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

Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield Transfer Fair
Representatives from the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield will be on campus to speak with prospective students and faculty and staff.
Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., SBA Lounge

Working with a Disability: To Disclose or Not Disclose
»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ Career and Disability Services presents Working with A Disability: To Disclose or Not Disclose a fireside chat with special guests from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and individual(s) with disabilities to share their decision-making process on disclosing their disabilities. Whether you are an individual with a disability, an ally, or advocate, join us as we discuss the why, when, what, and how of workplace disclosure.
Nov. 6, 2 - 3 p.m., SBA Lounge

Test Anxiety: Can it be Overcome?
Learn strategies to reduce test anxiety and help you do better on test day.
Nov. 7, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Student Support Center

Kurzweil 101
Gain hands on experience using Kurzweil (bring your laptop if you would like to follow along), the text to speech web app that helps students engage with course materials more efficiently. 
Nov. 12, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., G12

How to Navigate the Job & Internship Search
If you are planning to start a job or internship search, attend this workshop for some tools and best practices for success.
Nov. 13, 2 - 3 p.m.,

Self-Advocacy: Redefining Confrontation
For many people, confrontation is a dirty word and something to be avoided. But what if we told you that confrontation can be positive and bring about win-win situations for everyone involved? Join us as we explore how to have constructive conversations with respect and kindness.
Nov. 19, 2 - 2:30 p.m., Melville 103

Questions? Email Academic SUCCESS

Meet Your SUCCESS Team

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

    Contact: lisham@berkshirecc.edu

    Lyndsay has been the Director of Academic Advising and Coaching since August 2023 after serving as an Academic Counselor, Student Advising Coordinator, and Director of Academic and Transfer Advising 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)
    Academic Counselor

    Contact: cmirer@berkshirecc.edu

    Cheryl Mirer came 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 Counselor

    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 and Career Counselor

    Contact: sburdick@berkshirecc.edu

    Sarah Burdick is an Academic and Career Counselor. 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 came 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