From left to right: New BCC student, Amanda Schuler, AmeriCorps*VISTA and Mary Parkman, Service-Learning Coordinator participate in BCC’s New Student Orientation on the quad this morning.

We had a great group of new students attend our information session this morning! They were from all over Berkshire County and even one student from Franklin County, who is attending the college to pursue a degree in Culinary Arts. A thank you to Jade Rose, Service-Learning Student Leader who took this photo and shared her service-learning experience with new students. We are also thrilled to have Amanda Schuler on board to promote and support the Service-Learning program here on campus and in the community.

We look forward to an exciting fall semester of service-learning!

My name is Amanda Schuler and I am this year’s new Massachusetts Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer for BCC’s Service-Learning Office.

I am from Dalton, Massachusetts and I graduated this past spring from MCLA, cum laude, with a B.S. in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing and Management. While at MCLA I worked for the Student Development Office on orientation and events for my campus and our outside community, the Academic Affairs Office and Continuing Education. Throughout my four years, I was accepted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. I served as Treasurer, choreographer, and member of the MCLA Dance Company and was elected as Co-President during my senior year where I was also elected the Class of 2012 Treasurer that was part of our Student Government Association (SGA). I also held the position of Vice President for the Cheer Club for two years and served my fellow students as a Peer Advisor. My dedication to service gave me the honor and privilege of winning the “Student Development Unsung Hero Award” in April 2012.

My college experience and knowledge that I have gained has really made me who I am today. I have learned a lot about myself and how I can and want to help others in my community to build and make it stronger. I believe my leadership skills and commitment to service will make me a great role model for the BCC students and an excellent representative of the college in the community.

The focus of my one-year tenure is on supporting BCC’s Service-Learning partnerships with the Pittsfield Public Schools and the Berkshire Immigrant Center. I will expand our existing tutor/mentor program with the schools to include English Language Learners K-12. I will also utilize resources from the Berkshire Immigrant Center to support the new ELL collaboration with the schools and the educational and economic aspirations of the broader immigrant population in the Berkshires.

Immediate opening for one full-time Massachusetts Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) to support Service-Learning initiatives at Berkshire Community College that strengthen campus-community partnerships in areas of diversity and public education.

Apply by Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Click here: VISTA Job Description

Position Starts: August 3, 2012

Qualifications:

        ♦ College Degree – A.A./A.S., B.A./B.S.

        ♦ Strong interest in service and working collaboratively with others to address community needs.

        ♦ Excellent communication skills and ability to manage multiple projects

        ♦ Bilingual skills (oral and written) a plus

   Benefits:

      ♦ Post service educational award of $5,350

      ♦ Monthly living allowance

To Apply:

Send Cover Letter, Resume, and four (4) references to:

Mary Parkman, Service-Learning Coordinator

Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Application Deadline: May 30, 2012

Massachusetts Campus Compact is an Equal Opportunity Employer

More Info: http://ase.tufts.edu/MACC/VISTA.htm

On Thursday, May 10th BCC hosted a celebratory luncheon to honor and recognize 55 students, faculty members and community representatives who participated in Service-Learning during the spring 2012 semester. Students received certificates presented by Dean of Academic Affairs, Fran Feinerman. The group heard from appreciative and dedicated community partners and three students shared reflections on their service-learning experience.

(Click link to view video of student presentations.)

Service-Learning Student Reflections

Dear BCC Community:

April 27th will be the fourth annual Berkshire Community College Campus Green Up. You can find information on the Green Up on the college website at: http://www.berkshirecc.edu/campusgreenupday

If you are ready to sign up to participate, you can click here to go directly the new online sign up form– it’s paper free and Zero Waste!

If you have any questions about this, contact me at 413-236-2105 or ckaminsk@berkshirecc.edu.

ALSO: Special thanks to Interim President Ellen Kennedy for providing a voucher for lunch to be provided for anyone that participates in the day’s activities.

Thank you and we hope you’ll be able to join us.

Charlie Kaminski
BCC Green Team

This week, the second session in the CHILL series took place in the General Bartlett Room on Tuesday at 2:00.

This timely discussion took place just before PRIDE’s observance of the Day of Silence by hosting a silent lunch. Today, they ate their lunches together in silence to support our GLBT students, faculty, staff, friends and family members who may still feel they have to be silent at BCC or in our community.

At the CHILL session, with 15 attendees, Peg Cookson led students in a lively discussion around Berkshire County’s LGBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender) Community. Of those in attendance, Sociology Faculty Member Colin Adams, brought his human sexuality class. While students expressed wanting to explore more about coming out and self-awareness, a majority of students appreciated the informative discussion and opportunity to learn more about the challenges and strengths of the LGBT community here in our BCC and County-wide community.

Last Tuesday, the Service-Learning Club and Leaders held its first session of the CHILL series that takes place each semester. This semester’s series concentrates on exploring issues relating to diversity in our county. The series took off without a hitch, with a lively discussion on socio-economic status (class). Kim McMann shared her experiences living and working in our Berkshire community and answer questions from five students, one faculty and four staff. It was also attended by all four Service-Learning Student Leaders.

Next week, students will hear from Peg Cookson on Gender and Sexuality. All are welcome to attend, forum credit will be granted and light refreshments will be served.

Jade, Lisa and Janet prepare to teach the 6th graders about volunteerism and service-learning

Today, students from Herberg Middle School had the opportunity to attend college. Amongst the workshops offered to 200 sixth graders, Service-Learning provided an interactive game for students to learn about their peers’ previous experiences with volunteerism. Beyond this, they enjoyed the opportunity to learn about other potential adventures they can have volunteering in the community. This game, People Bingo, was a bingo board with a variety of opportunities in which students had to get the signatures of the adults and their peers that were in the room who had participated in the specific volunteer opportunities listed. It was also an exciting time for the Service-Learning Student Leaders to share their own experiences in the field. Between the poptarts and rice krispy treats, the kids seemed to really enjoy the lessons learned and shared. Service-Learning looks forward to next year’s round of students.

Students try to find out what activities in which their peers have participated

Kelly Summers is participating in Service-Learning as a tutor at Crosby Elementary School. She is serving to meet requirements of her Human Growth and Development Course. Here is a reflection that she sent our office on her first week of service:

I’m giving extra support to kids in math and doing letter sounds. I have been working mainly with one girl and what I have
noticed so far is that she is getting her letter and numbers mixed up so that is going to be my focus with her. The whole class knows my name, they know when I am going to be there and for how long.

Today when I entered the room everyone jumped up to say “hello” then the whole class was asking the teacher if they can sit at my table to get some extra help. The teacher is pretty fair and she does let one or two of the students to sit with me which is fine with me because I feel the children can always learn from each other or get support from other students.

Today, the story I want to share with the BCC community highlights one little boy in particular. Upon my arrival this morning, he came over to my table and said, “I’m seven years old, and I have a brother who is seventeen years old and he has taught me everything about the world so, you see I don’t need to sit at your table to learn.”

Upon hearing this, I responded: “Wow, you are so lucky to have a brother to teach you [about] the world, because I don’t even know that.”

The boy just had a big smile on this face.

I continued:  “You still can sit at my table and color if you would like.”

The boy smiled, saying “Well, I guess I can do that.”

Wow!! How funny is that interaction? I have to say that little boy made my day! It is great to know the power and influence of older person that has on a child is truly amazing.