BCC Alumni Association Board Members

Welcome!

The Alumni Association includes all of our alumni and is dedicated to our students, the College and the community it serves. Our mission is to reach out, engage and promote relationships between alumni and the College, through events, networking opportunities and programs that support BCC and our alumni community.

The Alumni Board meetings are open to all alumni and are being held bi-monthly on the third Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Email us for more information on meeting locations and how to become a member of the board.

Contact Us

alumni@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-3071

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BCC Alumni Board

  • Lisa Jester, President
  • Dylan Newell '23, Vice President
  • Lauran Laurent '04, Sectary
  • Amy Brueckmann, Treasurer
  • Melissa Myers 89, Alumni-elected Trustee
  • Deb Belland '75
  • Josh Brilliant
  • Crystal Garneau '07
  • Kathaleen Mogul '25
  • Fadia Rostom Makdisi
  • Board Member Bios
    Lisa Jester (she/her/hers)

    Lisa joined the BCC Alumni Association in January 2023. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, she continued her education by taking courses at Berkshire Community College. She values her state education and the doors it has opened for her and for so many other students.

    Lisa has been in the Project Management field for over 20 years in various industries including healthcare, insurance, and non-profits; she currently works for Berkshire Bank as the AVP Senior Project Manager.

    Lisa was a member of the Board of Directors at the Pittsfield/Berkshire Family YMCA for 17 years including roles as the Board President, Chair of the Annual Support Campaign, and led the Board to develop a new Strategic Plan. She was named the YMCA's Volunteer of the Year twice. She was also the Chairperson of the YMCA of the USA Northeast Association Assembly.

    She is a graduate of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and was a Loaned Executive for the Berkshire United Way. Lisa was also an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Excellence Award.

    Lisa enjoys working in her yard and going to the gym. She lives with her husband in Pittsfield, MA and has two grown boys.

    Lisa Jester
    Fadia Rostom Makdisi

    "I relocated to Berkshire County in 2005 with my husband, Tony Makdisi. In 2006, I enrolled at BCC, a decision that has proven to be one of the best I have ever made. My experience at BCC was exhilarating and meaningful, with fun and exciting classes that helped me meet the prerequisites for a bachelor's program at MCLA.

    Having moved from Syria with a degree in computer science and experience as a college teacher's assistant, I was wondering if returning to school would be a thrilling experience.

    However, with the guidance and support of the excellent staff at BCC, I landed a great job as the principal of Saint Agnes Academy in Dalton, MA.

    Community college is an excellent place to start if you are unsure about your future, have specific goals, or require a supportive and nurturing community to assist you in navigating the challenges. I believe in education and community service and strive to give back to the community. As the principal of Saint Agnes Academy, it brings me joy to see students and instructors achieve their goals. Many neighbors and friends have graduated from BCC and led successful lives, careers, and families.

    I am a proud mother of three daughters who highly prioritize education and community involvement. Being a first-generation immigrant who experienced the life-changing benefits of education, I am privileged to serve as a member of the BCC Alumni Board. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the BCC alumni board, the BCC community, and the broader Berkshire Community for years to come."

    Fadia Rostom Makdisi
    Kathaleen Mogul

    "Hi, My name is Kathaleen. I started attending college January 2020 for an associate degree.

    This year I also am working towards a Tech Certificate so when I graduate, I will have an associate degree and a Tech Certificate.

    I am a young 60 year old. I was born and raised in Pittsfield, MA. I came to college in 2020 to become a better Drama teacher. I taught at the time at Berkshire Dream Center — two plays and a special sing along with the kids. I also was in a bible study, prayer group, and played in the band. I started with 12-string guitar and went to six strings then learned to play the piano because Pastor needed a piano player. Then later moved to bass playing.

    I had a house fire on Dec. 28, 2019. I still pursued school. Thanks to financial aid I am able to be at BCC and am grateful and thankful. Later on in the year, Oct. 1, 2022, I was homeless till Feb. 1, 2023. I now have a home and back on track with my schoolwork. All through this mess, I hope it will be a powerful message someday.

    I am also a Producer at Pittsfield Community Television since 2019. The name of my show is "The Kathaleen Show." The show is mainly animals and a reminder that God loves us. I also do Special Editions, for example. Thank you, PCTV. Thank you, BCC.

    To date, I have done 75 shows and growing.

    My goal is to one day make a movie with Melessa McCarthy and then come back and help my community. I help as many as I can whether it is just listening or handing out supplies, whatever may be needed. I would like to reach as many people as possible to encourage that we all have value. Please feel free to ask any questions that would be of help to you. I hope all of you have a peaceful day."

    Kathaleen Mogul
    Melissa Myers (she/her)

    Melissa joined the BCC Alumni Association in 2015 serving as Secretary, Vice President, and then President. She graduated from BCC in 1989 with a degree in Office Management and served in the Student Government Association (SGA) and as Student Trustee. She returned to BCC in 2019 and transferred to MCLA, subsequently graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Sociology. During that time, she served as a tutor of many subjects and was voted Tutor of the Year. She is also currently the Alumni-Elected Trustee on the Board of Trustees where she serves as Vice Chair and Chair of the Student Success Committee.

    Melissa currently works at Berkshire Bank as their Foundation Administrator. She is proud to be involved on the bank's Berkshire County Culture Council, and in multiple Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) including Power of Women, Pride (ally), and People of Color (ally). She is a 2018 recipient of Berkshire Bank's X-tra Mile volunteer award, and a 2019 recipient of the bank's Volunteer X-ellence Award for both corporate-sponsored and personal volunteer activities.

    Melissa has served on several boards and has volunteered with a variety of nonprofits in the Berkshires. She also sang with a handful of variety shows in the area, most notably for 11 years with the Earth Angels, helping to raise almost $1 million for local nonprofits. In addition, she serves as Church Council clerk at the First Congregational Church of Lee, plays in a handbell choir, and is involved with UCP. She is also a 2007 graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program. In 2020, she was named an Honoree for her volunteer efforts by the Berkshire Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.

    Melissa lives in Pittsfield with her husband, Karl, and together they take great joy in spending time with their two granddaughters.

    Melissa Myers
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