BCC Announces Faculty, Staff Members, Title Changes

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of five new staff members and two title changes. 
 
New faculty/staff
 
Dr. Thomas Burton-Steele joins Berkshire Community College as Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Division of Science and Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from The University of Alabama and a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech. His teaching and research interests span applied physics, electronics and materials engineering, with a focus on hands-on, student-centered learning. Outside the classroom, he enjoys biking, traveling, cooking, caring for his cats and playing video games. 
 
Steven Carvalho, Ed.D. joins Berkshire Community College as Coordinator of Disability Services.  He earned his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Supervision from American International College. Carvalho has held numerous roles in the Connecticut public school system, including school psychologist, Director of Pupil and Special Education Services, and Supervisor of Special Education. Additionally, he served as an adjunct instructor at Southern Connecticut State University’s Counseling and School Psychology Department, where he taught courses on assessments and behavioral intervention techniques. Originally from Connecticut, he and his husband reside in Becket, MA. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law. He is also a grandfather of three-month-old twin boys. In his spare time, Carvalho likes to go on hikes with his family, take Max (his English bulldog) on walks or enjoy a quiet evening at home. 
 
Stacie Klinowski joins Berkshire Community College as the Coordinator of Writing Across the Curriculum in the Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation. Klinowski’s background is in Writing Studies, and she has worked recently as the Assistant Director and Writing Across the Curriculum Coordinator of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Writing Center. Her hobbies include watercolor painting, hiking and hanging out with her cats.  
 
Kennedy Piper joins Berkshire Community College as Administrative Assistant I, One Stop. She brings six years of extensive administrative and clerical expertise to the department. Originally from upstate New York, she is now a resident of Lee, Massachusetts and is currently pursuing her degree in community and human services. Piper says she is eager to apply her organizational skills and passion for service to help students navigate and be successful in their academic journeys. 
Outside of the office, she stays busy spending quality time with her pup, Bentley, and beloved family and friends. She enjoys crafting, shopping, catching the latest movies, planning her next vacation and looking for new adventures.  
 
Esra ?ahin joins Berkshire Community College as Assistant Professor of Psychology. Originally from Türkiye, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in her home country and doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois. In addition to gaining 10 years of teaching experience at various institutions, she recently worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Utah State University. Coming from a background combining teaching and research, ?ahin has extensive experience in areas related to adolescent wellbeing, cross-cultural psychology and interpersonal relationships. In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband, playing videogames, hiking and camping. 
 
Title Changes
 
Kolumbia Granger is now the Manager, One Stop Enrollment Operations.  She had been the Associate Director of Admissions since she joined BCC in October 2023. 
 
Georgina Riley is now Assistant Professor of Nursing. She had been adjunct faculty for the Nursing, Health and Wellness Division. She joined BCC in August 2023. 

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Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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