Spotlights

The fact that Rezeda Kohlenberger passed her EMT exam a few months ago might sound straightforward, but for Rezeda — who emigrated from Russia — the journey was not easy. When she arrived in America, she went through a lengthy process to get a work permit. By the time the paperwork was complete, the spread of COVID had begun.

A Pittsfield native, Randy McLeod '03 was attending Pittsfield High where he started taking computer programming classes. It took off from there, eventually leading him down a path that brought him to where he is now: Director of Technology at Lenox Public Schools. "BCC was truly the foundation of bringing me to where I am today."

"Our students are filling a need. If you look within a 50-mile radius, there are probably at least 25 or 30 open positions," says Maggie Goss, Assistant Professor of Respiratory Care. "There aren't many jobs out there where you can come out of school with a two-year associate degree and your starting salary is $65,000 to $70,000+ a year."

"When I see a single mother of three children receiving her scholarship, just trying to improve her life by taking classes... Those children are in the audience, clapping for her, and she's showing them what she can accomplish with hard work. BCC's commitment to students of all walks of life is truly inspiring."

"When I arrived to the area, my only family was my husband and his mother," says Workforce program manager Tiffany Moreno, who knows a thing or two about taking opportunities when they present themselves. "I always tell my students that you never know where life will take you. Don't be afraid to take risks — just put yourself out there."