BCC Announces New Staff Members, Promotions
Pittsfield, MA — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of two new
staff members and two promotions.
New Staff
Akinyemi Blackshear joins BCC as Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications. Originally from
North Carolina, Blackshear holds a bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University
of North Carolina at Greensboro. Most recently, they served as marketing operations
manager at Theory Wellness and as manager of social media accounts for the Coalition
to Protect America’s National Parks. They previously interned at Jacob’s Pillow Dance
Festival — an experience that launched an eight-year career in marketing. In their
free time, they enjoy choreographing and dancing, spending time outdoors and with
family, experiencing local arts and occasionally birding with the Hoffmann Bird Club.
Blackshear and their partner, Steven, live in Pittsfield.
Matthew Kenny joins BCC as Dean of Science and Business. He brings 25 years of experience as a
professor of biological sciences and as program coordinator and division chair of
massage therapy at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, NY. Kenny has a strong
background in program assessment, curriculum development, faculty mentorship, community
partnerships and evidence-based teaching and learning practices. His leadership with
Achieving the Dream (ATD) at Columbia-Greene reflects his ability to build collaboration
and drive student-focused, equity-centered work. Kenny is an amateur silversmith and
lover of all things gardening. He lives outside of Hudson, NY, with his husband, two
dogs and eight chickens.
Promotions
Addie VanDeurzen is has been promoted to Senior Manager, Bridge to College. She had been the CTE Linkage
and Concurrent Enrollment coordinator since joining BCC in October 2013.
Judith Weiner has been promoted to Program Manager, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at
BCC. She had been Administrative Assistant I for OLLI since joining BCC in March 2022.
