Berkshire Community College announces five new hires

Berkshire Community College (BCC) is pleased to announce new faculty and staff additions.

Colleen KaysColleen Kays Head Shot

Colleen Kays joined BCC as an Accountant II in the Student Accounts Office. Kays holds an Associate of Arts degree in Selected Studies from BCC and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from North Adams State College (MCLA). She has worked as a Data Coordinator and a Support and Stabilization Coordinator at Berkshire Children and Families for the past seven years. Prior to that, she worked in Accounts Payable at KB Toys. Kays has extensive experience working both with families in crisis and with vendors, collections, and auditors. Colleen lives in Dalton, MA with her husband and three children.

Deborah ThayerDeb Thayer Head Shot

Deborah Thayer joined BCC as a Database Analyst in the Information Technology (IT) department. Thayer comes to the College from the CSC Corporation, a worldwide IT consulting services company. She has extensive programming and analysis experience, project management skills, and software development expertise. She received her Associates in Science here at the College and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). Thayer, who lives in Lanesborough, MA, brings more than 25 years of experience in software development lifecycle, quality assurance, and data analysis.

 Tricia (Burr) GuerinoTricia Guerino Head Shot

Tricia (Burr) Guerino joined BCC as an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the BCC Nursing–LPN Program. She comes to the College from Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) where she has been a Staff/Charge Nurse in the emergency department and also held a position as Clinical Nurse Manager of Critical Care Services. Guerino’s nursing education started at BCC before she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through the Elms College. She is now working on her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and lives in Adams with her husband and three dogs. Guerino will bring her experience and knowledge to the classroom and clinical education to students in our Practical Nursing Certificate program.

Kathy Timpane Kathy Timpane Head Shot

Kathy Timpane joined BCC as the Learning Specialist in the Disability Resource Center. Timpane has worked with students with disabilities for over 20 years.  She recently comes to the College from the College Internship Program (CIP) in Lee, MA where she served as a student advisor and wellness instructor for college-age students on the autism spectrum.  At CIP, Kathy collaborated with various departments to create treatment plans, developed and implemented individualized academic plans, and supported students in life coaching and personal development, nutrition review and guidance, and sensory integration. Prior to her work at CIP, she served as an Adventure-Based Counselor (ABC) program coordinator and clinical case manager for Hillcrest Educational Center in Lenox. Timpane has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Springfield College and lives in Lenoxdale with her husband.

Jonah SykesJonah Sykes Head Shot

Jonah Sykes joined BCC as the Manager of Marketing and Communications. Sykes previously worked for six years at Berkshire United Way (BUW) – first as their Executive Assistant, then as the Coordinator of Marketing and Communications and finally as the Development Manager. During his time at BUW, he oversaw the fundraising efforts of over 190 employee charitable campaigns and led marketing efforts around website design, digital marketing analytics, and event planning. Sykes has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a Master of Arts degree in Public Communication from the College of Saint Rose. He also serves as the Chair of Berkshire Young Professionals and lives in Pittsfield with his husband, two dogs, and two cats.