Academic Success Coaching

What is Academic Success Coaching?

Looking for SUCCESS Workshops?

Academic Success Coaching is a support that gives you the opportunity to:

  • Establish connections with multiple offices across »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ and navigate barriers to increase success
  • Identify and build upon your learning style
  • Learn how to self advocate
  • Explore and discover interests, goals, and success strategies
  • Achieve an increased executive skillset by developing organizational and time management skills to help reach success
  • Create goals and develop action plans for academic, career, and personal development goals to succeed in college and beyond

Contact Us

Email Academic Success
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ Academic Success Center logo

What are the benefits of working with a Coach?

  • Tailored individual experiences
  • Opportunity to strengthen skills needed for success
  • Individual support related to your academic needs and goals
  • Improved personal skills and behaviors
  • Strengthened work life balance
  • Improved interpersonal skills
  • Increased confidence in your own success
  • Enhanced self-awareness of goals and skills
  • Personable relationship building
  • Making connections with »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ
A visual graphic depicting how the various components of academic success coaching work together to help students meet their requirements and achieve their goals

Upcoming Workshops


Academic Resource Exploration - A Tour

Ever wonder what resources »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ has to offer to support your academic journey? Join two super fun coaches for a tour-based workshop around campus to locate resources like Tutorial Services and the Writing Center. Meet us by the One Stop Welcome Desk by 1:00 pm.
September 17, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, One Stop Welcome Desk

Major & Career Exploration
Do you know what kinds of careers you can pursue with your major? Are you undecided about what you want to study in college? Attend this workshop to explore different majors and careers that would be a great fit for you.
September 18, 10:00 - 11:00 am,

Silencing Your Inner Critic
It’s normal to feel out of place or doubt yourself occasionally. But if you have these feelings most of the time, you may be experiencing imposter syndrome, or in other words – your inner critic. Join Personal Counselor Anne Haywood and Academic Success Coach Sarah Burdick to learn what imposter syndrome is, and brainstorm strategies to quiet those thoughts. Refreshments provided.
September 25, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Hawthorne 111

Art Therapy Workshop #1
Begin and close the semester with creative exploration of your college experience through art therapy. Join us for a fun, expressive, and stress-relieving workshop! (Workshop 1 of 2 in the Art Therapy Series)
September 25, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Koussevitsky 118

Resume Review Day
Stop by Melville 103 or drop in on a Mircosoft Teams call for a 15-minute resume and/or cover letter review with a career coach or OLLI mentor. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your writing skills or looking for guidance on creating a resume, we can help! »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ career coaches and OLLI mentors are ready to offer one-on-one support for your resume goals.
October 1, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Melville 103 and

Self-Care Series: 5 Affirmations to Improve Your Academic Attitude (Workshop #1)
Affirmations are great tools to create positive transformations in your academic experience and life outside of the classroom. Attend this workshop to learn more about this powerful practice of shifting your mindset. (Workshop 1 in the Self-Care Series)
October 2, 2:00 - 3:30 pm, Hawthorne 111

Questions? Email Academic Success

Meet Your SUCCESS Team

  • Lyndsay Isham-Morton (she/her)
    Director of Academic Advising and Coaching

    Contact: lisham@berkshirecc.edu

    Lyndsay was named Director of Academic and Transfer Advising in October 2022 and assumed leadership of Academic Coaching in August 2023 after serving as both an Academic Counselor and Student Advising Coordinator at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ. She provides leadership and oversight of academic and transfer advising and academic coaching and partners with faculty and staff to continuously improve the support services we offer. Well-versed in »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ's advising software, Lyndsay offers workshops for faculty, staff, and students on how to make the most of our technology. As a first-generation college student, she loves helping students understand how to navigate their college experience and make the most of their time at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ. Lyndsay earned her BA in Political Science from William Smith College and her MA in counseling from Johnson State College. Originally from Vermont, she now lives in Pittsfield with her family and is at home on the sidelines of the softball field watching her girls play the sport they love.

    Lyndsay Isham-Morton
  • Cheryl Mirer (she/her)
    Special Programs Coordinator – Academic SUCCESS Coach MassReconnect

    Contact: cmirer@berkshirecc.edu

    Cheryl Mirer is an Academic SUCCESS Coach for the »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ SUCCESS Program. Cheryl generally works with MassReconnect/students who are 25 and older. She comes to »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ with over 25 years experience in a variety of fields including teaching, fundraising, event planning, leading small non-profit organizations, and higher education. Cheryl grew up in Burlington, CT and earned a Bachelor of Fine Art and Art History at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master of Science in Arts Administration at Boston University. Cheryl is a painter, printmaker, and mixed media artist and serves on the board of the »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ Art Center. Cheryl loves dogs, hiking, yoga, gardening, cooking and helping others. She is passionate about the »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ community and wishes to make a difference in people’s lives.

    Cheryl Mirer
  • Eric Nystrom (he/his)
    Academic Success Coach

    Contact: enystrom@berkshirecc.edu

    Eric earned his bachelor's degree from Nichols College majoring in psychology. He continued his studies at Springfield College where he received a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, specializing in student personnel in higher education. He has served at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ in a variety of roles since 2005. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach.

    Eric Nystrom
  • Sarah Burdick (she/her)
    Academic Success/Career Coach

    Contact: sburdick@berkshirecc.edu

    Sarah Burdick is an Academic SUCCESS/Career Coach for the SUCCESS Program. She earned her bachelor's degree from MCLA majoring in Psychology. Sarah is certified as an Out Alliance Safe Zone Trainer and has prior experience in academic coaching/advising, multicultural affairs, and student records. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and her two pets, a cat and a dog.

    Sarah Burdick
  • Dana Buxton (she/her)
    Academic Success Coach

    Contact: dbuxton@berkshirecc.edu

    Dana Buxton is the Academic SUCCESS Coach for the Disabilities Resource Center. She comes to »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ with more than 15 years of experience supporting diverse populations to heal, grow, and achieve their life goals. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Stanford University and her master's degree in Psychology, with a focus in Ecopsycholgy, from Antioch University Seattle. Originally from Texas, she loves the natural beauty of the »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵs and is an avid birder.

    Dana Buxton