BCC Announces New Faculty/Staff, Promotions, Title Changes

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of four faculty/staff members, three promotions and two title changes. 
 
New Faculty/Staff
 
Jacqueline Bianco joins BCC as Assistant Professor - Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Originally from Trumbull, CT, she holds a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology / athletic training from the University of New Hampshire and a doctorate in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University. Bianco was a competitive gymnast in her youth, which led her to a career as a physical therapist. With 13 years of clinical experience, she was previously a physical therapist and personal trainer for Timeless Training and Gymfest Gymnastics in Pittsfield. She has lived in the Berkshires since 2011 and enjoys spending time with her 3-year-old daughter, working out, traveling to the beach and crocheting.
 
Caleb Kendig joins BCC as Maintainer I. A resident of Dalton, he is a graduate of McCann Technical school, where he studied information technology. He completed about two years of core classes and criminal justice classes at BCC before enrolling at Westfield State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in history. Throughout high school and the two years he was at BCC, he worked for BJs Wholesale Club as a cart pusher and cashier. After college, he worked security at a summer camp and then at BCC as contracted security before the Maintainer I opportunity arose. Hobbies include video games, board games, anime, TV and movies, and Dungeons and Dragons.
 
Sarah Ryndak joins BCC as Employee Engagement & Talent Development Specialist. With 16 years of experience in higher education administration at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the Human Resources Department. Most recently, she served as the administrative director of the Collaborative Arts & Open Arts Program, where her responsibilities included oversight for human resources and compliance. At BCC, Sarah will focus on employee engagement and training while contributing to all areas of HR. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree in higher education from New York University’s Steinhardt School. Ryndak resides in Great Barrington with her husband and two daughters.
 
Rebecca Wehry joins BCC as Executive Director of Development. She brings extensive experience from her role as director of development at Buxton School, where she managed responsibilities similar to those she will take on at BCC. Previously, she served as associate director of development at Simon’s Rock for almost four years, including eight months as interim director. Wehry’s career began at MASS MoCA, where she spent 10 years in various roles, including manager of special events, partnerships and external affairs. She later joined Hancock Shaker Village. A Berkshire County native and MCLA graduate, Wehry also completed an undergraduate internship with Pittsfield’s Colonial Theatre. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, going on adventures with her husband and three stepchildren, and caring for their two dogs and flock of chickens.
 
 
Promotions
 
Jason Dion is now Interim Director of Facilities. Previously, he was Plumber and Steamfitter II. He has been with BCC since May 2024.
 
Kaila Mullaney is now Academic Affairs Division Manager. She joined BCC in September 2021 as Administrative Assistant for the Vice President and Office of Academic Affairs.
 
Erin Seagrave is now Executive Director of Academic Operations, Planning and Assessment. She was previously Director of Academic Operations. She has been with BCC since July 2022.
 
 
Title changes
 
Julia Curletti is now Division Manager, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Previously, she was Interim Division Manager, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. She has been with BCC since January 2017.               
 
Craig Ptak is now Recreation Facilities Supervisor III. Previously, he was Recreation Facilities Supervisor II. He joined BCC in March 2014.                

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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics. 

The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.

"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.

Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.

"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."

Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.

Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.

"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."

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