PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) begins its fall semester Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
A variety of learning options are offered, including in-person, online and hybrid. Prospective students may register any time online at www.berkshirecc.edu/apply or by walking in without an appointment to the One Stop Center. There, applications are processed for instant acceptance to the College. While many students qualify for free tuition, financial aid assistance is also available.
Students may choose to take a full slate of classes in anticipation of earning an associate degree; a short series of classes to earn a certificate or training; or a single class to jumpstart their academic journey.
After completing an application and receiving acceptance into BCC, students take an Accuplacer exam or submit official high school transcripts to be evaluated for course placement. Students who previously attended another college or university should submit official transcripts to BCC, which may provide exemption from testing. BCC staff is on hand, ready to assist with all aspects of the application process and to explain how to apply for financial aid, if needed.
A new student orientation, open to all registered students, will be held Thursday, Sept. 3 from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/orientation.
To learn more about applying to BCC, including viewing an admission checklist, browsing a course catalogue, filing a financial aid form or scheduling a tour, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/fall. To speak with an advisor, call (413) 499-4660 or email onestop@berkshirecc.edu.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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PCTV Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Community
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Many fans, workers, past workers, and city officials gathered at the Berkshire Hills Country Club Friday night to celebrate Pittsfield Community Television turning 40.
The room was alive with people eating, laughing, taking photos in a photo booth and watching snippets from PCTV's past archived programs throughout the decades curated by Operations Manager Dave Cachet.
President of the Board of Directors Sue Doucette acknowledged everyone in attendance and thanked the volunteers who help or have helped bring PCTV to the screen.
She reflected on how much technology has changed since 1986 and on PCTV's role in covering parades, debates and election-night precinct results
"You heard it and saw it yourself, and you can interpret it your way. Not everybody has this, but we in Berkshire County do, and we need to be forever grateful to the people that have come before us and made this possible. So, for me personally, I love the staff at PCTV and the board members. I never begrudge going to a meeting. I like these people," she said.
Executive Director Shawn Serre said he feels as though this is their "Eras Tour," referencing Taylor Swift's record-breaking concert series. He reminisced about PCTV's eras.
"The first of our eras is the founders' era, that time when this was just an idea tossed around among colleagues with various skills and with an interest in creating a local source of television, but with no funding, no equipment, no facility, no staff, no volunteers other than themselves," he said.
He said the next era starts with PCTV's move to Fourth Street. At this point, they named their first executive director Garrett McCarey and built their first facility at 163 Fourth Street. They made community connections, programs, and learned the ropes, he said, adding that they "pushed the boundaries of what public access could accomplish".
He said the next era is their Federico era, led by former Executive Director Bernard Avalle and changing technology.
"Under his leadership, we moved our entire facility from the old building to a custom-built studio and offices. We expanded from one cable channel to three. We went from analog to digital to high definition," Cachet said. " We went from videotapes to DVDs to video servers and files. We had as many as seven staff members and grew the program. We designed and purchased a mobile production truck. We covered so many meetings, so many meetings. Viewers would look to us with trust on election nights, onn the Fourth of July, at sports events, and at special events. We have become a part of the fabric of life in Pittsfield."
And finally, the multi-platform era.
"Otherwise known as everything, everywhere, all at once. That's what it feels like. It's when we expanded our reach by saving WTBR FM from the wrecking ball and operating it. When we greatly expanded our PCTV sports program of live broadcasts from just about anywhere, we couldn't have imagined being able to do that early on," he said. "It's when, in the depths of the pandemic, we not only continued our regular broadcast and never stopped, but we also launched PCTV Select to provide high-quality video streams, live streams, and video on demand worldwide. When we started Park Square Productions to provide high-quality production services to clients and contribute to our mission."
He said their next era is still being shaped and will need the community to help.
"The next era, well, that one has to be shaped by you, by all of us actually, because after 40 years, we realize the only constant is change, and we know that while cable TV is at the moment still our sugar daddy, it won't be around forever," Cachet said. "But we know how important the kinds of services that we provide are, and the demand to not disappear."
Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier said local journalism is important and will save democracy. She presented PCTV a citation from the state House of Representatives signed by her and the Speaker of the House.
The room was alive with people eating, laughing, taking photos in a photo booth and watching snippets from PCTV's past archived programs throughout the decades curated by Operations Manager Dave Cachet. click for more
On Thursday, board members, supporters, and beneficiaries gathered at the Country Club of Pittsfield to mark the nonprofit's yearly fundraising campaign.
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The committee drafting a proposed local historic district around Park Square wants to generate interest and participation in the process.
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