Why choose community college?
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Convenience, accessibility and affordability are the buzzwords associated with community college, and they certainly hold true for Berkshire Community College (BCC). But what's often overlooked or underestimated is the quality of education — specifically, the excellence of teaching on community college campuses. Not so for alumnus Matt Fleury (BCC Class of 1985), who asserts: "Don't ever let anybody tell you a community college education is somehow second class." Fleury, a theater arts student who went on to become president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center and was later appointed by the governor of Connecticut to serve as chairman of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, speaks highly of his time at BCC and of community colleges in general. "The talent, personal investment and grit of community college students is unparalleled," he said.
Small class size is also a major draw, particularly for non-traditional students who may feel intimidated by lecture classes in auditoriums designed to accommodate hundreds of students. Community colleges often have much smaller classes than those offered during the first two years of university. With that comes smaller student-to-teacher ratios, lending to a personalized experience many BCC students praise as one of the most important parts of their education, as well as one-on-one advising and other student support services.
"I came to BCC like a little lost lamb," said Kate Lauzon, a 2020 liberal arts graduate of BCC and now a commercial insurance agent with Cross Insurance in Pittsfield. "Fortunately for me, my professors helped guide me through the ins and outs of being in school, the feelings and all the challenges I had to go through at home as well. BCC is where I really gained a sense of what community means."
Even during particularly challenging times like the COVID pandemic, BCC goes the extra mile to ensure their students feel safe and supported. "I have been impressed by how campus staff reacted and prepared for the change of environment due to COVID-19. It's their dedication, professionalism and consideration that create a friendly and safe environment for all the students," said Wenying Yi, a BCC student majoring in liberal arts/elementary education. "Their effort makes this difficult experience memorable."
A career-ready or transferable education
Whether students attend BCC with the intention of immediately entering the workforce or transferring to a four-year university to complete an undergraduate degree, the options are limitless. Some students earn certificates, allowing them to find employment in fields such as computer programming, practical nursing, or culinary arts, among many others. Others earn an associate degree and pursue jobs in criminal justice, early childhood education, or fine arts. Still others use their time at BCC as a steppingstone to transfer to a four-year school, where they might earn a bachelor's degree and eventually a master's degree and beyond.
The very subject of transferring credits is yet another strength of community colleges. As a New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredited college, BCC offers students guidance every step of the way, with advisors ensuring they have exactly what they need to transfer their credits into their advanced field of study. This is not always the case at for-profit schools, which are operated by private, profit-seeking businesses. BCC Dean of Nursing Lori Moon has experienced this scenario first-hand.
"There are schools in the Berkshires other than BCC that offer Practical Nurse Certificate Programs, including a private, for-profit school offering two-year programs and professional certifications," Moon said. "But these programs are not accredited by the NECHE and therefore cannot offer transferable credits to BCC." She explained that many times she has seen students apply to BCC from such a for-profit organization, only to find out that the credits they earned can only be transferred if taken at an accredited college of higher education. "This results in students having to retake classes here at BCC due to the non-transferability of their credits, which unfortunately also means incurring the expense that goes along with repeating the courses," she continued.
"I would advise prospective students to ask questions before they enroll anywhere. If you plan to transfer to a community college or a four-year university, make sure the school is accredited and that the credits you complete will be transferable," Moon said.
BCC President Ellen Kennedy underscored the ease of transfer for community college students. "College students looking to continue their education need never miss a beat in their aspirations: with the MassTransfer program, many of the credits earned at community colleges transfer directly to traditional four-year schools," she said. "BCC has additional articulation agreements guaranteeing junior-level placement in a variety of programs with hundreds of academic institutions nationwide. We are a non-profit institution committed to higher education for all."
Strength in diversity and accessibility
Community colleges play a key role in helping students achieve success in higher education. According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), 46 percent of all undergraduates in the United States are enrolled in community colleges. In addition, 41 percent of first-time freshman attend community colleges. College Board statistics indicate that community colleges enjoy a diverse population: Of all undergraduates enrolled at public two-year colleges, 51 percent identify as a race/ethnicity other than white: 5 percent Asian, 14 percent Black, 22 percent Hispanic, and 10 percent other.
At BCC, diversity efforts include the dual enrollment program, which offers free college credits to high school students. In that program, according to Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Adam Klepetar, two-thirds of the students come from communities of color, where there was an 11 percent increase in participation over five years. More than two-thirds of the Black and Latinx students involved in the program have continued to earn additional credits at BCC after their first dual enrollment year.
"At BCC, we are committed to accessibility and reducing achievement gaps — not only in terms of attending college, but also in terms of graduation, transfer and career," Klepetar said.
Christina Daignault, Vice Chair and Co-Development Chair of Multicultural BRIDGE, is a 2013 BCC graduate who majored in social work. A person of color, she grew up in a town that was 97 percent white. Daily microaggressions constantly reminded her she was not white, leading to feelings of isolation and a disconnect to her culture and heritage. "I did not feel I was able to access my education, because it did not feel like a safe nurturing environment where I was seen and heard," Daignault said. "Not feeling seen or heard was a big part of the reason that I didn't see myself or my future." It was when she enrolled at BCC that she finally found what she was looking for: a validation of her feelings and experiences. Unlike her childhood educational experiences, BCC allowed her to learn, to explore her interests, and to have a voice. She graduated from BCC with a 3.9 GPA and went on to earn a master's degree in social work from Springfield College. Today, she uses her life experiences to help others navigate challenges and succeed.
Less debt
The average cost to attend a private four-year university is $37,650 per year. Compare this to 2020- 2021 tuition and fees for attending BCC: $5,492 for in-state residents and $11,520 for out-of-state residents.
According to the Community College Research Center, among students who graduated with an associate degree from a public two-year college, 59 percent took no student loans, 30 percent had less than $20,000 in loans, and about 13 percent had more than $20,000 in loans. Meanwhile, 12 percent of bachelor's degree graduates of public four-year schools owe more than $40,000. Among private non-profit four-year schools, it's 20 percent. But among those who went to for-profit schools, nearly half have loansexceeding $40,000.
"BCC students can earn the same credits from faculty with the same academic credentials as compared to other institutions, at a fraction of the cost," President Kennedy said. "It's important to remember the focus of higher education: to earn credentials and degrees that will help students succeed in today's complex world."
Catheryn Chacon, an accountant at Ernst & Young in Boston who graduated from BCC in 2012, understands the value of a community college education. "A lot of my coworkers went to Boston College or Boston University or other colleges. But we all end up in the same position. We are at the same level," she said. "They always tell me how smart I was because I saved so much money and was able to stay at home while I went to school. Without BCC, I don't think I would be here."
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