PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the renewal of its participation in the Berkshire Honors Scholar program. 

 

The program is part of the Commonwealth Honors Program, members of which include all four University of Massachusetts campuses, seven state university campuses and 14 community colleges. 

 

The renewal of BCC's participation in the program follows a visit from the Commonwealth's Department of Higher Education (DHE), which conducts site visits every seven years. After each site visit, BCC conducts a self-study, using DHE guidelines, to analyze the program.  

 

"DHE was so impressed with how enthused and engaged our honors students are," said Honors Coordinator Chris Laney, who noted that for the first time since the program began at BCC in 2006, there are more than 100 honors students. 

 

To fulfill Berkshire Honors Scholar graduation requirements, students must take at least three honors courses and maintain a B average or better. Those who meet the requirements and are accepted to any Commonwealth Honors Program member institution are guaranteed admission to the honors program at that school.  

 

Students in the Berkshire Honors Scholar program take intellectually engaging courses, with smaller class sizes, in the company of other students who care deeply about learning. Honors students also enjoy a dedicated Honors Center on campus, where they can meet, rest or study. 

 

In the time since the previous DHE site visit, Laney says he has seen noticeable improvements to the program.  

 

"The real effort has been to increase access and equitability. We have maintained our success rate and our students continue to excel. The percentage of Pell Grant–eligible students in the program has risen to a rate above the College as a whole," Laney said. 

 

Most graduates of the Berkshire Honors Scholar program continue to four-year schools, with the main incentive being getting into an honors college, Laney explained. While the honors college at UMass is considered the flagship, Westfield State University also has a strong honors program that provides flexibility and ease of transfer, he added, noting that one recent BCC graduate was accepted to Ivy League schools but chose Westfield for its excellent financial package. 

 

"I want our honors students to know that they can go just about anywhere," Laney said.