As Berkshire County’s two public colleges search for new presidents, Berkshire Community College has moved further along in the process than Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, even though both institutions are aiming to install new leaders on July 1.

Berkshire Community College President Ellen Kennedy and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President James Birge both announced their retirements in early September. Both colleges hope to have new leaders secured in April, in time to ensure smooth transitions to new leadership taking office on July 1.

Berkshire Community College President Ellen Kennedy is retiring at the end of the academic year, and a search committee has been appointed to screen candidates to become the school's next leader.

MCLA's President James Birge is retiring at the end of the school year. The college's Board of Trustees has appointed a search committee to screen candidates for the role.

Because Pittsfield-based BCC and North Adams-based MCLA are state institutions, the search process is prescribed by state guidelines. In both cases, while the schools’ boards of trustees will choose from among finalists, the approvals will be made by the state Board of Higher Education.

Both schools have dedicated web pages for the presidential search, outlining the membership of their search committees and setting timelines for completion of search tasks. Both schools hope to present appointments for state approval in April.

Berkshire Community College's search committee, working with the consulting firm Academic Search, has posted a search timeline, advertised the position, and posted an 18-page profile of the job and the school. The profile describes the community, the school’s physical and financial condition and outlines the leadership agenda for the incoming president, among other details.

The BCC timeline projects initial interviews in January and February, followed by on-campus interviews in February and March.

The job description seeks a candidate with an earned doctoral degree and relevant experience. In “exceptional circumstances,” the requirements allow for an earned master’s degree, coupled with “substantial experience” relevant to the college’s mission and needs.

According to the description, the salary range is set between $240,000 and $300,000, as well as a housing allowance and vehicle benefit — a college-supplied car or car allowance.

The profile notes that the next president will enter the role amid a surge in BCC’s enrollment, driven by the state’s free community college initiative. That in turn creates “both tremendous opportunity and significant operational pressures.”

“Success in this role requires the ability to inspire, decide, advocate, and lead with both humility and conviction.”

The leadership searches come as the two institutions face differing enrollment trends.

According to state enrollment estimates released in late October, BCC had a fall 2025 headcount enrollment of 1,894, an increase of 2.7 percent over 2024 and 38.7 percent over 2022.

The same data shows MCLA with a fall 2025 headcount enrollment of 828 students — a 4.3 percent improvement over 2024, but a 1.1 percent decline from 2022.

According to MCLA's presidential search webpage, its search committee is looking for a president who understands and supports MCLA's liberal arts mission and supports and understands the importance of equity, inclusion and belonging. The committee is seeking a leader who will grow enrollment and raise revenue and support all members of the campus community.

The MCLA timeline calls for announcing the position in December, with recruiting in December and January and initial review of applicants in February. The college is working with WittKieffer as its executive search firm.

“The job description for MCLA's presidential position is not yet available. It's currently with the state for approval, which is our standard process,” said Bernadette Alden, MCLA’s director of communications and external relations. “As soon as the job description becomes available, it will be posted on our presidential search website."