who is retiring at the end of the summer.

Alkawaldeh holds a PhD in Nursing, Primary Care Nursing, and Nursing Informatics/Geriatric Nursing from UMass Amherst, an M.S.N. from Stevens-Henager College in Salt Lake City, and a B.S.N in Nursing from Philadelphia University in Amman, Jordan. He also held a postdoctoral Fellowship?in?the School of Nursing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Most recently, Alkawaldeh was Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing at Quatar University in?Doha and?was previously the Director of Clinical Research at UMass Medical School in the OBGYN department. He was also Director of Clinical Research at Boston Children's Hospital in their spina bifida center and has held a range of other research and teaching positions.?

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Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

By Brittany Polito03:00PM / Monday, September 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release.

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs.

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community.

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program. Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment.

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