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

JAKE BOILLAT '18, PRESIDENT 

Student Clubs/Orgs: Resident Advisor for 3 years, Class of 2018 Treasurer, Environuts, Student Affairs Governance Committee, SGA, student worker in the Registrar's Office

"I hope to bring a new/younger perspective to the board that represents all members of the MCLA community. This is important to me because with every passing year, the population continues to change and so do their wants, needs, and how they want to feel supported. I want current and incoming students to have the same amazing experience I had while attending MCLA. Overall, I want to help the College and its alumni network connect more with current students, each other, and nearby community members."

KIMBERLY ROBERTS-MORANDI '91, '01, M.ED. '00, Vice-president

Student Clubs/Orgs: intramurals

"As a nation, we continue to face challenges that affect the College community and its students. It is of the utmost importance that the staff and students are able to live, learn, and work in a safe, supportive, and open environment that embraces individuality and equality. I hope the work the Board engages in can lead, or where appropriate support, the campus community in its efforts to reinforce the College's values.

As a Board member, I also want to be involved in the ongoing activities that raise funds for current and future students. Providing an opportunity for future generations of MCLA alumni is an obligation I take seriously."

CRYSTAL (WOJcik) Adelt '21, MCLA FOundation board representative

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 currently work for the Town of Adams and I started working there through an internship. 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."

DIRECTORS

JOHN CADIZ '88

Student Clubs/Orgs: theatre production, performance, and props

"NASC/MCLA prepared me for my journey of learning. As a psychology major and theatre minor, I continued on to Tulsa University for a degree in industrial and organizational psychology. After a short stint in military intelligence, I now have more than 30 years of experience in human resources across multiple industries. I bring my breadth of knowledge to the table, with the hope of keeping current and future alumni engaged with the values of learning."

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."

patrice dwyer '81

Student Clubs/Orgs: WJJW Radio, 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."

LIZZ FURTADO '91

Student Clubs/Orgs: all things theatre—performance, direction, tech, audience; intramural sports; SGA, RA, WJJW Radio DJ

"I look forward to continuing to build better relationships between the College and its alums. NASC/MCLA gave me so much as a student, so much that I carry with me today in my work and personal life. I am honored to be able to give back to the school, the alums, and the local community. I hope our work builds bridges and strengthens our community.

danielle gismondi '10, M.ed. '15

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.

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.

CARLA HOLNESS '95

Student Clubs/Orgs: WJJW, Kappa Omicron, The Beacon, Black Student Union, TV Production Club

"I am hoping to help bring alumni back to College, and show them that MCLA is a thriving, progressive college. I hope to bring some of the issues being discussed both on campus and as a Board to the forefront and help to resolve some of these issues in order to ensure that MCLA continues to move forward."

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. 

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, S.T.A.R.S. (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.

 
bruce richman '78

Bruce, a CPA, is originally from Natick, Massachusetts. Upon graduation, he worked in Boston at a national accounting firm and was eventually transferred to the Chicago office of KPMG in the tax department. In his last position, he was a partner and national director of the Valuation Advisory Practice for Mazars USA, one the largest international accounting firms. It was there, in Chicago, where he raised his children, all of whom have attended college and several of whom have attended graduate school. Bruce has eight grandchildren and currently splits his time between Chicago and Florida, where his wife works as an ESL teacher.

"I plan to utilize my ties to the business community to inspire the community of alumni to become committed, knowledgeable, and supportive of the mission of MCLA as a public liberal arts college of distinction. I will utilize my leadership experience in providing strategic direction, resources, and professional expertise to help carry out the strategic goals of the College. I will use my 40 years of experience in the business community to be an advocate for the College with friends, acquaintances, prospective students, the media, and government policymakers."

ryan scutt '09

Ryan grew up in Bennington, Vermont, and has always loved the green mountains and the Berkshires. In 2007, while at MCLA, he established a video production company, which has evolved into Drone & Video Services, LLC. The business specializes in aerial drone systems and advertisement, as well as digitizing antiquated media formats, including video tapes, silent film reels, and slides.

From 2013-2019, Ryan managed the TV studio and educational programs for Catamount Access Television. He now teaches video and TV production at Southwest Tech in Bennington, a career and technical education center where students earn both high school and college-level credit. Ryan teaches a combination of industry and real-world skills, preparing students for college, the workforce, and life. In his spare time, Ryan skydives, teaches skydiving, and spends time with his wife, Rory, their dogs, and family.

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.

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."  

dana wiklund '88

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.