BCC Announces Hire of Two Staff Members

07:01AM / Wednesday, August 05, 2026Print Story | Email Story

Justin Maaia and Evan Mayotte

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

Justin Maaia joins Berkshire Community College as Special Programs Coordinator, TRIO. Maaia has been teaching and advising students since 2005, first at Saint Joseph Central High School in Pittsfield and, most recently, at the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. In addition to teaching religious studies and philosophy courses, he has mentored teachers as a visiting scholar and now consultant for the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education. Maaia holds an MA from Boston University and a BA from Suffolk University. A native of Berkshire County, he loves to hike with his wife and daughters and have dinner at home with close friends.

Evan Mayotte joins BCC as a Maintainer I. Mayotte was born in Pittsfield and has lived here his whole life. A self-proclaimed huge sports fan, he especially enjoys football. His favorite team is the Miami Dolphins. Mayotte also enjoys reading, music, games and spending time with friends and family.

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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
04:38AM / Wednesday, August 05, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The American Red Cross declared its second national blood supply crisis in its history on Monday, but community members can breathe easy thanks to Berkshire Health System's blood donor program.

Berkshire Medical System has always had a stationary donor center for autologous donations, which is no longer common practice, and had some O-negative blood on hand that it purchased from the Red Cross prior to having its own blood donor program, said Christine Amuso, blood donor coordinator.

Today, Berkshire Health System's blood donor program collects about 2,300 to 2,400 units of blood annually, all of which stays within Berkshire County to help keep local blood supplies stocked.

In some years, the program has reached record collections of about 3,000 units.

"That [record has] only happened a couple of times since I've been employed with the program. So, we really have done wonders with the program," Amuso said.

Donating blood through Berkshire Health System's program is accessible, with a donor center at the main campus and a mobile blood unit that travels throughout Berkshire County, including select Saturdays.

While appointments for blood donations are strongly encouraged, staff also intentionally leave scheduling gaps to accommodate additional donors who walk in without an appointment.

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