Company Profile
Berkshire Community College
Company Overview
About Berkshire Community College
Built on 180 acres of meadows, orchards, wetlands, and forest only minutes away from downtown Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College reflects the natural and cultural diversity and richness of the Berkshires. Steeped in the New England tradition of compassionate individualism, we value independence, academic freedom, and the readiness to lend a helping hand. We are committed to providing an exceptional education and a wide range of opportunities that meet the diverse needs of our nearly 2000 students and our community through college transfer, workforce and career pathways, partnerships, and lifelong learning. Students and instructors enjoy active learning settings, current classroom technology, a professional recording and video production studio, pool and athletic facilities, a teaching kitchen, ten science labs, a supportive suite of student services, and an additional, interdisciplinary citizen science space, the Berkshire Science Commons.
Berkshire Community College encourages evidence-based teaching and helps faculty members avail themselves of many professional development opportunities, from frequent in-house training, and teaching-and-learning workshops to discipline-specific conferences. Within Academic Affairs, we seek to cultivate an atmosphere of collegial and collaborative learning focused on equitable student outcomes and inclusive relationships that promote curiosity and joy. Faculty and staff create innovative programs and opportunities that provide the knowledge and skills for students to thrive as globally minded, engaged community members and perpetual learners to better position students for successful transfer and employability. Therefore, we desire candidates who are student-centered, experienced with integrating high-impact practices within their teaching, skillful in online learning, and recognize that all members of the college community play a part in student learning and success.
About Berkshire County
Berkshire County is unique. Nestled in the Marble Valleys of the Northern Appalachians, the Berkshires offer a remarkable variety of scenery and natural settings, inviting year-round outdoors activities at any skill level. The natural beauty is complemented by a lively arts scene, from the world-famous Tanglewood summer music festival to fascinating museums and a host of galleries and grassroots collaborations. Industry, too, has a long history in the region, Berkshire Community College being prominently involved in innovation and workforce development. The proximity to major metropolitan centers, Boston, New York City, and Montreal all within easy driving distance, contributes to the Berkshires' very special blend of rural and urban.
Company History
Founded in 1960, Berkshire Community College (BCC) was the first community college established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Today, there are 15 community colleges throughout the state.
During its first 12 years, BCC was located in downtown Pittsfield in a former junior high school made available by the city. There, enrollment grew from 153 to 1,222 students.
In 1972, the college moved to its present location occupying a magnificent 180-acre site four miles from the center of Pittsfield. Twelve years later, a satellite facility known as the South County Center opened in Great Barrington.
Each year roughly 2,000 students enroll in day or evening credit courses at the main campus, off-campus sites, and/or online.
The vast majority of BCC students (97 percent) are Massachusetts residents with 94 percent coming from Berkshire County. More than half (62 percent) of the students are women. Our student body consists of 22% non-white students. Additionally, 51 percent of students are non-traditional by age (23 years or older).