Alumni Association Board of Directors

The MCLA Alumni Board of Directors exists to drive engagement across our community by connecting with, celebrating, and supporting the unique individuals who call themselves MCLA/NASC alumni. We operate with empathy as our guiding light, and we believe it’s the catalyst for inclusivity and respect. 

Education is the foundation of everything we do and set out to achieve. Not just the role it played in uniting us, but the assumption that — as humans and as Board members — we’re dedicated to the lifelong act of learning. We achieve this through transparent communication, intentional collaboration, and a deep-rooted belief that education empowers alumni everywhere, opening the door to a new realm of possibilities.

To contact a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, please email alumni@mcla.edu.

Board of Directors Elections

Considering running for a seat on the board? Learn more about what it's like to be on the Alumni Association Board of Directors here. To view a job description for the Alumni Association Board of Directors, click here. 

Meet the Board

OFFICERS

CRYSTAL (WOJcik) Adelt '21, president

Student Clubs/Orgs: Class Council President, Student Activities Council (SAC), Accounting Club, Student Government Association (SGA), Admissions Ambassador, National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS), Peer Mentor

"One of my goals as a part of the MCLA Alumni Board of Directors is to improve both current student and newer alumni engagement. Often times when students graduate, they move on to the next chapter of their life and tend to lose engagement with their alma mater. Since there are still many services and guidance available to MCLA alumni, I would like to work toward establishing a better connection with recent graduates who have joined the alumni network and linking them to resources that will allow them continued success throughout their professional careers. I would also like to expand current student engagement with the local communities around MCLA.

"For example, I worked for the Town of Adams after I began an internship there. I felt a connection to the community and the internship is the reason I decided to stay in the area after graduation and find a job right here in my hometown. In Adams, we have discussed the possibility of building an internship program with MCLA that would connect students directly to the community through public service, while also allowing them to gain real-life work experience in a government setting. I believe we could expand the alumni base in the Berkshires if we work to connect students with the communities around us through avenues such as internships or volunteer opportunities."

danielle gismondi '10, M.ed. '15, vice president

Student Clubs/Orgs: Founder of Good Vibes Yoga Club, Student Activities Council, Comedy Stop Chair, LEAD Academy Staff, Orientation Leader, Peer Advisor, Wellness Committee, Dance Company, Psi Chi, MCLA M.Ed. Commencement Speaker 2015

Danielle has been observing MCLAs growth for many years. She's excited to serve the institution that helped guide her current career. After eight years in the classroom and a few more in education management at Head Start, she is currently the Portland Pre-K program coordinator, which is in one of the largest school districts in Maine. For the last five years, she and her fiance have resided in Portland, where Danielle also teaches yoga and runs monthly women's groups.

dana wiklund '88, MCLA FOundation board representative

Dana is a 35-year veteran of the financial services industry, having served in various roles as a risk engineering practitioner and executive. His career focus, which has its roots at MCLA, has been generating creative solutions for consumers and businesses by connecting data and statistical methodologies to business problems. Dana's current role is with a top 10 bank, overseeing the fair and responsible banking analytics function that assures the bank's predictive models and lending processes do not create any disparate impacts to the bank's customers or communities. He is considered an industry expert on consumer credit scoring and has been a contributing author to books on the topic.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in finance from MCLA, Dana earned a graduate management certificate at Harvard University and a master's degree in finance from Suffolk University. He is a longstanding member at the Bellevue Golf Club, having served as a past president. Dana has two grown children, Ryan and Emma, and he and his wife, Kim, reside in Melrose, Massachusetts, with their golden retriever, Sake.

DIRECTORS

darrell colvin, mba '15

"After completing my undergraduate degree at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, I returned to the Berkshires and began my career in financial services. Being a Berkshire County native, I realized it was the perfect place to raise a family and build a future. When it came time to pursue graduate school, I knew I needed a local option and the MCLA PMBA program provided that and so much more!

"I was a full-time employee at Greylock Federal Credit Union at the time, as well as a dad to two beautiful young children. The flexibility the program offered in terms of part-time weekend sessions in person and the hybrid format that included online work was appealing. I also chose to be a part of the program due to its competitive nature, and the ability to foster relationships with other working professionals in the community. I believe the greatest opportunities for growth in the Berkshires lie with continued economic revitalization, diversifying our local economic base through incentive packages to entice new employers, and continued work on affordable housing so young professionals can afford to live in the area and raise families. I also believe in building and strengthening partnerships between MCLA and employers to create job placement and continuing educational opportunities. 

"As an Alumni Board member, I will strive to enhance the College’s connections with the local community, alumni, and employers. The skills, relationships, and confidence I gained at MCLA remain an important part of who I am today. I am so excited to be able to give back to the College."

sharon denton '90

Student Clubs/Orgs: WJJW, The Beacon, TV Production, multicultural student group

Sharon Denton is an accomplished professional, with a Ph.D. in Leadership and Organizational Behavior, currently serving as the Director of Workforce and Organizational Development at the Houston Health Department. With over 14 years of experience in strategic and project management, Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in business optimization, systems analysis, and operational improvement. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to predominately public sector and educational organizations, culminating in her experience as the Director of Capital Budgeting for the Chicago Public Schools, before moving to Houston in 2000. In recent roles, she has excelled as a lead consultant for business process optimization projects for major public-sector organizations, and as an independent consultant in the areas of leadership, job satisfaction, and executive mentorship.

Sharon's strengths extend beyond technical skills; she is a seasoned trainer and presenter, and adept at engaging stakeholders and cultivating relationships that drive collaborative success. As a member of the MCLA Alumni Board, she is dedicated to fostering connections that will benefit current students and recent graduates. By sharing her insights and experiences, Sharon aims to enhance the College's commitment to leadership development and organizational excellence. 

patrice dwyer '81

Student Clubs/Orgs: WJJW, TV Production, Orientation Leader

"This is my first year on the Alumni Board after serving as a Class Agent for many years. I am very excited to be part of a dynamic group of individuals, and to create more opportunities for alumni both online and in person. The confidence I gained as a student at NASC/MCLA helped shaped me into the person I am today. I am looking forward to collaborating with other alums to help MCLA continue to thrive."

edwin escobar '08

"I am honored to have been elected to the Board of Directors at MCLA, my alma mater, which played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. I graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and later earned my masters in Spanish Teaching Methodology from Middelbury College. For the past 16 years, I have worked in independent schools as both a Spanish teacher and Head Soccer Coach. I currently teach at Phillips Academy Andover, where I was proud to receive the Harkness Award for Excellent Teaching. This recognition reflects what has always been at the core of my work: building strong, student-centered communities, both in the classroom and on the field.

Outside of work, I am a proud father of three boys: Andretti, Xavi, and Ellis. I enjoy spending time with my wife (whom I affectionately call "my Mary") and our children, whether we are on an adventure or enjoying a quiet moment together. Joining the Board feels like a full-circle moment for me. I am excited to give back to MCLA and contribute to its future while honoring the values and community that helped shape my start."

colby harvish '16

Student Clubs/Orgs.: residence life, student government, Yorick

A native of the Adirondacks, Colby is a higher education professional and philosophy professor. After graduating from MCLA, he started his career working in residence life and transitioned to academic advising. After earning his undergraduate degree in philosophy, he went on to earn a master's degree in philosophy from SUNY and is working on his doctoral degree at UAlbany. Outside of his studies and professional work, Colby has been actively engaged as a union leader, in his local community, and in backyard beekeeping. He has always been interested in giving back to the MCLA community through annual giving, alumni networking, alumni socials, informal visits to campus, attending events, and volunteering.

SHALeigh howells '10

Shaleigh (she/they) is a strategic leader in cultural and historic preservation, with a focus on stakeholder engagement and advocacy for place-based knowledge and Indigenous-led approaches to conservation and interpretation. Originally from Massachusetts, they hold degrees from MCLA and Harvard University Extension School. Shaleigh currently serves as an Indigenous Cultural Landscape Research Fellow with the Shenandoah National Park Trust, collaborating with Native Nations, the National Park Service, and community knowledge holders to center Indigenous perspectives in land stewardship, cultural revitalization, and heritage conservation.

Their areas of expertise include collections management, museum registration, deaccession, repatriation, cultural resources management, and community engagement. Shaleigh previously served as the cultural resources director and museum director for the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and assistant registrar at The Valentine. In their free time, Shaleigh enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, reading, building with Legos and advocating for animal welfare. 

gary lavariere '16

Gary Lavariere is a forward-thinking leader who possesses a wealth of knowledge relative to data and digital strategies that drive success. He is currently the chief revenue officer overseeing the business unit at New England Newspapers, Inc. In his eight years as a media executive there and at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he has quickly risen to a leadership role and is highly regarded in the industry. 

rick maybury '80, ph.d. 

Student Clubs/Orgs.: SGA, Resident Advisor, intramurals, high school tutoring program coordinator, The Beacon, orientation leader

"MCLA/NASC gave me a profound life experience. My professor mentors gave much of themselves to both my academic and life education. Friendships were established and they still hold meaning to this day. I am looking forward to supporting the College and future generations of students, hopefully leading to the type of transformational experience I enjoyed. 

My main focus today is leading the startup of a groundbreaking new university as the founder and president. The Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies (KJI), which is licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, is a non-profit, in-person academic institution for experienced professionals, granting master's and doctoral degrees in human and organizational development. Before joining KJI, I led a global consulting firm for 35 years, providing services in over 40 countries. I served our country, primarily in the Middle East, post-9/11.

JOE MCCUE '75 

"My years of business experience (growing and operating my own company, which conducted business throughout North America) aligns with much of the Alumni Board’s work. My company grew to nearly $30 million in annual sales with offices both in the U.S. and Canada. Operating and managing its growth, with its commensurate challenges, prepared me for advisory board roles. Eventually, I negotiated the sale of my business to one of the world’s largest IT companies. Prior to joining the Alumni Association Board at MCLA, I sat on the following boards: Northeastern University School of Architecture Advisory Board; The INLY School, Scituate, MA; The Irish Chamber of Commerce Boston branch; Rian Center, Boston.

"The College is an important and vital asset of Berkshire County. As an alum, I believe I have an obligation to help ensure the school remains a valuable economic and cultural contributor to the community and to western Massachusetts." 

becky (lindley) mcgann '99

Student Clubs/Orgs: RA, Orientation Leader, Student Leadership Development Assistant, STARS (Students Taking Alcohol Risks Seriously)

Becky's experience at NASC/MCLA truly impacted her life's work, as she wanted to give back after her life-changing experience with the College’s higher education professionals who saw potential in her as an undergraduate. Serving as an RA, participating in and working for the student leadership development program, club involvement, and campus event participation helped Becky transition from a quiet and shy first-year student to an outgoing and empowered leader. She has dedicated her career to higher ed student development through Residence Life and Student Activities to support students in their journey.

Becky earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and certification in elementary education from MCLA, followed by a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Maine, and is now at ABD Doctoral Status in student development administration at Northeastern University. She currently serves as the director of student activities at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts. Becky's goals for the Alumni Board include growing the relationship between the institution and alumni who attended during the name change from North Adams State College to MCLA, as well as creating opportunities for current students and alumni to connect, encouraging lifelong bonds to the college.

ron pollone '66

Ron served with the United States Army stationed at Camp Casey, Korea, served as the NCO in charge of the Special Services Supply Office, and was selected to serve on the Inspector General's Team throughout the 7th Infantry Division. He was employed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more than 30 years in positions of increasing levels of responsibility, including tax auditor, systems programmer and analyst, manager of the Boston district taxpayer service, and manager and chief of security for all IRS offices located In Massachusetts. Ron served with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Service as the federal liaison to New York and all the New England states’ Food Stamp programs and was responsible for evaluating and granting funds for computer systems. On a leave of absence, he and a partner bought and operated a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise, attended Dunkin’ Donuts University, and purchased options for four additional sites. He is now retired from federal service and operates a small tax practice, serves as a constable for the town of North Andover, and as the Chairman of the Retirement Board for the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District.

nia scott-hamilton '17

Nia Scott-Hamilton (formerly Nia Scott) is an HR professional with a master's degree in Human Services Management from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in Fine and Performing Arts from MCLA. With multiple HR certifications and a strong commitment to fostering inclusive, fair, and supportive organizational cultures, Nia works to ensure that all individuals feel valued and empowered. Currently serving as HR officer at a global nonprofit focused on advancing feminist activism, Nia supports organizational growth and employee development with a focus on creating an environment where staff can thrive.

MCLA truly changed Nia's life, shaping her both personally and professionally. The connections, mentorship, and support she found at MCLA were key to her growth, and she is committed to ensuring that future students have the same opportunities. Now on the Alumni Board, Nia is dedicated to strengthening alumni engagement, creating meaningful opportunities to give back to the community that gave her so much, and bringing in new, diverse perspectives. By continuing to build bridges between the College and its alumni, she aims to foster collaboration and ensure that all voices are heard and valued.

sally shaughnessy '02

After graduating from MCLA, Sally embarked on a career in broadcasting before transitioning into marketing and advertising. Currently a director of production for New York-based creative technology agency Code & Theory, Sally previously worked for Boston ad agency Digitas and Denver agencies The Integer Group and Aten Design Group. She has been managing teams, projects, and people for some of the world's largest brands sinced 2005.

Sally is also an active volunteer as a member of the Junior League of Denver and board-member-at-large for Bella Boutique, a non-profit providing free prom gowns, shoes, and accessories to teens and families in financial need across the Mountain West. While Sally was at MCLA, she was active in the Inter-Greek Council, where she facilitated volunteer projects in North Adams and northern Berkshire County.

ed sokolowski '92

Edward "Ed" Sokolowski is a managing partner and wealth advisor at Pioneer Valley Financial Group. As a resident of Western Massachusetts, he understands the unique financial needs of the community. He is committed to providing personalized, client-centered services to help his clients achieve financial security and peace of mind. Since PV Financial Group has grown over the last two decades, so has its community involvement. Ed believes it is his social responsibility to give back to the community in which he lives and works by supporting them and helping them achieve success.

Alyssa "Laini" SPORbert '92

Laini is the assistant director of health education at Williams College, where she's been employed since 1997. She served on the board of directors of the Elizabeth Freeman Center from 2005-2022, founded a monthly folk-concert series in North Adams, and is on both the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Commission and the Public Arts Commission of the City of North Adams.

"I served on the MCLA Alumni Board from 2000-2012 and enjoyed my time there and the work we did. Since then, I have attended alumni events and stayed up to date with the goings-on at the College. I am interested in being on the board again to promote and support the institution that means so much to me. I truly believe that the time I spent at NASC was formative. While the landscape of the College has changed (literally and figuratively), what remains is the dedication to an affordable, personalized, and excellent education that helps young adults and non-traditional students achieve their dreams."  

amy troelstra '08

Amy graduated with a degree in history and went on to earn her ABA certified paralegal degree from Suffolk University. She then obtained an interior design degree from the New York School of Interior Design in Manhattan. Amy serves on her hometown park's beautification committee, and serves on the PTA and as the homeroom mom at her children's school. She currently resides in Glens Falls, New York, with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a sulcata tortoise.

mara woolley '96

"I have been a class agent since graduation, and have helped the Alumni Association throughout the years with events, mailings, and workshops. I live in the Berkshires, so I am close to the College, and am very involved with the community, so I have many contacts and experience to share. I have been teaching kindergarten and preschool for 28 years in Berkshire County. I serve on the Board of Directors for the local school union, parent teacher groups, the Lions Club, and local events committees and theaters.

"I am an adoptive mother of two children and have fostered hundreds of children in my home over the years. I have worked as a waitress and bartender at Zucchini's Restaurant in Pittsfield for 25 years—it's yummy, you should check it out! I also have a small hobby farm with miniature horses, goats, a pig, ducks, geese, chickens, dogs, and a cat. I love living in the Berkshires and enjoy all it has to offer: hiking, boating, theater, and more."