Academic Advising and Coaching
Register for Spring 2026 Classes
Important: Registration for certificate- and degree-seeking students is going on now!
- Current, Readmit, and New Students: Contact the One Stop Enrollment Center at onestop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660
to schedule your advising and registration appointment.
Upcoming Registration Dates:
- Non-degree students: Dec. 15, 2025
- Contact the One Stop Enrollment Center at onestop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660
to schedule a registration appointment or review the registration process.
- Bridge to College students: Dec. 15, 2025
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The Academic Advising and Coaching team is dedicated to supporting you, taking into
consideration all aspects of your life as you pursue your path to academic success.
We'll work with you from day one to clarify your academic and career goals; review
your academic program requirements and develop an academic plan; navigate the complex
work/life/school balance; connect you with the resources to help you succeed; overcome
possible barriers to your success; and plan for life beyond BCC.
What are the benefits of working with my advisor and coach?
- Individualized support in creating academic and career goals and developing an action
plan to achieve those goals
- Increased understanding of your program requirements and how to meet those requirements
in a way that best complements your life
- Opportunities to explore and develop your interests, goals, and success strategies
- Increased confidence in your own success
- Establishing connections with multiple offices across BCC to navigate barriers and
increase your success
- Learning about the opportunities available to you beyond BCC
Advising and Registration Appointment Request
New to BCC or returning after some time away? Complete the form below to request an
appointment with an advisor. A member of the Academic Advising and Coaching team will
contact you to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!
Advising and Registration Request Form
Upcoming Workshops/Events
Common Questions
-
How do I register for classes?
New Students:
Once you've applied and been accepted, complete the Advising and Registration Appointment
Request (above) or call the One Stop Enrollment Center at 413-499-4660 to schedule
a New Student Advising and Registration appointment.
Re-Admit Students:
If you are returning to BCC after some time away, re-apply to BCC and complete the Advising and Registration Appointment Request (above) or call the
One Stop Enrollment Center at 413-499-4660 to schedule an advising and registration
appointment.
Current Students:
You should meet with your assigned advisor before registration opens to plan the courses
you need for the coming semester. On the first day of registration, you may register
for classes through your Self-Service account.
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Who is my academic advisor?
-
Log into MyBCC
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Find the Advisors Card in the MyBCC portal. Use the Discover More button if the Advisors
Card is not loaded on your landing page.
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The Advisors Card will display the name of your assigned academic advisor.
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How do I change my program of study?
Visit the One Stop Enrollment Center to meet with an academic advisor who will review
the new program requirements and complete the appropriate paperwork.
-
Will my credits from another college transfer to BCC?
When completing the application process, submit your official transcripts to the BCC
Admissions Office for evaluation.
Courses completed at regionally accredited institutions with a "C" or better will
transfer to BCC.
For questions, contact the One Stop Enrollment Center at 413-499-4660.
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How do I withdraw from a course/the College?
After the add/drop period, we move into the withdrawal period. You should consult
the Academic Calendar on the Registrar webpage for the withdrawal deadline each semester.
To withdraw from a course or the College, follow the prompts in your Self-Service
account under Student Planning > Go to Plan and Schedule.
After the Add/Drop deadline and through the Last Day for Course Withdrawals you will
receive a grade of "W" for the course on your academic transcript. A withdrawal grade
of "W" has no impact on the calculation of your GPA. After the withdrawal date, it
is not possible to withdraw from a course and your instructor must assign you a final
grade.
You are strongly encouraged to meet with your advisor and Student Financial Services
to review the impact of a withdrawal on your acdemic plan and to discuss the Withdrawal Refund and Financial Aid Policy .
Meet the Academic Advising and Coaching Staff
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Staff bios
Shelly Armstrong
Student Advising Coordinator
Shelly provides leadership for our early alert/progress report system working to identify
students needing additional support in the early weeks of the semester. She also works
with students on academic probation to create a plan to return to good academic standing.
While able to advise any of the programs at BCC, Shelly specializes in Business and
serves as the liaison for the Science & Business Division. Shelly has a Bachelors
in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Social Work and Masters in Education
from MCLA. She has previously served as BCC's College and Career Navigator and Academic
Counselor. She is a mother to five adult children, and in her spare time enjoys walking
her two rottweilers and spending time with her grandchildren.
Sarah Burdick (she/her)
Academic and Career Counselor
Sarah Burdick is an Academic and Career Counselor. She earned her bachelor's degree
from MCLA majoring in Psychology. Sarah is certified as an Out Alliance Safe Zone
Trainer and has prior experience in academic coaching/advising, multicultural affairs,
and student records. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and her
two pets, a cat and a dog.
Dana Buxton (she/her)
Academic SUCCESS Coach
Dana Buxton is the Academic SUCCESS Coach for the Disabilities Resource Center. She
came to BCC with more than 15 years of experience supporting diverse populations to
heal, grow, and achieve their life goals. She received her undergraduate degree in
Psychology from Stanford University and her master's degree in Psychology, with a
focus in Ecopsycholgy, from Antioch University Seattle. Originally from Texas, she
loves the natural beauty of the Berkshires and is an avid birder.
Lauri Byrnes
Administrative Assistant
Lauri Byrnes is the first point of contact for students, and she coordinates the day-to-day
functions of Academic Advising and Coaching. Her previous experience at BCC in the
Enrollment Services and Financial Aid Offices ensures Lauri is well-versed in many
of the One Stop functions. She is able to triage a number of initial advising inquiries
and schedule appointments as appropriate. Lauri is a BCC alum graduating in 2017 with
an Associate's Degree in Human Services. She went on to receive an Associate of Applied
Science in Occupational Therapy from Maria College. Lauri uses this degree when volunteering
in an equine therapy program working with children and adults. She lives here in the
Berkshires and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and pets as much as possible.
Anne Erickson
Academic Counselor
Anne joined the Academic Advising and Coaching team in summer 2022 as an Academic
Counselor serving students in all academic programs. She is the advising liaison to
the Humanities, Behavioral, and Social Science Division. Anne taught college English
and Student Success courses for several decades. Firmly believing in lifelong learning,
after earning degrees in English (BA degree from Fairfield University, MA and PhD
from Purdue), she attained additional graduate degrees in Education (Curriculum),
Public Administration, Public Communications and Higher Education Student Services.
She relocated to the Berkshires from southern Jersey, and has also called Indiana,
Connecticut and Cape Cod home. In her spare time, she enjoys cross-stitching and mysteries,
and watching her six amazing children and husband create theater.
Lyndsay Isham-Morton
Director of Advising and Coaching
Lyndsay was named Director of Academic and Transfer Advising in October 2022 and assumed
leadership of Academic Coaching in August 2023 after serving as both an Academic Counselor
and Student Advising Coordinator at BCC. She provides leadership and oversight of
academic and transfer advising and academic coaching and partners with faculty and
staff to continuously improve the support services we offer. Well-versed in BCC's
advising software, Lyndsay offers workshops for faculty, staff, and students on how
to make the most of our technology. As a first-generation college student, she loves
helping students understand how to navigate their college experience and make the
most of their time at BCC. Lyndsay earned her BA in Political Science from William
Smith College and her MA in counseling from Johnson State College. Originally from
Vermont, she now lives in Pittsfield with her family and is at home on the sidelines
of the softball field watching her girls play the sport they love.
Cheryl Mirer (she/her)
Academic Counselor
Cheryl Mirer came to BCC with over 25 years experience in a variety of fields including
teaching, fundraising, event planning, leading small non-profit organizations, and
higher education. Cheryl grew up in Burlington, CT and earned a Bachelor of Fine Art
and Art History at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master of Science
in Arts Administration at Boston University. Cheryl is a painter, printmaker, and
mixed media artist and serves on the board of the Berkshire Art Center. Cheryl loves
dogs, hiking, yoga, gardening, cooking and helping others. She is passionate about
the Berkshire community and wishes to make a difference in people’s lives.
Eric Nystrom (he/his)
Academic Counselor
Eric earned his bachelor's degree from Nichols College majoring in psychology. He
continued his studies at Springfield College where he received a master's degree in
Counseling Psychology, specializing in student personnel in higher education. He has
served at BCC in a variety of roles since 2005. He is also a Certified Strength and
Conditioning Coach.
Sean Reagan
Academic Counselor: Allied Health
Sean serves as an Academic Counselor working primarily with students in our pre-Nursing,
pre-LPN, and Allied Health programs. He assists students in understanding the admission
requirements for these specialized programs and helps to create academic plans to
prepare students for matriculation. Well-versed in the Massachusetts community college
setting, Sean taught English for many years at Holyoke Community College. Early in
his career at HCC, he served an Academic Advisor assisting students with academic
planning, choosing and selecting majors, and developing student success skills. He
has also worked as a Freelance Writer for a number of local and national magazines
and newspapers. Sean holds a BA from St. Michael's College, a JD from Western New
England University of Law, and an MFA from Goddard College. Originally from Vermont,
Sean now lives in the Berkshires with his family.
Geoff Tabor
Coordinator of Transfer Affairs and Articulation
Geoff guides students through the process of transferring to four-year colleges/universities.
He also collaborates with transfer institutions to ensure BCC's credits will be accepted
upon transfer. Geoff serves as the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Advisor; PTK is the International
Honor Society for two-year colleges. He also advises students in the Psychology program
and is an Adjunct Faculty in Psychology. Geoff earned his Bachelor of Science in Social
Work from the University of Dayton and his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration
from Miami University. He has worked in higher education in a variety of capacities
for over 35 years and is a passionate Ohio State fan — Go Bucks!
Tammy Westlake
Nursing Advising and Enrollment Coordinator
Tammy coordinates advising for nursing students and oversees the matriculation processes
for all of BCC's nursing programs. In this capacity, she collaborates a great deal
with the Nursing Division and also maintains a caseload of advisees, specifically
bridge students (LPN to ADN candidates). She has worked at BCC since 2012 and previously
served as a part-time academic advisor, full-time academic counselor, and an adjunct
faculty member teaching BCC 101, a student success seminar. Prior to joining BCC,
she worked at Le Moyne College in several capacities including academic advisor, co-director
of global education, coordinator of academic initiatives and instructor of a first
year seminar course for undeclared students. She previously worked as a graduate assistant
student advisor in the School of Education and co-instructor of the Education Freshman
Forum at Syracuse University. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Speech Communications
with a minor in Health Science from the State University of New York at Potsdam, a
teaching credential in Cross-Cultural Languages and Academic Development (CLAD) at
California State University San Marcos and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration
from Syracuse University. She resides in Dalton with her husband, two older teenage
sons, and their Great Pyrenees dog. Her greatest passion is spending time with her
family, especially her boys as they keep her quite busy with crew (rowing) and their
other interests.
