BCC Announces New and Returning Staff, Promotion

Michael Carnevale joins BCC as Special Programs Coordinator – Fitness Center. Raised in Bradenton, Florida, he has lived in the Berkshires for the past 14 years. Carnevale earned a bachelor's degree in movement science from Westfield State University and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Previously, he was a physical therapist aide at Williamstown Physical Therapy and director of affiliate programs for Tax Titans. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his girlfriend Carly, weightlifting and baseball.

Kate Fletcher joins BCC as Assistant Professor, Nursing Division. She graduated from New Mexico State University in 2015 with a master's of science degree in nursing, and she also holds a bachelor's degree of science in kinesiology from UMass Amherst. Her nursing practice has focused on the level-three neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and she has trained many nurses in NICU over the past five years. Fletcher recently moved back to the Berkshires from Texas.

Matthew Gingras joins BCC's Facilities Department as Maintenance Equipment Operator II. Previously, he worked for the City of Pittsfield Parks Department, where he maintained all school and park grounds. Gingras was born and raised in Pittsfield and attended BCC for a short period. He enjoys snowmobiling, hockey and football.

Tina Hale joins BCC as Assistant Professor, Nursing Division. She began career at BCC in 2022 as a clinical adjunct instructor. Hale has more than 10 years of experience in acute care, including emergency department and critical care units. She is an alum of the BCC nursing program, graduating in 2013, and has a master's degree in nursing education from Chamberlain University. Hale is an artist who started painting during her second year of the nursing program as an outlet for stress. Since then, she has been painting various subjects and landscapes with watercolor, oil and acrylic paints.

Elaine Harwood joins BCC as Coordinator of Learning Services, overseeing testing and tutoring. She holds a bachelor of arts in music from Bennington College, a master's degree in in administration and supervision from Antioch University New England, and is enrolled in a PhD program in education policy and leadership at the State University of New York – Albany. Harwood comes to BCC following a 14-year career with the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center in Troy, New York, most recently serving as the Coordinator of Student Learning. A resident of New York near the Vermont/Massachusetts border, she is the mother of two adult children, a part-owner of a thoroughbred racehorse, and the caretaker of two black cats.

Shelly Ruocco joins BCC as Interim Executive Director of Human Resources. Ruocco launched her human resources career in higher education at Tufts University as a human resources representative and was soon named Director of Employee Relations and Employment. She worked for Hampshire College as the Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator for seven years and has also held positions at Smith and Amherst Colleges. She earned a bachelor's degree in Latin American studies from Mount Holyoke College and master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the State University of New York – Albany. Ruocco has multiple human resources certifications, is a trained mediator and has conducted Title IX investigations.

Micaela Scapin joins BCC as Enrollment Counselor. She received a earned a bachelor of arts degree in English with an emphasis in secondary education from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. After graduating college, Scapin spent time teaching and exploring the mountains in Colorado with her two German Shepherds. Having taught at the high school level for the past six years in Colorado and Massachusetts, she returned to the Berkshires in June 2021. She is also a local fitness instructor, and when she's not in the gym or exploring the outdoors, you can find her curled up with a good book and her dogs.

Tina Tartaglia joins BCC as Special Programs Coordinator – Dual Enrollment Coach. She attended one year at BCC before transferring to Arizona State University for undergraduate studies in social work. She then earned a master's degree in education/school counseling at UMass Amherst, where she worked in the Office of Student Disability Services. Previously, she was a vocational counselor and a school counselor at a tribal school in Washington State before returning to the Berkshires, where she has worked as a youth substance use educator at The Brien Center, a guidance counselor at Herberg Middle School and a community health worker apprenticeship coordinator at Holyoke Community College. She enjoys hiking, biking, travel, Berkshire culture, American Roots music, contra dancing and spiritual pursuit.

Hope Tornquist joins BCC's Business Office as Accountant II, where she assists with billing. Tornquist comes to BCC with many years of business office experience, most recently from Berkshire Health Systems, where she had served as an accounts receivable specialist since 2013. When she is not working, Hope enjoys photography and hiking or kayaking with her husband.

Nicole Tucker joins BCC as Assistant Professor – Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). She is starting her new position by teaching PTA courses and, in fall 2023, will expand her role to coordinate the PTA program. Tucker holds a master's degree in physical therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida and a bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of New Hampshire. She comes to BCC with expansive clinical experience.

Craig Ptak returns to BCC as Recreational Facilities Supervisor III at Paterson Field House, where he worked from 2014 to 2020. He is a BCC graduate and also received his bachelor's degree in movement science from Westfield State University. Ptak has been an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified personal trainer since 2008. After his three-year hiatus, he looks forward to helping reopen the newly renovated Field House. A nearly lifelong Berkshire County resident, he currently resides in Dalton with his fiancée Sarah and their two young boys, Aiden and Benjamin. He enjoys hiking and playing "really bad golf."

Maryrose Williams, previously an assistant professor and chair of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, has been promoted to Director of Nursing. She graduated from BCC's nursing program in 2005 and subsequently earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern New Hampshire University. Williams specializes in IV therapy at Berkshire Medical Center and was a recipient of BCC's Forty Under Forty Award in 2022.