Sarah Burdick joins BCC as an Academic SUCCESS/Career Coach for the SUCCESS Program. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from MCLA in 2018. Most recently, she worked as a Success Coach at MCLA to support first-year students' transition to college life. Additional prior experience includes residential life and professional development opportunities in academic advising and diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. She is also certified as an Out Alliance Safe Zone Trainer.
Dana Buxton joins BCC's SUCCESS team and Disability Resource Center as an Academic SUCCESS Coach. She comes to BCC with more than 15 years of experience supporting diverse populations, most recently working as part of the clinical team at Gould Farm. She received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Stanford University and a master's degree in Psychology, with a focus in Ecopsychology, from Antioch University Seattle. Originally from Texas, Buxton loves the natural beauty of the Berkshires and is an avid birder.
Liza Dister joins BCC as the Student Success Assessment and Research Analyst. She recently moved to the area from St. Louis, where she was the Assistant Director of the Faculty Development Center at Webster University. In her previous role, Dister oversaw assessment for the institution and also ran faculty development programming for engaged learning, inclusive teaching and teaching technology for student success. She has an academic background in cultural history (musicology) and previously taught music history and appreciation courses. Dister is excited to contribute to BCC’s support of student success, and she and her family are enjoying discovering all of the outdoor activities the surrounding community has to offer.
Laira Leta joins BCC's marketing team as Web Designer. Originally from central Virginia, Leta became a professional web developer in 2010 after learning how to code at James Madison University. Since graduation, she has held positions as web developer and graphic designer at a design studio; assistant web developer at an internet marketing agency; and, mostly recently, web developer and webmaster at a North Carolina community college, where she served for almost seven years.
Anthony Mazzeo joins BCC’s facilities in the Administration and Finance Division as a Maintainer I. Previously, he was a Massachusetts state employee for the Department of Conservation and Recreation as a Park and Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Laborer. His focus was on maintaining the grounds within the Pittsfield State Forest and trails throughout Berkshire County. Mazzeo enjoys the outdoors, fishing where he resides on Richmond Pond, mountain biking and spending time with family, fiancé Kristina and his golden retriever, Leo.
Tiffany Moreno joins BCC as Instructional Program Manager: Healthcare. With strong experience as a healthcare worker and administrator, she has worked since 2008 as a phlebotomist and has been a phlebotomy instructor at BCC since 2020. Moreno's background includes customer service, data verification, interviewing and training. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and has served as a medical translator in New York.
Aaron Oster joins BCC as Instructor Program Manager: Food, Culture and Local Economy. Beginning his career in 2000 washing dishes in New York City, Oster worked his way through some of the great restaurants in New York, eventually moving to Martha's Vineyard, where he worked with local farmers and seafood vendors to develop an "island only" menu. He then worked with a team to develop and run a butcher shop and steakhouse in Las Vegas. In 2016 Oster moved to the Berkshires and opened A-OK Berkshire BBQ in 2018. He serves as Vice President of the Board of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. A resident of Williamstown, Oster loves to play guitar, fly fish and ride motorcycles.
Noelle Pandell joins BCC as Assistant to the Vice President of Administration and Finance/Divisional Manager. Prior to joining BCC, she was the Executive Assistant for Elder Services of Berkshire County. Previous roles include working with Church Insurance Company in Bennington; Executive Assistant to the President and CEO at Northern Berkshire Healthcare; Staff Assistant to the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at MCLA; and Administrative Assistant to the Town Administrator in Adams. Pandell holds a bachelor of science degree in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Business Administration from Roger Williams University. She lives in Cheshire with her husband, Larry, and has two sons, Brad and Blaize. She loves spending time with her dogs, Sadie and Zeke.
Caterina (Kathie) Penna joins BCC as Director of Alumni Relations and Events. A former educator with a bachelor's degree in English and Education from Sacred Heart University, Penna has played an active role in the community through her professional work and extensive volunteerism. She spent the last four years as Operations Manager at Mill Town Capital and Framework Coworking and is eager to apply her passion for community building into her role at BCC. When not working, Penna enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Berkshire lakes, woods and mountains.
Savannah Stanley joins BCC as a Financial Aid Counselor in the Student Financial Services Office. She holds an associate degree in Business Administration from Pima Community College, a bachelor of science in Business Administration Commerce from the University of Arizona and a master of science in Logistics and Supply Chain from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. Most recently, she worked for FEMA as an Accountable Property Specialist, performing functions related to deployment operations. Previously, she worked as Operations Manager for a jewelry store. Hailing from southern Arizona, Stanley recently relocated to Pittsfield. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her partner, Jonah, and their three dogs.
Nicholas Kline, formerly Maintenance Equipment Operator, has been promoted to Building Maintenance Supervisor I in the Facilities Department, Administration and Finance Division. An employee of BCC since 2017, Kline received a bachelor of science in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2015 and an associate of science in Landscape Contracting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture in May 2013. He lives in Hinsdale with wife Caitlyn and German Shepard Remy.
