Driscoll Sees Renovations and Career Tracks at BCC / iBerkshires.com

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll swung by Berkshire Community College on Wednesday for a tour of its educational facilities after making grant announcements in Stockbridge.

President Ellen Kennedy led Driscoll through the college's One Stop Center for student services, the Berkshire Science Commons maker space, BCC's nursing labs, and renovations to the Hawthorne and Melville halls. They were joined by Mayor Linda Tyer and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. "We're really trying to open doors. You can see a wide range of students here from folks who just graduated from high school who may have been part of an early college program to older adults who are trying to make their way to maybe a different career or upscale of what they have currently for their skill set," Driscoll said. "And I think that's the answer we see is opening doors for Massachusetts so excited to see the physical improvements underway but even more excited to see the range of students who are investing in a brighter future for them and that, in turn, will be a brighter future for Massachusetts." Kennedy also highlighted the college's robust solar panel system and the college's turf field that is used by students, athletic teams, and community organizations. "We are the community's living room and that's how we see ourselves," she said. Last year, the community college received a $350,000 grant through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to update its simulated medical lab. The funds went toward two new maternity mom and newborn models, two more 5-year-old models, wound-care kits with accompanying software, an electronic medical record program, an Omnicell medication dispenser, and crash carts. The models have upgraded technology from current ones to provide the students with a more realistic experience. "We know that Massachusetts is a state that can be a high-cost state in terms of living here so any opportunity we have to support individuals gaining a skill set that we know can pay them a living wage, put them in a position to not only address workforce shortages but also provide better for their family, that's a real win-win," Driscoll said after seeing the lab. She highlighted the importance of the MassReconnect program that allows residents 25 years or older to earn an associate's degree or certificate for free at any of the state's 15 public community colleges.