The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Board of Trustees voted this evening 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.
Hara Charlier, Ph.D.
"This has been an open, thoughtful and deeply collaborative process from start to
finish. The level of engagement from our campus community and the strength of our
finalist pool made this an exciting and challenging decision. We are confident that
Dr. Charlier is the right leader to guide Berkshire Community College into its next
chapter," Julia Bowen, chair of the BCC Board of Trustees.
"We will now enter negotiations over the terms of appointment, including salary and
start date, knowing that the nomination and details of those terms are subject to
approval by the Board of Higher Education. We hope to have their approval as early
as possible." Bowen added.
The Presidential Search Committee identified four finalists from a strong initial
pool of applicants. Candidates participated in on-campus interviews and public forums
in February and March, meeting with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community
members. Feedback gathered during those sessions informed the Board's final decision.
"It was an honor to represent students during this search process. The committee worked
thoughtfully to find a leader who values student success, community partnership, and
the mission of community colleges," said Morgan Mickle, Student Government Association
(SGA) Secretary and Liberal Arts major. "I'm excited to welcome our new president
and look forward to seeing how they help BCC continue to grow and serve the Berkshires."
Dr. Charlier's leadership is rooted in expanding higher education access and opportunity
in rural communities. Since 2016, she has served as president of Central Lakes College,
part of the 33-institution Minnesota State system. Under her leadership, the college
has transformed the student experience to advance equitable success, growing enrollment,
modernizing facilities, and launching more than 20 new academic programs, while prioritizing
partnerships, expanding resources, and reinforcing fiscal sustainability. Her leadership
philosophy centers on voice, relationships, and belonging, an approach reflected in
the college's recognition as a Great College to Work For and as one of the Aspen Institute's
Top 200 Community Colleges.
Dr. Charlier holds a BS in Animal Science from Cornell University, an MS in Microbiology
from Miami University, and a PhD in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion
University.
Upon hearing that she was being recommended for the appointment, Dr. Charlier said,
"I am honored to advance to this next phase of the process to join Berkshire Community
College at this important moment in its history. I deeply respect the College's legacy
and its unwavering commitment to students and community."
Founded in 1960 as the first community college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Berkshire Community College serves more than 2,000 students annually across degree,
certificate, noncredit and workforce development programs. The College plays a vital
role in supporting economic mobility, lifelong learning and workforce readiness throughout
the Berkshires.
President Ellen Kennedy, who announced her retirement earlier this year, said, "I
feel confident in the board's decision to appoint Dr. Charlier. I am excited to welcome
her to campus as I transition out. I am excited to see how she builds on our strong
foundation and carries our mission forward."
The presidential search timeline was structured as follows:
- January – February 2026: Initial interviews
- February – March 2026: On-campus finalist interviews
- March 2026: Recommendation to the BCC Board of Trustees and Massachusetts Board of
Higher Education
- July 2026: New president begins service
Visit BCC's Presidential Search page for additional information about the process, including finalist materials and
community engagement opportunities
