NORTH ADAMS — Educators from across the region will gather at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) on July 6-8 for the Leadership Conference, the capstone of the Leadership Academy’s 2025 cohort and the kickoff for the incoming 2026 cohort.

The conference will open Monday, July 6 with a keynote address from Julie Haagenson, founder of New Pathways, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Murdock Hall. Scholar Robert Putnam will give the July 7 keynote, also 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Murdock Hall. Morning presentations will follow from Leslie Blake-Davis on July 7 and Matthew Bishop on July 8.

Concurrent sessions run July 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., led by members of the 2025 cohort. Presenters will share the research, strategies, and leadership practices they have built over the year.

Sessions will take on the issues schools face now: building inclusive communities, strengthening instructional leadership, improving operations, and supporting every student. They are organized around the four standards of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Professional Standards for Administrative Leadership: instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.

“The Leadership Conference is the culmination of a year of growth, collaboration, and commitment to educational excellence,” said Marianne Young, director of the Leadership Academy. “These presentations show the talent and dedication of current and aspiring school leaders working to create better outcomes for students, families, and communities across the region.”

The conference will run in a hybrid format, with sessions open on campus or remotely. Registration is encouraged by clicking here.

The Leadership Academy supports educators working to strengthen their leadership skills and lead effective, equitable, student-centered schools. The annual conference both celebrates the cohort’s work and gives educators a chance to learn alongside colleagues from across the region.

NORTH ADAMS — May 1 is the date when colleges and universities nationwide learn how many students have committed to enroll for the fall. For Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), the answer was the best it has been in five years. Deposits for the incoming class are up 20% over last year, marking the second consecutive year of enrollment growth.

That growth is happening against a backdrop where the college-age population is declining nationally. High-school graduation numbers in Berkshire County have been falling for years. Even so, MCLA has 94 deposits from the Berkshire region this cycle, up 29% from last year.

“I’m proud of the progress MCLA has made, and these enrollment numbers reflect the hard work of our faculty and staff to put students first,” said MCLA President James Birge, who will conclude his tenure this summer after more than a decade leading the institution. “As I prepare to conclude my time here, I’m confident the college is well-positioned for continued success in the years ahead.”

The growth reflects a deliberate shift in how MCLA approaches recruitment. Rather than casting a wide net, the college focused on reaching the right-fit students more often and more authentically, a strategy built for a generation that grew up digitally with handheld devices.

MCLA rewrote its top-level website pages to speak directly to students and families in plain, accessible language. The site now features dozens of videos of students talking about their experience in their own words, unscripted. On social media, the college shifted from polished announcements to student-focused content that shows what campus actually feels like day to day.

Program-level demand is also driving the numbers. Nursing deposits have jumped from 13 to 30, more than doubling compared to last year. Psychology is close behind, up from 12 to 18, a 50% increase. Both programs reflect students’ growing focus on careers in health and human services.

This summer, MCLA will continue to receive deposits from Hampshire College and Anna Maria College transfer students. As the college reviews and accepts those applications, enrollment is expected to climb further.

NORTH ADAMS — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) President James Birge; North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey; MCLA students, faculty, and staff; and state and local officials to announce $1.2 million in federal funding for the MCLA Early Education Center. This allocation was made possible through congressionally directed spending from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Neal included funding for this project in the FY 2026 spending bill.

“I am delighted to join with President Birge and the MCLA community to announce funding for the establishment of a new Early Education Center. This investment will deliver tangible results across the board: allowing parents to go to work, ensuring our children have access to a strong educational foundation, and providing hands-on training for our future workforce,” Neal said.

“Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential to working families and strengthening our workforce,” he added. “That is why, as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, I helped enact the largest investment in childcare in our nation’s history. With announcements like the one today, we are continuing to build on our progress in removing barriers to workforce participation, while giving our children the tools they need to achieve their potential.”

The Early Education Center will provide a space that meets the needs of working families throughout North County, while creating workforce development opportunities for students pursuing careers in early education.

“For the families who depend on these programs and the educators who make them possible, this is a meaningful and lasting commitment, Birge said. “MCLA is proud to be the home for this work, and we are grateful to Congressman Neal for making it happen.”

These funds will allow MCLA to renovate its Church Street Center into a high-quality facility that provides dedicated space for early education partners throughout North County. This space will provide a learning lab for students and childcare services for the campus and local community, benefiting a minimum of 30 families and reinstating 12 to 15 early childhood educator/staff positions.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has been selected to join a national cohort of more than 35 colleges and universities participating in Advancing Student Success: Strategic Prioritization for Student Success, an initiative led by the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education, in partnership with the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and supported by the Gates Foundation.

Participation gives MCLA access to a structured, evidence-based process designed to help campus leaders set priorities, strengthen academic pathways, and improve student learning, persistence, and completion.

“Being selected for this initiative reflects our deep commitment to building stronger, clearer, and more equitable pathways for our students,” MCLA President James Birge said. “We look forward to the insights this process will bring and to the meaningful improvements it will help us make across the institution, from how we support students in their first year to how we help them cross the finish line.”

As part of the initiative, institutions receive customized reports, facilitated sense-making sessions, a strategic prioritization plan, and an implementation roadmap aligned with the Gardner Institute’s Six Transformation Principles.

“My Gardner Institute colleagues and I are honored and excited to partner with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges in this important work,” said Andrew Koch, CEO of the Gardner Institute.

“Our experience — supported by external evaluation of our work — shows that programs, while necessary, are not enough on their own to produce lasting gains in student learning and success,” he added. “Institutions make the greatest progress when they develop and implement a comprehensive plan for student success. This effort will help MCLA bring together strong, existing work into a more coherent whole, informed by the Institutional Transformation Assessment and the collective wisdom and contextual knowledge of its faculty and staff.”

The initiative is delivered in partnership with the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, which serves as a key partner in advancing and supporting this work.

“Institutions like Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are demonstrating strong leadership by engaging in work that directly strengthens student learning and completion,” said Jeanine Went, executive director of COPLAC. “It is inspiring to see so many institutions take intentional steps to improve outcomes across higher education, and we are deeply pleased to partner with the Gardner Institute to make this possible for our colleges and universities.”

NORTH ADAMS — MOSAIC at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will present “Tell Me What You Learned Tuesday,” written and performed by Tom Truss and co-created and directed by Amy Brentano, on Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. at 49 Main St. in North Adams.

“Tell Me What You Learned Tuesday” is an irreverent, reverential story that revisits a young, queer boy’s life through the lens of his adult self. Truss dives into family, hopes, sex, and the complexities of growing up queer as he brings to life the Johnsons — a wacky, troubled family of eight. Through a potent mix of physical theater, props, dance, and monologues, Truss plays all eight of the Johnsons while deftly unpacking their treasures and tragedies around their dining room table.

“I got tired of creating performances about my own life, so I let my psyche run wild,” Truss said. “What came out is a dark comedy that sheds light on a troubled suburban family, and then gets even darker.”

Born from four years of improvisational work, pandemic casualties, and eight literal suitcases, “Tell Me What You Learned Tuesday” is an odyssey of relationships and all their detritus. As the Johnson matriarch puts it in her thick southern drawl, “some people say you carry all that stuff with you — your hate, your frustration, your baggage — until you unpack it. But I’m happy to say I am not one of those people. I believe you can leave it all behind and turn yourself into whatever you want.”

Admission is free and open to the public. The content of the performance is appropriate for those 18 and older.

NORTH ADAMS — Students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) recently completed their eighth year of free tax preparation services for area residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, returning $188,404 in refunds directly to community members during the 2026 tax season.

Nine MCLA students participated as interns, completing 155 federal returns and 199 state returns for individuals with an average adjusted gross income of approximately $31,000. Combined federal and state refunds totaled $188,404, and students also facilitated $48,833 in collections for federal and state taxing agencies. In total, they contributed 552 hours of direct community service, not including training or classroom time.

“They earn college credit, all while volunteering in our community, and build a sense of belonging, confidence, and soft skills that will serve them throughout their college and professional careers,” said Tara Barboza, associate professor of Accounting and VITA program director.

For Troy Michalak, a senior completing a concentration in accounting, VITA offered something that extended well beyond technical training. “A lot of CPAs don’t necessarily sit down with their clients anymore, and the clients were so happy that we did,” he said. “I felt very much like I was contributing to Northern Berkshire County.”

The experience has also proved professionally formative. Michalak now interns at Adelson and Company and credits VITA as a meaningful factor in that outcome. “If you have VITA on your résumé, the employer will realize the student already has experience doing taxes for a whole tax season,” he said. “Plus, you are showing you care about your clients and your community.”

Client feedback bore that out. Of 102 anonymous surveys collected, students earned an average 4.9 out of 5.0 rating across six service categories and a perfect score of 5.0 in overall satisfaction.

Since launching in 2018, the VITA program has completed 1,039 federal returns and returned more than $1.19 million in refunds to the community, while creating 60 student internship placements. The program has run every year except 2021.

VITA is a federally supported initiative providing free tax preparation to individuals who generally earn $67,000 or less. At MCLA, the program integrates directly into accounting coursework, connecting academic learning to measurable community benefit.

NORTH ADAMS — The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) board of trustees voted on Thursday to select Diana Rogers-Adkinson as the institution’s 13th president, pending approval by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

Rogers-Adkinson will succeed President James Birge, who announced his retirement after more than a decade of leadership at MCLA.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rogers-Adkinson to the MCLA community,” said Buffy Lord, chair of the MCLA board of trustees. “This was a rigorous and far-reaching search, and it was clear throughout the process that Dr. Rogers-Adkinson brings exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to public liberal arts education that will serve our students and this institution well. We are grateful to everyone in our community who participated, and we look forward to this next chapter for MCLA.”

The selection follows a national search conducted in partnership with WittKieffer, a leading executive search firm in higher education. The process included campus visits by four finalists, each of whom participated in open community sessions that welcomed input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. The search was designed to be thorough, transparent, and reflective of the values and aspirations of the MCLA community.

Rogers-Adkinson currently serves as senior vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and chief academic officer for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), where she provides system-level leadership for 10 universities serving approximately 80,000 students. A tenured professor and published scholar, she holds a PhD from Kent State University and brings a distinguished record in academic leadership, fiscal stewardship, and a deep commitment to equity and access in public higher education.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host the final presentation of its 2025-26 Green Living Seminar Series on Wednesday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121. The presentation is free and open to the public and will be recorded and available at mcla.edu/greenliving.

Nicolas Howe, Professor of Environmental Studies at Williams College, will present “Thinking Like a River: What Restoration Restores.” Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in river restoration communities in New England and the U.K., Howe will explore how practitioners, activists, and artists are reimagining rivers not as hydrological systems to be engineered, but as living, thinking beings with spiritual power, moral weight, and cultural identity. The talk will move between the philosophy and anthropology of ecological restoration, asking what it means to restore not just the physical form or ecological integrity of a river, but its mind and spirit.

Howe is the author of Landscapes of the Secular: Law, Religion, and American Sacred Space and co-author of Climate Change as Social Drama: Global Warming in the Public Sphere. Trained as a human geographer, he studies the cultural dimensions of environmental thought and action.

MCLA’s Green Living Seminar Series brings environmental experts, scholars, and practitioners to campus throughout the academic year to engage students and community members in conversations about sustainability, ecology, and our relationship with the natural world.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host the Massachusetts Region I Middle School Science Fair on Wednesday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. The event is open to community members who wish to attend.

The event brings together approximately 110 middle school students from across the region to showcase their original research projects. Seven schools are participating this year: BART Charter School, Hoosac Valley Middle School, St. Agnes School, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion School, Greenfield Middle School, Drury Middle School, and John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Students will present approximately 50 projects across five STEM categories: biology, chemistry, physics and engineering, environmental science, and behavioral and social science. Projects will be evaluated by a panel of approximately 30 judges, including MCLA faculty, staff, and students, as well as representatives from McCann Technical High School, Berkshire Museum, Flying Cloud, Fuss and O’Neill, and Williams College.

“Participation in the middle school science fair introduces students to the practice of scientific research, and gives us a chance to celebrate their work,” said Ann Billetz, professor of Biology. “It also gives students the opportunity to spend the day on a college campus and interact with faculty, undergraduate students, and STEM mentors.”

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced four finalists for the position of president, following a national search. The finalists were selected by the MCLA presidential search committee and will participate in on-campus visits scheduled for the weeks of April 6 and April 13.

The four finalists are David Jenemann, Michael Middleton, Sherri Givens Mylott, and Diana Rogers-Adkinson.

Jenemann is dean of the Patrick Leahy Honors College and professor of English and Film and Television Studies at the University of Vermont, where he oversees recruitment, retention, curricular innovation, and advancement for an interdisciplinary college serving undergraduates from across the university, including UVM’s campus-wide Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research.

Middleton serves as provost and vice president for Teaching, Learning, and Growth at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he provides strategic leadership for academic programs, faculty development, and institutional planning centered on inclusive excellence and student success.

Givens Mylott serves as vice president of University Advancement at the University of La Verne, a private, Hispanic-serving institution, and as adjunct faculty in the LaFetra College of Education, where she teaches doctoral-level courses on leadership ethics.

Rogers-Adkinson currently serves as senior vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and chief academic officer for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, providing system-level leadership for 10 universities serving approximately 80,000 students.

Each finalist will participate in open campus forums and meetings with students, faculty, staff, and community members. The board of trustees will take up the recommendation at a public meeting on Thursday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. in M218. The appointment will then require approval by the Department of Higher Education. MCLA remains on track for a July 2026 start date.

“The presidential search committee is proud to present four exceptional finalists who each bring a distinctive vision and a deep commitment to the values that define MCLA,” said Brenda Burdick, co-chair of the presidential search committee. “This has been a truly collaborative effort, reflecting the best of who we are as an institution, and we are grateful to the many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who engaged so thoughtfully in this process.”

Yvonne Spicer, co-chair of the presidential search committee, added that “we designed this search to be as open and inclusive as possible, and the response from our campus community has been tremendous. MCLA is at an exciting moment in its history, and these finalists are more than ready to meet it. I encourage everyone to attend the open forums, meet the finalists, and share their feedback. Your voices matter in this decision.”

The presidential search was launched following the announcement of President James Birge’s retirement after approximately 10 years of service to MCLA. The presidential search committee is composed of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners. The search was supported by executive search firm WittKieffer.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host a free community presentation, “Know Your Rights,” on Monday, April 6 at 5 p.m. at the Church Street Center Social Hall in North Adams. The event will also be available to attend virtually via Zoom.

The presentation will be led by Jessica David, staff attorney at Central West Justice Center, and is designed to provide community members with practical, accessible information about immigration law and their legal rights.

Topics covered will include a general overview of the U.S. immigration process, current immigration enforcement policies and practices, and guidance on how both immigrants and bystanders can navigate interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Attendees will learn about their rights in a range of situations, including what questions they are legally required to answer, when ICE may enter a home, what to do if detained, and how bystanders can respond lawfully to immigration enforcement activity in Massachusetts. Information on where to access immigration legal services in the Berkshires will also be provided. All information presented is general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.

This event is free and open to the public. To join virtually, click here (meeting ID: 897 4335 8569; passcode: 877351).

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the MCLA Alumni Assoc. will host an alumni author panel on Saturday, April 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the college’s Church Street Center.

Fifteen alumni authors will speak about their writing process and participate in a Q&A with the audience. Afterward, they’ll sell and sign copies of their books. Participating authors scheduled to attend include: Tabatha Beshears ’07, Josh Bruchbacher, Sandra Byrnes ’95, Rob Campbell ’90, Rachel Crawford ’09, Tom Donahue ’91, Claire Hall ’77, Rosemary Jette ’75, Lorinda Kalajian ’20, Carl Lambert ’98, Luna McNamara ’12, Lynn Melchiori ’01, Theresa Radley ’07, Tom Rimer ’06, and Warren Roaf ’77.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of Alumni Spring Weekend. Visit alumni.mcla.edu for the full schedule of events. For more information, contact Doreen Kleinman, director of Constituent Engagement, at [email protected] or (413) 662-5224.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host the next installment of its Green Living Seminar Series on Wednesday, April 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121. The presentation is free and open to the public and will be recorded and available at mcla.edu/greenliving.

Rev. Jim Antal, author of Climate Church, Climate World, will present “How the Church Can Engage with the Urgent Moral Crisis of Climate Change.” The talk will explore the history of the church’s ecological concern, the shifts needed for religious leaders to harness the power of faith to restore the natural world, and how congregations can remain political without becoming partisan. Antal will also address how communities of faith can respond to the rise of Christian nationalism, the importance of proclaiming truth in the face of climate denial, and how individuals and institutions can embrace grief, acknowledge discontinuity, and accept their vocation in this moment.

Antal serves as special advisor on Climate Justice to the head of the United Church of Christ (UCC). During his tenure leading the 350 UCC churches in Massachusetts, he has preached on the climate crisis in more than 400 settings.

MCLA’s Green Living Seminar Series brings environmental experts, scholars, and practitioners to campus throughout the academic year to engage students and community members in conversations about sustainability, ecology, and their relationship with the natural world.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host virtual information sessions for individuals interested in advancing their careers through MCLA’s graduate programs. The sessions will provide prospective students with an opportunity to explore MCLA’s master of business administration (MBA), master of education (MEd), and Leadership Academy programs; learn about the application process; and connect with faculty and admissions staff.

The session schedule is as follows:

• Leadership Academy: Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. (virtual or in-person); Wednesday, March 18, 4:30 p.m. (virtual), Tuesday, March 24, 7 p.m. (virtual).

• MEd: Tuesday, March 24, 5 p.m. (virtual).

• MBA: Tuesday, March 24, 6 p.m. (virtual).

MCLA will waive the application fee for anyone attending an information session or submitting an application during the application fee waiver week. Those weeks are March 15-21 for Leadership Academy, April 5-11 for MBA, and May 3-9 for MEd.

MCLA’s MBA program is designed for working professionals looking to expand their business expertise and leadership skills. With a focus on strategic management, finance, marketing, and organizational leadership, the MBA program prepares graduates for roles in a variety of industries, from corporate settings to nonprofit organizations. The flexible structure allows students to balance their studies with their professional and personal commitments.

The MEd program at MCLA supports current and aspiring educators in deepening their knowledge of instructional strategies, curriculum development, and educational leadership. The program provides pathways for teachers seeking professional licensure, leadership roles in education, and expertise in specialized fields such as special education or curriculum design.

The Leadership Academy is ideal for educators and professionals seeking administrative roles in schools or other organizations. This program focuses on leadership theory, policy development, and real-world applications in educational leadership, preparing students for positions such as principals, superintendents, and program directors.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore financial aid options, and gain insights into how MCLA’s graduate programs can support their career aspirations.

To register for a session, click here or contact the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education at [email protected] or (413) 662-5575.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will welcome Russell Powell, research associate at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, as part of its Green Living Seminar Series on Wednesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121.

Powell will present “Emerson’s Transcendentalism and Ecology: Politics Beyond Cynicism.” His talk will explore Ralph Waldo Emerson’s shifting concept of nature across the early and middle parts of his career, from the publication of his first book, Nature, through his second series of Essays in 1844, as key to understanding how he overcame the temptation of political cynicism. Given the strong draw of cynicism in today’s fraught political climate, Powell argues that Emerson’s passage from despair to hope is particularly instructive in seeking paths forward amid multiple ecological crises.

Powell leads a research initiative on transcendentalism at the Center for the Study of World Religions and is currently completing a manuscript on the relevance of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s thinking for environmental ethics and politics. His research focuses on the religious, ethical, and political resonances of contemporary environmental issues, particularly the religious dimension of American environmental thought.

MCLA’s Green Living Seminar Series brings environmental experts, scholars, and practitioners to campus throughout the academic year to engage students and community members in conversations about sustainability, ecology, and people’s relationship with the natural world. All presentations will be recorded as podcasts available at mcla.edu/greenliving. The event is free and open to the public.

NORTH ADAMS — Wahieñhawi “Hawi” Hall, assistant director of Counseling and Psychological Services and Community Liaison for Indigenous Students at Cornell Health, will present “Nature, Well-being, and Indigenous Perspectives on the Interconnectedness of People and Creation” as part of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ Green Living Seminar Series on Wednesday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m.

An Indigenous Mohawk and Cherokee woman raised within the Onondaga Nation in New York, Hall will share Haudenosaunee perspectives on nurturing relationships with the natural world through reciprocity, interdependence, and stewardship. Her presentation will explore what the Haudenosaunee have identified as their ‘original instructions’ regarding the role of Indigenous peoples as part of creation, and offer insights into adopting a practice of thanksgiving.

Hall, a licensed clinical social worker, combines her deep cultural connections and lived experiences within an Indigenous community with her professional expertise as a mental health provider. She is committed to promoting decolonization in systems, equity, and inclusion for historically marginalized groups. Central to her work is the foundational belief that one’s relationship to the natural world is one of reciprocity, interdependence, and stewardship.

The presentation will be delivered remotely, with in-person viewing at MCLA. The event is free and open to the public.

MCLA’s Green Living Seminar Series brings environmental experts to campus throughout the academic year to engage students and community members in conversations about sustainability, climate change, and ecological responsibility. All presentations take place Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121, and will be recorded as podcasts available at mcla.edu/greenliving. For more information, contact Elena Traister at [email protected] or (413) 662-5303.

NORTH ADAMS — Bonney Hartley, tribal historic preservation manager for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, will present “Tribal Historic Preservation in the Stockbridge-Munsee Ancestral Homeland” as part of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) Green Living Seminar Series on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Hartley’s presentation will discuss the community’s ongoing work to protect Mohican and Munsee cultural sites and repatriate sacred items and ancestral remains. She will highlight landmark achievements, including the 2021 return of Papscanee Island, a 156-acre nature preserve along the Hudson River that served as the center of Mohican life for thousands of years, and the 2024 acquisition of 372 acres at Monument Mountain in the Berkshires, returning ancestral homelands to tribal stewardship.

For 10 years, Hartley has served the historic preservation interests of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community from an extension office in the tribe’s homelands in Massachusetts. An enrolled member of the community, she leads the work to protect Mohican and Munsee (Lenape) cultural sites and repatriate cultural items, often serving to transform museums’ understanding of tribal cultural patrimony.

Hartley holds a master of social science degree in international relations from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts. She serves on the board of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the National NAGPRA Community of Practice steering committee. She is a founding member of the Mohican Writers Circle and a 2025 Forge Project fellow.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Community’s ancestral homelands span the Hudson and Housatonic River valleys. Today, the federally recognized tribe is based on a reservation in Wisconsin, where approximately half of its 1,500 members live.

MCLA’s Green Living Seminar Series brings environmental experts to campus throughout the academic year to engage students and community members in conversations about sustainability, climate change, and ecological responsibility. All presentations take place Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121, and are recorded as podcasts available at mcla.edu/greenliving.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will welcome Alexander de Sherbinin, director and senior research scientist at Columbia Climate School’s Center for Integrated Earth System Information (CIESIN), as part of its Green Living Seminar Series on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

He will present “How Religion Influences Our Relationship with the Environment,” examining the complex connections between spiritual beliefs and environmental stewardship. The talk will explore how different faith traditions shape attitudes toward nature, conservation, and climate action.

A geographer whose research focuses on climate-related mobility, climate vulnerability mapping, and population-environment interactions, de Sherbinin manages the NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) and leads the UN Global Centre for Climate Mobility’s Global Knowledge Hub. His work integrates geospatial data to address critical questions about human dimensions of climate change. He holds a PhD in geo-information science and Earth observation from the University of Twente in the Netherlands and has served as an agricultural extension agent with the U.S. Peace Corps in Mauritania, West Africa.

MCLA’s Green Living Seminar Series brings environmental experts to campus throughout the academic year to engage students and community members in conversations about sustainability, climate change, and ecological responsibility.

All presentations take place Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121, and will be recorded as podcasts available at mcla.edu/greenliving. This event is free and open to the public.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) Green Living Seminar continues its spring 2026 “Nature and Spirituality” theme with a presentation on “Mindful Birding and the Science of Awe: Improving Our Health & Saving the Planet” on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 121 of the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation.

Educator and naturalist Dave Edson will explore why birding has become one of the fastest-growing hobbies in recent years and how this practice can improve mental health, environmental awareness, and even international relations. Through the lens of “Mindful Birding and the Science of Awe,” Edson will share an approach rooted in healing, wonder, and joy.

“Why is birding so (literally) awesome? What can birding teach us about mental health? The health of our planet?” Edson asks. “We will investigate these questions and more. While there is no one or ‘right’ way to bird, ‘Mindful Birding through the lens of the Science of Awe,’ specifically, is an approach rooted in healing, wonder, and joy that can improve our lives in meaningful and limitless ways.”

Edson is a multi-disciplinary birder with an extensive background in theatre, music, education, and the great outdoors. He taught in schools for more than 20 years and has been a consultant for outdoor organizations working to make their missions more diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive. He has facilitated birding outings in the Berkshires with Mass Audubon, Hoffmann Bird Club, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Mixed Faces Wild Spaces, and numerous other organizations.

“One of my life goals is to further connect our collective appreciation for biodiversity with our understanding and love of the diversity of humans,” Edson said. “Birding is for everyone, and the goal is joy.”

The presentation is part of MCLA’s 12-week “Nature and Spirituality” series, which examines how faith, religion, and spiritual traditions shape our relationship with the natural world.

“This semester’s theme examines the profound connections between spirituality and environmental stewardship,” said Dr. Elena Traister, MCLA professor of Environmental Studies and the series’ organizer. “From Indigenous perspectives to climate activism rooted in faith, these conversations are more relevant than ever.”

All Green Living Seminar sessions are free and open to the public. All presentations will be recorded as podcasts available at www.mcla.edu/greenliving.

NORTH ADAMS — The Green Living Seminar Series at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) continues on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation by Nimah Mazaheri, professor of Political Science and dean of Academic Affairs at Tufts University.

The presentation, titled “Faith Under Fire: How Religion Shapes Climate Concern in the Middle East,” will take place in MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121. The event is free and open to the public.

Mazaheri will discuss his research on how religion influences climate change perceptions across the Middle East, a region facing significant environmental challenges, including extreme heat, recurring droughts, and water salinization.

Drawing from Arab Barometer surveys of 13,700 people across 12 countries, Mazaheri’s research reveals unexpected patterns in how Middle Eastern populations view the climate crisis. His findings show that, while Muslims tend to be less concerned about climate change compared to Christians in the region, individuals with a strong sense of religiosity across all faiths demonstrate greater concern about environmental threats. The research also uncovers a ‘culture war’ dynamic, with religious Muslims who endorse Islamist government showing less concern than their secular counterparts.

“These findings show that religion exerts a nuanced and unexpected influence on how people evaluate the climate change crisis,” Mazaheri notes in his 2024 published paper on the topic.

Mazaheri’s work focuses on the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa, with particular emphasis on how oil wealth shapes politics and economics in the region. His research has been published in leading journals, including Comparative Political Studies, World Politics, and World Development.

This semester’s Green Living Seminar series explores “Nature and Spirituality,” a 12-week examination of how faith, religion, and spiritual traditions shape our relationship with the natural world. All presentations will be recorded as podcasts available at www.mcla.edu/greenliving.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) received $684,096 in State University SUCCESS 2.0 funding to support student retention and degree completion efforts, according to an announcement from Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

The grant will enable MCLA to implement comprehensive support services focused on helping vulnerable student populations, particularly Pell Grant-eligible students, successfully complete their degrees.

“This funding represents a significant investment in our students’ futures,” MCLA President James Birge said. “The SU SUCCESS 2.0 program will allow us to provide the wraparound supports and proactive services that research shows make a real difference in helping students persist and graduate.”

The State University SUCCESS 2.0 program is modeled on proven, research-based practices, including the SUNY ACE/CUNY ASAP initiatives that have demonstrated significant gains in retention and degree completion nationwide. These evidence-based strategies are designed to help students overcome barriers to degree completion and achieve increased economic mobility for themselves and their families.

The grant funding is part of the state’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and ensuring that more Massachusetts students can earn baccalaureate degrees.

“The degrees that students earn will provide them with increased economic mobility for themselves and their families,” said Noe Ortega, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. “It is a key component of the American dream that you are working to make real in Massachusetts.”

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will present acclaimed dance duo Baye & Asa for an evening of groundbreaking performance and film, hosted by MOSAIC, MCLA’s public program for open arts and intersectional culture.

The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in Venable Theatre, and feature a live performance of “Suck It Up,” followed by a screening of the award-winning short dance film Second Seed and a conversation with the artists. This event is free and open to the public.

Blending hip-hop and African dance languages with contemporary dance and theatrical storytelling, Baye & Asa create work that challenges audiences to confront urgent social issues through physical movement and emotional resonance. Their piece “Suck It Up” explores the violent fallout of male insecurity and entitlement through dynamic choreography and visceral physicality, while Second Seed confronts the myths of white victimhood presented in D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation.

“MOSAIC is thrilled to bring Baye & Asa to campus and back to the Berkshires,” said Jeremy Winchester, director of MOSAIC and MCLA professor of Theatre. “Their work addresses a need for empathy in an increasingly violent society. As we face the challenge of these times, the conversations their work sparks help us to better build the community we want to live in.”

NORTH ADAMS — MCLA announced that Jodie Ginsberg will deliver the Hardman Journalist in Residence Lecture, “Defending Journalism in an Age of Rage,” on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation atrium. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Ginsberg is CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that defends press freedom worldwide. A journalist by profession, Ginsberg joined CPJ in 2022 from Internews Europe, where she was CEO.

She began her career as a graduate trainee with Reuters, working as a commodities reporter before taking up a posting as a foreign correspondent in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she focused on the region’s financial sector. She subsequently worked as Reuters’ chief correspondent in Ireland, based in Dublin, and then bureau chief for the U.K. and Ireland. In that role, she managed coverage of the 2008 financial crisis, U.K. riots and 2010 general election, as well as overseeing the merger of the Thomson and Reuters U.K. newsrooms. In 2014, she was appointed chief executive of London-based freedom of expression group Index on Censorship, which she led until 2020.

An internationally respected campaigner on issues of media freedom and freedom of expression, Ginsberg is a regular speaker on journalist safety and issues involving access to information. From 2020 to 2022, she was chief executive of Internews Europe, a media development nonprofit, and she currently serves on the board of the Trust for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and as a council member of IFEX, an international network for freedom of expression organizations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Cambridge and a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism from City, University of London.

“An American journalist with international experience, Jodie Ginsberg actively works to protect journalists around the world,” MCLA Professor and Communication and Intercultural Studies Department Chairperson Hannah Haynes said. “Her experience as a journalist and advocate for freedom of speech engages with some of the most polemical issues of our time, making her an ideal candidate for the Hardman Journalist in Residence. Responding to MCLA students’ interests, Ginsberg’s keynote lecture will cover global topics impacting journalists today. Her visit includes a student journalism workshop focusing on journalism ethics and careers in the field.”

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced that Associate Professor of Psychology Sara Steele has been named Best Professor in the Berkshire Eagle’s Best of the Berkshires 2025 awards. The honor comes after a community voting campaign that saw just over 114,500 digital votes and more than 1,700 print ballots submitted across all categories.

The Best of the Berkshires awards celebrate excellence across numerous categories throughout Berkshire County, recognizing businesses, services, and individuals who make significant contributions to the region.

“It is such an honor to win an award like this, and it was an honor to even be nominated,” Steele said. “I really do care about my teaching and my students, so to win an award related to this is really exciting. MCLA is the place to teach and learn. I’ve worked at other schools, and it’s just not the same. The small class sizes here really let me do what I want to do in the classroom and allows me the opportunity to do demos or have deep discussions during class. The school is also set up well for student support. If you are struggling, there are lots of folks ready and willing to help.”

MCLA President James Birge added that “this recognition speaks to Professor Steele’s dedication to her students and her ability to make a lasting impact both in the classroom and throughout the community. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our faculty.”

Mark Hayden, a 2024 MCLA graduate who majored in psychology and currently works as a researcher at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, shared his experience as one of Steele’s students.

“Beyond being a gifted teacher, Dr. Steele was an instrumental mentor in my decision to pursue a career in psychology and ultimately a doctorate,” Hayden said. “She cares deeply about her students, offering wise and thoughtful guidance with an unparalleled level of passion and positivity that are both reassuring and inspiring. Her encouragement and deep knowledge of the field have had, and continue to have, a lasting impact on me. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been one of her students.”

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) Physics Department will welcome Brian Beckford, a nuclear and particle physicist with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of High Energy Physics, for a free public lecture on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121. This talk is funded by the American Institute of Physics Foundation’s TEAM-UP Together EXCEL grant.

In his talk, “The Road Less Traveled and My Path in Physics,” Beckford will share both his groundbreaking research and his personal journey in science, from his immigrant childhood in Miami to conducting cutting-edge experiments in Japan. The presentation will offer audiences a unique blend of scientific insight and personal narrative, exploring the challenges and opportunities that have defined his career.

Beckford’s research focuses on photoproduction and rare decay experiments, conducted at facilities in Japan, that contribute to our understanding of fundamental particles and forces. Beyond his scientific contributions, he is a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM fields and has dedicated significant effort to broadening participation in physics for students from underrepresented groups.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the broader community to hear from a leading physicist who exemplifies both scientific excellence and a commitment to making physics more accessible,” MCLA Professor and Physics Department Chair Kebra Ward said.

The lecture is designed to appeal to a wide audience, from physics students and STEM majors to anyone interested in science careers, diversity in academia, or the human stories behind scientific discovery. The event is free and open to the public, and community members, students, and faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to attend.

NORTH ADAMS — The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Communications Department will present a screening and roundtable discussion of the unreleased Bigfoot documentary Hidden Creek on Friday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation.

Created by professional filmographer Terry Holland, Hidden Creek delves into one man’s story about his run-in with Bigfoot in the 1970s. A crew of friends and researchers travel to the Colorado wilderness to retrace his steps, all to uncover whether the mysterious creature really exists.

Holland has years of experience in the film industry, including his work on the 2022 film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies with Pete Davidson.

This event is free and open to the public, but seats are limited. Secure a spot by registering at lnk.mcla.edu/hiddencreek.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has maintained its position as the sixth-ranked public liberal arts school in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, marking 11 consecutive years in the top 10.

“Eleven years of top ten recognition is a testament to our faculty, staff, and the entire MCLA community’s dedication to student success,” President James Birge said. “This consistency in rankings reflects our core mission: providing an affordable, transformative liberal arts education that empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to society.”

More than 41% of MCLA undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, and 49% are the first in their families to attend college. Overall, 95% of MCLA students receive some form of financial aid.

“MCLA’s sustained excellence in the rankings reflects its unwavering commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education,” said Buffy Lord, chair of the MCLA board of trustees. “While some institutions may steeply discount their programs to attract students, MCLA uses an affordability model rather than a financial leveraging approach. The result is that MCLA graduates have the lowest student loan debt of any four-year public institution in Massachusetts, and 22% of graduates have no student loan debt at all.”

The college’s focus on individual attention and experiential learning continues to set it apart. Classes are taught by dedicated educators who prioritize teaching excellence and student development, creating an environment where every student can thrive academically and personally.

“At MCLA, we strike a balance between our strong identity rooted in practical education and our forward-looking approach,” Birge continued. “We understand the demanding expectations of today’s students, and we are committed to meeting their needs. This is why we have introduced new programs, such as nursing, radiologic technology, global studies, environmental studies, and music, industry, and production.”

Another one of the ways MCLA supports student success beyond the classroom is through its Essential Needs Center (ENC), which addresses the hardships outside of academics that can become obstacles to student achievement and overall well-being. This welcoming space offers food, essential items, housing and transportation assistance, seasonal clothes, SNAP applications, and much more. Importantly, the ENC is run by students who best understand these out-of-class challenges and are ready to help and support their peers.

“Our additional student support staff enables us to quickly and efficiently customize academic success plans, allowing students to focus on their classes without being sidelined by other stressors,” Birge noted. “At MCLA, students don’t just have a plan for their continued growth and success; they have the name of an MCLA mentor who is there from start to finish.”

U.S. News ranks colleges based on indicators including financial strength, faculty expertise, and educational outcomes.

“These rankings provide further validation that MCLA remains true to its 130-year commitment to public education and effectively prepares students for success in an increasingly complex world,” Lord concluded. “The liberal arts model is just as valuable now as it ever was, and we’re pleased to see our continued strengths highlighted in this way.”

NORTH ADAMS — MCLA’s fall 2025 Elizabeth and Lawrence Vadnais Environmental Issues Lecture will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in MCLA’s Murdock Hall, Room 218. This year’s event will celebrate the creation of the Center for Resourceful Living, started 50 years ago by MCLA Professor Emeritus Lawrence Vadnais.

The evening will feature the debut screening of filmmaker Sharon Wyrrick’s documentary, Did You Put Milk in the Bucket?: A Tribute to the Center for Resourceful Living. The filmmaker will be in attendance at the screening.

This event coincides with “Scenes from the Center for Resourceful Living,” an exhibition of photographs of the center curated by Wyrrick and on view at MCLA’s MOSAIC EventSpace (49 Main St.) from Oct. 3 to Nov. 2. The exhibit features photographs from the Randy Trabold collection, donated to MCLA by Ida Trabold; images from MCLA’s Freel Library archives; and additional photographs from center participants during its existence, from 1975 to 1980. The exhibit opens with a reception on Friday, Oct. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.

“The Environmental Studies Department is excited to celebrate the Center for Resourceful Living and its legacy,” said Elena Traister, professor of Environmental Studies at MCLA. “This forward-thinking sustainability program remains important, not only to the alumni who participated in it, but also to the hands-on approach MCLA’s environmental studies program continues to take in preparing students to address the environmental challenges of our time. We are pleased to be able to share the story of this impactful program with the broader community.”

These events are free and open to the public. To directly support the Vadnais Lecture Series through “Pathways, the Campaign for MCLA,” visit lnk.mcla.edu/pathways.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host three fall mini open houses designed to give prospective students and their families an intimate look at campus life and academic offerings.

The fall mini open houses will take place on three Saturdays, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, and Nov. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation.

During each event, visitors will have the opportunity to tour campus, connect with faculty and staff, and learn about MCLA’s academic programs, admissions process, and student resources. The mini open house format allows students and families to engage with the college community in a personalized and accessible way.

Students interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance at www.mcla.edu/visit. For more information, contact the Office of Admission at [email protected] or (413) 662-5410.

NORTH ADAMS — The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Division of Graduate & Continuing Education will host a networking and mentoring session for new K-12 leaders on Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield.

The event comes at a time of significant leadership transitions across local school districts and is designed to strengthen regional educational partnerships while providing support for newly appointed administrators.

“With significant leadership transitions occurring across local school districts, this gathering provides an opportunity to build relationships, offer support, and strengthen the professional network that connects MCLA with educational leaders throughout the Berkshires and beyond,” said Marianne Young, director of MCLA’s Leadership Academy. “These partnerships play a vital role in supporting current and future educators as they pursue advanced degrees and leadership development opportunities.”

The session will include appetizers and beverages as participants come together to celebrate educational leadership in the community. The event reflects MCLA’s broader commitment to supporting the regional educational ecosystem beyond its own boundaries. Educational leaders interested in attending can contact [email protected] for more details.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host its annual Constitution Day Lecture on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. in Murdock Hall, Room 218.

This year’s presentation, titled “Surveillance, Police, and Big Tech: Lessons from Baltimore,” will be delivered by Ben Snyder, associate professor of Sociology at Williams College. Snyder’s talk will focus on a 2020 partnership between Baltimore police and a technology startup to deploy aerial surveillance planes designed to reduce gun violence. Equipped with high-powered cameras, the planes recorded the movements of every person in public view across the city.

Drawing from direct observations of homicide cases, Snyder will examine how the program operated, why it largely failed, and the broader consequences of such for-profit surveillance initiatives on constitutional rights.

Snyder has taught at Williams College since 2018 and tells unique stories about how technology is shaping society from the perspective of everyday people. He is the author of two books: Spy Plane: Inside Baltimore’s Surveillance Experiment and The Disrupted Workplace: Time and the Moral Order of Flexible Capitalism. He has also published numerous scholarly and popular pieces based on immersive investigations of difficult-to-reach populations, from long-haul truck drivers to hedge fund traders to surveillance analysts.

Constitution Day was established as a federal holiday in 2004 and first celebrated in 2005, recognizing the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 in Philadelphia. MCLA’s Constitution Day Lecture is free and open to the public and is made possible by its Department of History and Political Science.

Amr (Elkabbanny) Ibrahim

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced that three new faculty members will be joining the Trailblazer community for the college’s fall semester: Dr. Amr (Elkabbany) Ibrahim, Muge Karabag, and Amanda Davis.

Muge Karabag

Ibrahim joins MCLA’s Chemistry department as a visiting assistant professor. A medicinal chemist, his research focuses on the design and synthesis of small-molecule antivirals and the use of structure-based drug design to interrogate host-virus interactions, including V-ATPase modulation and TIM-1-mediated entry.

Amanda Davis

Ibrahim’s expertise spans organic synthesis, SAR, computational modeling, and ADME profiling, and he is committed to mentoring undergraduates through research that bridges chemistry and biology. At MCLA, he will teach biochemistry and related courses while building collaborations that provide hands-on, publication-quality experiences for students.

Karabag joins MCLA as a visiting assistant professor of Multimedia Journalism. She is a media scholar and practitioner with a background in broadcast journalism and digital communication. She previously worked as a reporter and news anchor for television channels in Istanbul and served as an assistant university professor in the department of New Media and Communication in Turkey.

Karabag’s research interests include artificial intelligence, interspecies communication, AI and society, technology and society, and the impact of digital applications on social behavior. She is also developing a digital services startup focused on home-based solutions in the U.S., exploring the intersection of technology, user experience, and everyday life.

Davis is a part of MCLA’s Nursing department, where she combines her love for teaching with her years of hands-on nursing experience as a visiting assistant professor of Health Professions. She earned her master’s degre in nursing education and has served as the simulation coordinator for the MCLA Nursing program, nurse leader for the North Adams Public School System, and a medical-surgical nurse.

Passionate about end-of-life care, oncology, and school nursing, Davis strives to prepare future nurses through engaging, realistic simulations and a focus on compassionate, evidence-based practice. In both lecture and clinical settings, she emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and strong clinical judgment to help students develop both the skills and heart needed to provide exceptional patient care.

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host author and inspirational speaker Michael Hingson on Thursday, Sept. 11 in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. The presentation will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a meet and greet and book signing from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, escaped from the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center, descending 78 flights of stairs moments before the building collapsed. This harrowing experience became the foundation for Hingson’s message of overcoming fear, building trust, and finding strength in the face of unimaginable adversity.

“We are honored to welcome Michael Hingson to our campus on such a significant day,” MCLA Assistant Director of Disability Resources Nancy Rumbolt-Trzcinski said. “His story of survival, resilience, and the power of human-animal partnerships offers invaluable lessons for our students as they navigate their own challenges and prepare for their futures.”

Blind since birth, Hingson was raised in Chicago with a can-do attitude that saw him riding bikes, mastering advanced mathematics, and excelling academically. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the University of California, Irvine, along with a secondary teaching credential, before embarking on a nearly 30-year career in high-tech management.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Hingson became a sought-after speaker, sharing his story with world leaders, including former President George W. Bush, and appearing on hundreds of television and radio programs. He has traveled globally, speaking to Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations about teamwork, trust, diversity, inclusion, and adaptive technology.

“Michael Hingson’s visit reinforces our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every student can thrive,” MCLA Director of Disability Resources Cindy MacDonald said. “His message about partnership, trust, and overcoming fear speaks directly to the values we work to instill across our campus community.”

Hingson is the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust, which has sold more 2.5 million copies worldwide. His second book, Running with Roselle, was written specifically for young audiences to help them understand one of America’s darkest days. His latest work, Live Like a Guide Dog, released in August 2024, teaches readers how to control fear and avoid becoming “blinded by fear in the face of crisis.”

In June 2024, Hingson was inducted into the honors fraternity Phi Beta Kappa at UC Irvine as an alumni member for his outstanding contributions to academia and society.

During his visit to MCLA, Hingson will present “Turning the Tails on Terror in Our Uncertain and Scary World: Labrador Lessons from September 11, 2001,” discussing how people can learn to live better lives by staying focused rather than panicking, even in the most challenging circumstances. He will also engage with students and faculty throughout the day, including a visit to Professor Anthony Daly’s “War, Science, and Society” course.

Currently serving as national ambassador for the Braille Literacy Campaign of the National Federation of the Blind, Hingson continues his advocacy work while living in Victorville, Calif. with his eighth guide dog, Alamo, and rescue cat, Stitch.

NORTH ADAMS — The 28th annual MCLA Athletics Golf Classic will be held Monday, Sept. 8 at Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown. The Golf Classic serves as a major fundraiser for the College’s Athletics Department. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $1 million to support MCLA’s student athletes.

“We are so grateful to our sponsors and participants, both those who are dedicated longtime supporters and those who are new this year,” MCLA Assistant Dean for Athletics & Recreation Laura Mooney said. “Their generosity and contributions allow the department to make facility upgrades and to enhance the student-athlete experience through new uniforms, team gear, and specialized equipment purchases. These items directly impact the recruitment, retention, and success of our students and student athletes.”

Each year, the tournament recognizes a deserving individual or business that has impacted MCLA Athletics. This year’s honoree is 1986 MCLA alumnus and former board of trustees member Jim Clemmer, who also served as interim president of MCLA from August 2015 to March 2016. He is the president and CEO of AngioDynamics and has been a dedicated supporter of MCLA Athletics for decades.

The entry cost includes the 18-hole tournament, greens and cart fees, lunch, branded gifts, a post-golf dinner, and more. On the day of the event, registration will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and the tournament will begin at 11 a.m.

Those interested in signing up for or sponsoring the event may do so by emailing [email protected], calling (413) 662-5001, or filling out the online form at lnk.mcla.edu/golf2025.