Presidential Search

After more than a decade of transformative leadership, Ellen Kennedy will retire as President of Berkshire Community College (BCC) at the end of the 2025 – 2026 academic year. Since 2012, Kennedy has led campus renewal projects, expanded academic programs, strengthened community partnerships, and championed student success and equity. Her tenure also saw significant growth in philanthropic support and resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic. As BCC prepares for a new strategic plan and its 2029 NECHE Self-Study, Kennedy expressed confidence in the College's future and gratitude for the community's shared commitment to its mission.

Dear Members of the BCC Community,

The selection of our next President of Berkshire Community College is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to the Board of Trustees. We are committed to ensuring that the presidential search process is transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive. Our goal is to have a new President in place by July 1, 2026.

We will be seeking a new President who reflects the values and aspirations of our community and can lead our college into the future. Thus, your voice is an essential part of this search. Throughout the process, there will be opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to share your perspectives; this input will help shape the qualities and experiences we seek in our next President.

We envision three distinct ways we can capture your input - through the Presidential Search Committee, through campus conversations to build a position profile, and near the end of the process, when finalists come to the campus for in-person interviews.

We will share updates on our progress through our website. Please email presidentialsearch@berkshirecc.edu if you have questions about the search process.

Thank you for your commitment to Berkshire Community College. Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and a strong future.

Sincerely,
Julia Bowen
Chair, Board of Trustees, Berkshire Community College

The process will follow the MA Board of Higher Education Guidelines.

Open Meeting Law Guide and Educational Materials (PDF)

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, our nearly 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.

Directions

Campus Map (PDF)

presidentialsearch@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-1003