Academic Advising and Coaching

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 teenage sons, and their Great Pyrenees dog. Her greatest passion is spending time with her family and being a taxi-mom for her boys as they keep her quite busy with their sports and other interests.