// BWLI Higher Education Partner

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Overview:
The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is the higher education partner for the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative. President Mary Grant is actively involved in policy-making for BWLI as a Steering Committee member. Vice President of Administration and Finance, James Stakenas, provides leadership to the Initiative as co-chair of the Steering Committee.

MCLA’s education department is integrating technology into their education curriculum and also coordinating BWLI’s approach to professional development training. In this role, they provide training resources and curriculum development assistance to the schools as needed to supplement training conducted by school trainers and Apple Computer. The College fosters a strong partnership between the North Adams and Pittsfield schools, planning collaborative events and encouraging information sharing.

As part of their role in BWLI, MCLA is developing an instructional technology licensure program and an information technology concentration in their M.Ed program. They are also working to integrate technology into teacher education courses at MCLA, with the goal of preparing teachers who can enter the schools ready to use the technology that is available in the classrooms.

MCLA Staff Involved in BWLI:

• Mary Grant, MCLA President, Member, BWLI Steering Committee, mary.grant@mcla.edu
• James Stakenas, VP of Administration and Finance, Co-chair, BWLI Steering Committee, j.stakenas@mcla.mass.edu
• Ellen Barber, Chair, Education Department, ellen.barber@mcla.edu
• Emily DeMoor, Assistant Professor of Education, emily.demoor@mcla.edu
• Dawn Rodrigues, Assistant Professor of Education, dawn.rodrigues@mcla.edu
• Ian LaPort, Network Coordinator, ian.laport@mcla.edu
• Lisa Provencher, Academic Affairs, lisa.provencher@mcla.edu