Academic Success Coaching

What is Academic Success Coaching?

Looking for SUCCESS Workshops?

Academic Success Coaching is a support that gives you the opportunity to:

  • Establish connections with multiple offices across BCC and navigate barriers to increase success
  • Identify and build upon your learning style
  • Learn how to self advocate
  • Explore and discover interests, goals, and success strategies
  • Achieve an increased executive skillset by developing organizational and time management skills to help reach success
  • Create goals and develop action plans for academic, career, and personal development goals to succeed in college and beyond

Request a Coach!

Contact Us

Email Academic Success
413-236-1624
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

BCC Academic Success Center logo
What are the benefits of working with a Coach?
  • Tailored individual experiences
  • Opportunity to strengthen skills needed for success
  • Individual support related to your academic needs and goals
  • Improved personal skills and behaviors
  • Strengthened work life balance
  • Improved interpersonal skills
  • Increased confidence in your own success
  • Enhanced self-awareness of goals and skills
  • Personable relationship building
  • Making connections with BCC
A visual graphic depicting how the various components of academic success coaching work together to help students meet their requirements and achieve their goals

Upcoming Events

March Workshops:

  • SUCCESS Collegial Communication Workshop
    • March 5, 2:00 – 2:30 pm virtual only (Zoom)
    • Join SUCCESS Coaches Cheryl and Kristin for this workshop designed to demonstrate how to effectively communicate verbally and in writing to professors, staff, advisors, and peers. Everyone is welcome!
  • Major and Career Exploration
    • March 7, 11:00am-12:00 pm in M-211
    • Do you know what kinds of careers you can pursue with your major? Are you undecided about what you want to study in college? Join Success Coach Sarah to explore different majors and careers that would be a great fit for you.
  • SUCCESS Managing Commitments Workshop
    • March 13, 2:00 -2:30 virtual only (Zoom)
    • Join SUCCESS Coach Eric who will help students learn the meaning and benefits of time management as well as systems for prioritizing tasks and identifying priorities. We will survey tools for examining "what matters most" so individuals can develop plans to "stay on purpose" and achieve what is important to them.
  • SUCCESS Self-Care and; Mindset Workshop
    • March 28, 1:00 – 1:30 pm - M-212
    • Do you have a hard time prioritizing your needs and focusing on self-care? Join SUCCESS Coaches, Cheryl and Kristin, to discuss self-care and mindset to help you focus on yourself and how to better support your needs. Food, drinks, and forum credit!

Questions? Email SUCCESS Coach Cheryl Mirer

Four Year Visits :

  • UMASS Amherst
    • March 15, 2024
  • Westfield State University
    • March 27, 2024

Please contact Gabriella Martinez (gmartinez@berkshirecc.edu) for any questions!

Meet Your SUCCESS Team

  • Lyndsay Isham-Morton (she/her)
    Director of Academic Advising and Coaching

    Contact: lisham@berkshirecc.edu

    Lyndsay was named Director of Academic and Transfer Advising in October 2022 and assumed leadership of Academic Coaching in August 2023 after serving as both an Academic Counselor and Student Advising Coordinator at BCC. She provides leadership and oversight of academic and transfer advising and academic coaching and partners with faculty and staff to continuously improve the support services we offer. Well-versed in BCC's advising software, Lyndsay offers workshops for faculty, staff, and students on how to make the most of our technology. As a first-generation college student, she loves helping students understand how to navigate their college experience and make the most of their time at BCC. Lyndsay earned her BA in Political Science from William Smith College and her MA in counseling from Johnson State College. Originally from Vermont, she now lives in Pittsfield with her family and is at home on the sidelines of the softball field watching her girls play the sport they love.

    Lyndsay Isham-Morton
  • Sheaden Callahan (she/her)
    Clerk IV

    Contact: scallahan@berkshirecc.edu

    Sheaden Callahan is the Clerk IV for the SUCCESS Program. She earned her B.A in Psychology at MCLA, and has enjoyed living in the Berkshires since. She is passionate about cultivating positive relationships and providing individual support to all of the SUCCESS students. In her free time, she enjoys walking, trying new foods, dog watching, and relaxing.

    Sheaden Callahan
  • Gabriella E. Martinez (she/her)
    Community/Outreach Counselor - SUCCESS Essential Needs Navigator

    Contact: gmartinez@berkshirecc.edu

    A native to Berkshire County, Gabriella attended American International College (AIC), where she earned her B.A. in sociology. Her passion for higher education brings her back to the Berkshires, where she seeks to foster the strong sense of community within BCC and help students succeed to their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, biking, reading or doing yoga.

    Gabriella Martinez
  • Cheryl Mirer (she/her)
    Special Programs Coordinator – Academic SUCCESS Coach MassReconnect

    Contact: cmirer@berkshirecc.edu

    Cheryl Mirer is an Academic SUCCESS Coach for the BCC SUCCESS Program. Cheryl generally works with MassReconnect/students who are 25 and older. She comes to BCC with over 25 years experience in a variety of fields including teaching, fundraising, event planning, leading small non-profit organizations, and higher education. Cheryl grew up in Burlington, CT and earned a Bachelor of Fine Art and Art History at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master of Science in Arts Administration at Boston University. Cheryl is a painter, printmaker, and mixed media artist and serves on the board of the Berkshire Art Center. Cheryl loves dogs, hiking, yoga, gardening, cooking and helping others. She is passionate about the Berkshire community and wishes to make a difference in people’s lives.

    Cheryl Mirer
  • Eric Nystrom (he/his)
    Academic Success Coach

    Contact: enystrom@berkshirecc.edu

    Eric earned his bachelor's degree from Nichols College majoring in psychology. He continued his studies at Springfield College where he received a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in student personnel in higher education. He has served at BCC in a variety of roles since 2005. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach.

    Eric Nystrom
  • Kristin Winsett (she/her)
    Academic Success Coach

    Contact: kwinsett@berkshirecc.edu

    Kristin is an Academic Success Coach for the BCC Success Coaching Program as well as the TRIO Learning Specialist. Kristin holds a B.A. in Biochemistry, a M.S. in Biomedical Science and a Certificate in Public Health from Regis College. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, doing puzzles, baking and spending time with her two cats.

    Kristin Winsett
  • Sarah Burdick (she/her)
    Academic Success/Career Coach

    Contact: sburdick@berkshirecc.edu

    Sarah Burdick is an Academic SUCCESS/Career Coach for the SUCCESS Program. She earned her bachelor's degree from MCLA majoring in Psychology. Sarah is certified as an Out Alliance Safe Zone Trainer and has prior experience in academic coaching/advising, multicultural affairs, and student records. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and her two pets, a cat and a dog.

    Sarah Burdick
  • Dana Buxton (she/her)
    Academic Success Coach

    Contact: dbuxton@berkshirecc.edu

    Dana Buxton is the Academic SUCCESS Coach for the Disabilities Resource Center. She comes to BCC with more than 15 years of experience supporting diverse populations to heal, grow, and achieve their life goals. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Stanford University and her master's degree in Psychology, with a focus in Ecopsycholgy, from Antioch University Seattle. Originally from Texas, she loves the natural beauty of the Berkshires and is an avid birder.

    Dana Buxton