Incoming BCC President Joins College July 1

02:26PM / Tuesday, June 30, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced the arrival of Dr. Hara D. Charlier as president of BCC on July 1, 2026.

Charlier, who served as president of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota since 2016, brings deep leadership experience rooted in expanding higher education access and opportunity in rural communities.

"As I make the transition from rural Minnesota to Berkshire Community College and the amazing Berkshires community, I could not be more excited to begin this next chapter," Charlier said. "As soon as I learned about the mission of BCC, which focuses on access for all, I knew this was the place for me. I look forward to getting to know the faculty, the staff, and most importantly, the students who make BCC the special place it is."

Under her leadership, Central Lakes College transformed the student experience to advance equitable success, growing enrollment, modernizing facilities and the launch of more than 20 new academic programs. Her philosophy centers on voice, relationships, belonging, and student success. She holds a BS in Animal Science from Cornell University, an MS in Microbiology from Miami University, and a PhD in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.

Current President Ellen Kennedy is assuming a one-year position of interim president of Cape Cod Community College on July 1, delaying her plan to retire.

In honor of President Kennedy's 14 years of extraordinary leadership, the College held a community-wide celebration in early June. The celebration welcomed students, alumni, employees, retirees, partners, donors and community members, who came together to celebrate BCC, reflect on shared memories and recognize President Kennedy's leadership and lasting impact.

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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
05:58PM / Monday, October 12, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.

On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.

"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.

Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.

As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.

Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.

"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.

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