Student Belonging

Student Belonging at BCC

Welcome, students!

About Student Belonging

BCC students and their identities are important pieces in our diverse and multicultural community. Creating space and place for you to see yourself here and understand more about those around you if important to us and our BCC mission. We welcome you to our community and encourage you to find a sense of belonging in and outside of the classroom through our clubs, programs and upcoming events.

Learn more about BCC's Queer Student Association (QSA) here.

2025 Events

March

Queer Student Association at Fresh Check Day - Be Yourself Booth
The Connector
March 6
12:00 - 2:30 PM

Fresh Check Day ® is an engaging and uplifting mental health promotion event for colleges that features peer-centered interactive booths, a festive social atmosphere, and exciting prizes and giveaways. Join the Queer Student Association for a bead-making bracelet activity as we celebrate that there is no gift greater than being yourself.

 

Creative Resistance: Women Mobilizing Through Art & Activism
Panel Discussion & Networking Event for Women Leaders and Future Change Makers
The Connector
March 12, 2025
2:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Join us in celebrating creativity, resilience, and leadership as we recognize the transformative power of women leading the charge for gender equity in Western, MA. This powerful two-part panel discussion, Creative Resistance: Women Mobilizing Through Art & Activism, honors International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, by highlighting the work of female-identifying leaders, artists, advocates, and community organizations making a profound impact in the Berkshires. Through storytelling, dialogue, and shared experiences, we will celebrate the changemakers— who work tirelessly to transform challenges into opportunities and build a more positive future for women and girls in Berkshire County and beyond. These remarkable women use art and activism as tools to empower communities, shape policies, and reimagine what is possible. WAM Theatre is proud to present this panel in partnership with Berkshire Community College.

 

Taco Bar - Create a Student Affinity Club on Campus
SBA Lounge - Success Center
March 13, 2025
2:00 - 3:15 PM
Come enjoy a taco bar and use your voice during this student listening session. Let's build community at BCC together. We are collecting student input on creating a student affinity club on campus. Can't attend in person? (also available ) or join us at next month's Student Listening Session. 

 

Transgender Day of Visibility Panel Event (Hybrid)
M317 and Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91727800859
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
2:30 - 4:00 PM
March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility! Join us a few days early on March 26 to celebrate the joy and resilience of trans and non-binary people everywhere by elevating voices and experiences from our local community. This event is open to the public and light snacks will be provided.
Regsister: https://forms.office.com/r/VvhMpaijNG 


Peacebirds
Writing Center M401
Thursday, March 27, 2025
2-3 PM and 3-4 PM

We invite you to join us for a 2-part workshop of folding peacebirds and sharing our stories with each other. Join for the first or the second part of the workshop or stay for both 

FOLD BIRDS FOR PEACE

This project grew out of a shared desire of two artist friends, Mona Shiber and JuPong Lin, to transform the agony of witnessing atrocities happening around the world. Their people come from lineages of occupation and struggle for sovereignty, from Palestine and from Taiwan; This project invites all to fold doves and cranes to befriend our monsters, to transform the monstrosities of modernism.

We fold doves & cranes, allowing for mindful movements of hands, eyes & heart. These birds represent peace in many traditions. We imbue our global well wishing into our hands & birds. While folding we will lean into our stories and connect with each other on a deeper level.

Join us for one (2-3pm or 3-4pm) part or both parts of this workshop!

 

February

International Day of Women and Girls in Science - Community Chat & Snacks
Thursday, February 13
2:00 - 3:00 PM 
The Connector. Refreshments Provided.

February 11th is International Day of Women and Girls in Science: a day to recognize women and girls' critical role in science and technology, aiming for greater equity in these fields. Join us in The Connector for snacks and a community chat with and snacks to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and girls in the fields of STEM. Attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a Burke’s Cafe giftcard. 

 

Queer Student Association at Valentine’s Day Bazaar 
Tuesday, February 12 
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Connector

Join the Queer Student Association for gift-making activities as we celebrate that “love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love, it cannot be killed or swept aside†– Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

 

Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt! 
Co-sponsored by the Student Government Association
Wednesday, February 13 – All Day Long

Campus-Wide

Surprise! It's almost Valentine's Day and there are multicolored hearts scattered all around campus. Find the hidden hearts for a chance to win various sweet treats and prizes! You can redeem your prize by bringing your found heart to a staff member in Student Engagement. 

 

Ice Cream Social 
Tuesday, February 18
12:00 - 3:00 PM
SBA Lounge

Cravins Soft Serve & Frozen Yogurt will host a pop-up on campus. Stop by the SBA Lounge for a free scoop of ice cream. Yes, it’s the middle of winter but who doesn’t love free ice cream?!

 

The Possibility of Us: A Reading and Conversation on Community and Reclaiming Our Collective Power with author, Enzo Silon Surin
Wednesday, February 19
2:00 - 3:00 PM
The Connector   

In this 60-minute event, The Possibility of Us: A Reading and Conversation on Community and Reclaiming Our Collective Power, I will guide participants through a dynamic experience that intertwines poetry readings with facilitated dialogue. Together, we will explore how storytelling and language shape our sense of identity, belonging, and community, while also reflecting on how reclaiming the stories we tell can empower us to build a stronger, more inclusive future. As I share my poetry and selected works, I will facilitate an engaging conversation that invites participants to reflect on how their own stories connect to the broader narratives of our society. This event will challenge us to move beyond labels, embrace the full complexity of our identities, and consider how intentional listening and shared stories can foster empathy, connection, and transformation. This program is both a reflection and a call to action—a reminder that through storytelling, we have the power to reclaim our collective strength and forge communities where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. 

 

Pancake Brunch - Create a Student Affinity Club on Campus 
SBA Lounge - Success Center
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
 
Come eat pancakes (and fruit!) and use your voice during this student listening session. Let's build community at BCC together. We are collecting student input on creating a student affinity club on campus. 
Can't attend in person? 
 
Join us at next month's Student Listening Session & Taco Bar on Thursday, March 13 from 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
 



Contact Us

Celia Norcross, Dean of Students
cnorcross@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-1601

Toni Buckley, Special Assistant to the President for Mission, Values and Community Impact
abuckley@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-3075

Erica Barreto, Coordinator of Student Diversity Programs and Belonging
ebarreto@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-1613

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Hispanic culture and people from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15! What began as a week-long celebration in 1968 was expanded to a month in 1988 to recogni...
November is Native American Heritage Month. This month-long observance was first established in 1990 and recognizes the rich history, culture, and contributions of Native American peoples.