HIGHER ED TODAY
ACADEMIC LEADERS OFFER ADVICE TO COLLEGE APPLICANTS
April 1, 2021 // By Anastasia Stanmeyer
WITH SPRINGTIME upon us, many high school seniors already are looking to what lies ahead. But what’s ahead isn’t so clear. Berkshire Magazine reached out to college presidents in the region to give advice to the soon-to-be graduates and their parents. What we were told was a welcome surprise. For one thing, tertiary educational opportunities have adapted and expanded with the times. Although each institution remains distinctive, their students share similar qualities— curiosity, creativity, open-mindedness, and determination. Colleges are listening and encouraging, adding new courses and degrees, building new facilities, and repurposing older ones, to meet the growing interests of their student bodies.
Top Row: Roy H. Saigo, Westfield State / Ellen Kennedy, Berkshire Community College / Maud Mandel, Williams College / John B. Weinstein, Bard College at Simon’s Rock
Bottom Row: Kumble Subbaswamy, UMass Amherst / Laura Walker, Bennington College / James F. “Jaimie” Birge, MCLA
“Follow your passions, whatever they are,” advises Williams College President Maud Mandel to the next wave of freshmen. “Ask questions. Practice expressing yourself, in whatever form that may be. Challenge ideas, challenge assumptions, challenge yourself. Ask for help when you need it.”
Mandel’s advice is echoed by her counterparts at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Berkshire Community College (BCC), Bennington College, UMass Amherst, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), and Westfield State University. They encourage students to demonstrate a love of learning, a curiosity and willingness to take charge of their education. Inquisitiveness, grit, innovation, perseverance, and bucking tradition are all honorable attributes.
We want to know more. We want to know what our area colleges have to offer these new students—these visionaries and future leaders, our hope for a better tomorrow. So—we asked them how they are relevant today.
1. What sets your college/ university apart from others?
Bard College at Simon’s Rock Provost and Vice President John B. Weinstein:
We are the only college in the country specifically designed for students who want to enter college after the 10th or 11th grade. Students are at the center of our mission—we pride ourselves on our tight-knit community and the close relationships between students, faculty, and staff. Our students take leading roles on and off campus, and their voice matters greatly. We are also known for our challenging liberal arts and sciences curriculum taught exclusively in small seminar-style classes.
Bennington College President Laura Walker:
Every student designs their own course of study in close collaboration with faculty advisors—we call that individualized path “The Plan.” Over the course of their time here, students refine and tweak their Plan to reflect their intellectual growth and ambitions. Central to this process is something we call “Field Work Term,” a fully immersive, multi-week annual internship that every student takes to get hands-on experience in the world. By the time they graduate, Bennington students have a sophisticated understanding of their professional goals and a resumé of meaningful work experience.
Berkshire Community College (BCC) President Ellen Kennedy:
Outside of being the first community college in the Commonwealth and being known for its qualities of creating a welcoming sense of community for its students, BCC is best known for making higher education accessible to ALL residents of Berkshire County and beyond. A majority of BCC graduates work in our community every day as nurses and human services providers, early childhood educators, engineers, chefs, police officers, and many more professions.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) President James F. “Jaimie” Birge:
The guidance, mentoring, and advising that MCLA faculty provide for our students is exceptional. That commitment from our faculty is palpable on campus— people feel it when they are here.
UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy:
Our core values—dedication to creativity, innovation, opportunity and the pursuit of progress—drive our community to “Be Revolutionary.” UMass Amherst is among the best public research universities in the country, ranked No. 26 by U.S. News and World Report. As the Commonwealth’s flagship campus, we are distinguished by the excellence and breadth of our academic, research, and community outreach programs, and the extraordinary opportunities that they provide to our students.
Westfield State Interim President Roy H. Saigo:
We have a strong foundation in the liberal arts and several large and successful professional programs. Our university is large enough to support a wide variety of choices, yet small enough to create a community of support so that each student can create lasting relationships with faculty and staff. We continue to be ranked a “best value” public university among our peers, successfully combining quality and affordability. In comparison to Massachusetts’ comprehensive state universities, our students have higher retention and graduation rates—an indication of the long-lasting value of a degree from Westfield State.
Williams College President Maud Mandel:
Williams attracts world-class professors across 64 different areas of study who are excited about teaching small classes. Some of those classes, called tutorials, are limited to just two students. Students who attend Williams explore over 170 student organizations in a community of peers from 49 states and 95 countries who speak 71 languages and practice 46 religious traditions. We are committed to making Williams a place that every student can thrive and to ensuring that we meet 100 percent of every family’s financial need. Students also have access to large numbers of research opportunities, robust career exploration services, and access to the oldest alumni association in the U.S.
2. What programs are you most excited about?
Simon’s Rock’s Weinstein:
As part of the Bard Network, we’re looking forward to building on our participation with and contribution to the Open Society University Network (OSUN), co-founded by Bard College and Central European University. OSUN is a global partnership of colleges and universities that integrates learning, research, and civic engagement across borders. The OSUN program brings together Simon’s Rock students and their peers from around the world, which is especially important during this period when both study abroad and travel have been limited for all students.
Bennington College’s Walker:
We recently launched a new suite of offerings for learners at every stage of their academic lives—from high school seniors to retired professionals. It includes a series of writing courses from Bennington’s acclaimed literature program (modeled after our successful low-residency MFA program), an exciting selection of social justice and public action courses, and the opportunity for anyone to take classes from Bennington core curricular offerings.
BCC’s Kennedy:
For 2021, BCC is excited about its reimagined Culinary and Hospitality programming that is tailored to meet the growing demand of Hospitality businesses across the Berkshires for a highly trained staff. Additionally, the college is launching a new Mechatronics program that will merge Mechanical Engineering and Electronics training and offer students a career path toward the design and operation on electromechanical systems with a focus on manufacturing technology. We are also excited to bring back the revised massage therapy program with a work-and-family friendly schedule. The Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences Division at the college is launching a new course called Introduction to Liberal Arts, which will help students explore their academic options, potential career paths, and their role as college students.
MCLA’s Birge:
Over the next year, MCLA will develop and/or implement an accounting track to the MBA program, a coding and programming degree completion program, and a fully online degree completion program. We also look forward to expanding our Masters in Education in Moderate Disabilities to Pittsfield and south county educators, and will offer an on-line Masters in Education degree, among other programs. We are currently exploring the development of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as well.
UMass Amherst’s Subbaswamy:
We are thrilled to see a noticeable uptick in applications for two majors in particular: Nursing and Public Health. This reflects our overall campus culture— we attract students dedicated to making the world a better place and serving others, even in professions so deeply challenged during the past year.
Westfield State’s Saigo:
Westfield State continues to offer the only public Physician Assistant Program in New England and we take great pride in our All-Steinway School designation and strong reputation for fine and performing arts housed in the university’s Dower Center.
Williams College’s Mandel:
We’re excited about completing construction of the new North Building of our Science Center, which will house new labs and learning spaces. In the next year, we plan to break ground on a three building complex for the Davis Center, which addresses complex issues of identity, history, and culture, and serves as the hub for a wide range of student affinity groups. We are also excited that the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans, whose homeland Williams College sits on, has, in partnership with the college, moved its Tribal Historic Preservation Extension office to Williamstown.
3. What fields are in the greatest demand? And what are students most interested in pursuing? Are they in sync?
Simon’s Rock’s Weinstein:
Our concentrations run the full gamut of the arts and sciences—popular ones range from psychology to biology and pre-engineering. We have several dual degree partnerships, including Columbia University and Dartmouth College Engineering Programs and the Vermont Law School Environmental Policy Program, which are also very popular. Another area of interest recently has been environmental and climate science (so much so that students started a new club on campus this semester). We often see our students’ interests intersecting with the courses we offer.
Kennedy:
The BCC Nursing Program, now ranked as one of the ten best nursing programs in the Commonwealth, is always in high demand. Beginning this spring, BCC will welcome a second unit of first-year nursing students into the ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program, in addition to the cohort that starts in the fall. This is in response to both the nursing shortage in the Berkshires and the interest of students to enter the nursing field. There is also a high demand for cannabis-related employment opportunities, which is why BCC launched the Cannabis Industry Certificate program, which enrolls quickly.
Bennington College’s Walker:
Bennington students have always been passionate about finding solutions to the greatest challenges of their time, and our course catalog reflects that. This past summer, we offered a cross-disciplinary pop-up that examined the scientific, historic, technological, and artistic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was wildly popular, and we will continue to provide students new and challenging opportunities to understand the world around us. Another area of high demand has been Bennington’s renowned MFA in Writing, the Bennington Writing Seminars.
MCLA’s Birge:
Among the fastest-growing fields, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are health professions programs. We also know there are demands for these professionals in our region. We have recently added programs in Health Science, Community Health Education, and Radiology, in which students have expressed interest.
UMass Amherst’s Subbaswamy:
Our most popular, and most competitive, majors are consistently Computer Science, Engineering, Nursing, and Management. However, in the past several years we have also seen significant growth in the number of applications for several STEM fields, such as Math, Biology, and Physics.
Westfield State’s Saigo:
Our most popular majors include business, communications, education, and criminal justice, but we are also known for our competitive nursing program. We realize the impact that we have on workforce development in Western Massachusetts and across the state, so our majors, minors, and internship opportunities reflect the changing needs of the job market and improve the likelihood of our graduates being hired locally and across the state.
Williams College’s Mandel:
Students enter Williams with a vast array of interests and have two full academic years to explore courses in any area before declaring their major. Even after sophomore year, students still have ample opportunity to take courses outside of their major each term. This flexibility is why approximately 40 percent of Williams students graduate as double majors. The majors with the largest number of students are Economics, Mathematics, Biology, English, Political Science, and Psychology.
4. Why is your region a great place to go to college? Who are some of your community partners in creating opportunities for students?
Simon’s Rock’s Weinstein:
The Berkshires have a wealth of cultural, professional, and experiential offerings that few other areas can offer. One semester, a student might take an internship on a farm, the next in an art gallery. Our region offers the best of both urban and rural learning environments. Over the years, our Simon’s Rock students have learned from, taken internships with, and worked alongside many local organizations.
Bennington College’s Walker:
Vermont is home to not only the most accessible and participatory government in the nation, but also a robust culture of community collaboration. The superlative leadership of our public health experts during the COVID-19 crisis, and cooperation at every level, is proof of this collaborative culture. Over the past decade, Bennington has made partnerships with local civic and nonprofit groups a top priority, which has strengthened the region and provided countless learning opportunities for our students. The land that Bennington College sits on was once a working farm, and we take seriously our responsibility to cultivate a sustainable relationship with the natural world and our cultural roots.
BCC’s Kennedy:
The Berkshires is a beautiful place to live, work and play. BCC exemplifies that tradition of rugged individualism so often seen throughout the county but mixed with our neighborly tendencies to reach out and support one another. BCC works with almost every community agency or organization throughout the county to align program outcomes; is proud to serve as a major educational partner for the Berkshire Innovation Center; and partners with MCLA to offer pipelines for its students to continue to succeed within the county after graduating from BCC.
MCLA’s Birge:
MCLA has had a long tradition of partnering with other organizations in our communities. Our emphasis on student internships has broadened that network of partners and includes Berkshire Health Systems, Adams Community Bank, Berkshire Bank, Lever, General Dynamics, among many others. We have partnerships with our friends and colleagues at Williams College and BCC. Our alumni and student interns serve the cultural organizations throughout Berkshire County including MASS MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, Jacob’s Pillow, Norman Rockwell Museum, Berkshire Museum, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Tanglewood, to name a few.
UMass Amherst’s Chancellor Subbaswamy:
Amherst is truly a fantastic college town. Hiking, biking, museums, music, theater, history, food, and farms—they’re all available in Amherst and our surrounding communities. Plus, we’re part of a local consortium of five nationally known colleges, which includes Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges. We work closely with town officials, the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, and the leaders of many nonprofits to create a vibrant environment.
Westfield State’s Saigo:
In addition to the beauty and diversity of Western Massachusetts Pioneer Valley, the region is rich with educational, industrial, and recreational opportunities. Westfield State’s early college program partners with area high schools to strengthen the college-going culture among LatinX, first-generation, and other underserved student populations to help them better visualize themselves as bachelor-degree candidates. It also offers a streamlined transfer process from Massachusetts community colleges and student-centered partnerships of study for individuals to complete bachelor’s, master’s or law degrees through specialized programs.
Williams College’s Mandel:
Williamstown, lovingly called “The Village Beautiful,” is nestled in a valley in the northern part of Berkshire County. Our location is a place where you can find both focus and connection. As Henry David Thoreau wrote about Williams, “It would be no small advantage if every college were thus located at the base of a mountain.” Through experiential courses, Winter Study courses, and our Center for Learning in Action, Williams students enjoy opportunities to intern, shadow, explore, worship, serve and learn throughout the region. Williams is proud to collaborate with a long list of partners to enrich both our local community and the Williams student experience.