Presidential Search Finalists

Board of Trustees Recommends Next President

The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Board of Trustees voted on March 16, 2026  to recommend Dr. Hara D. Charlier as the next president of BCC to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. Dr. Charlier is the president of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota. The vote took place during a special Board of Trustees meeting held at BCC and broadcast live by Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV).

The Board of Trustees' recommendation is contingent upon approval by the Board of Higher Education.

The recommendation follows a comprehensive, national search conducted in partnership with Academic Search and guided by the Presidential Profile developed through extensive campus and community input. The search process was carried out in accordance with guidelines established by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

Board of Trustees Recommends Next President

About the Finalists

  • Hara Charlier, Ph.D.

    Hara Charlier, Ph.D., is the President, Central Lakes College. Dr. Charlier holds a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in microbiology from Miami University and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.

    Hara Charlier
  • Nicole Esposito, Ed.D.

    Nicole Esposito, Ed.D., is the Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Community College (through June 2026). Dr. Esposito holds a Doctorate in Educational Psychology, a C.A.G.S. in Adjustment Counseling, and a Master's in forensic psychology from American International College, as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Springfield College.

    Nicole Esposito
  • Karen Hynick, Ed.D.

    Karen Hynick, Ed.D., is Acting Provost for Connecticut State Community College. Dr. Hynick is a native of New England and earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Master of Education at Worcester State University, and Ed.D. in Educational Administration at Bethel University, St. Paul, MN.

    Karen Hynick
  • Albert Lewis, Jr., Ed.D.

    Albert Lewis, Jr., Ed.D., most recently served as Chief of Staff/Executive Vice President at Northwest State Community College. Dr. Lewis holds a doctorate in Education from Gwynedd Mercy University, an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University, an M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of Akron, and a B.A. in Speech Broadcasting from Marshall University.

    Albert Lewis

Contact Us

presidentialsearch@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-1003
Campus Map (PDF)
Directions

BCC and surrounding mountains

BCC has the distinction of being the first community college established in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Nestled in the scenic Berkshire Hills, over 2,000 students have access to a wide range of career and transfer programs on our renovated campus. Occupying a scenic 180-acre property, just minutes from downtown Pittsfield, BCC provides students from a broad range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds with an intimate learning environment, small class sizes, and faculty interaction.