July 18, 2024
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is pleased to announce Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has appointed three new members to its Board of Trustees, Darlene Rodowicz, Dr. Yvonne Spicer, and Buffy Lord ’98 who was voted to represent the MCLA Alumni Association. All three trustees begin their terms of service this summer.
“I’m excited to welcome Dr. Spicer, Ms. Rodowicz, and Ms. Lord as our newest MCLA
trustees,” said MCLA President James F. Birge. “They are extremely accomplished professionals
who will add a wealth of knowledge to the Board and I am grateful they agreed to join
us."
The three new trustees join a board of distinguished volunteers chaired by Mohan Boodram,
who has served on the Board since 2012 and also served as Chair from 2020-2022.
“I am pleased to welcome three members who have shown such dedication to the communities
they serve,” said MCLA Board of Trustees Chair Mohan Boodram. “I look forward to working
with these new outstanding trustees and am honored to serve alongside them on a Board
that boasts such a diverse range of talent.”
Darlene Rodowicz
As President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and a lifelong resident of
Berkshire County, Darlene Rodowicz has dedicated her career to advancing the health
and well-being of the community she loves.
Rodowicz joined BHS in 1984 and has served on the system’s Executive Leadership Team
since 2005. She has played a crucial role in the evolution of BHS through her various
leadership positions, including ensuring the financial strength of the organization
during her 15 years as Chief Financial Officer.
She also frequently steps forward as a community leader and advocate, having served
for years as chair of both the Berkshire Community College Board of Trustees and the
Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee. Rodowicz joined the board of the Massachusetts
Health & Hospital Association in January 2023, where she leads the Standing Committee
on Finance. Additionally, she actively serves on the board of directors for the Berkshire
Business Roundtable and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.
In 2023, she was recognized by The Women’s Edge with a statewide honor as one of 10
Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare. Rodowicz holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting
from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a master’s degree in business administration
from Western New England College.
Dr. Yvonne Spicer
A Framingham, Massachusetts, resident and longtime educator, Dr. Yvonne Spicer is
currently the Executive Director of Life Science Cares, Boston and an adjunct lecturer
at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is also a highly sought-after speaker
on the topics of leadership, STEM, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dr. Spicer was the first mayor of Framingham, serving from January 1, 2018-January
1, 2022. Prior, she served as the Vice President for Advocacy and Educational Partnerships
at the Museum of Science, Boston and as an administrator for the Framingham and Newton
Public Schools.
Dr. Spicer was appointed to the Massachusetts governor’s STEM Advisory Council in
2010 and reappointed in 2017. She was instrumental in establishing the 2001 Massachusetts
technology/engineering curriculum framework and the first ever kindergarten-12th grade
assessment for technology and engineering. Dr. Spicer has also served as an advisor
and content expert to the National Governors Association and as a consultant to numerous
states on technology and engineering standards, strategic leadership development,
and business engagement.
Dr. Spicer has served on the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the Massachusetts
Office of the Treasurer’s Economic Empowerment Trust Fund, the Climate Mayors Taskforce,
and the Standing Committee on Ways and Means, and as a Town Meeting Member. From 2017-2020,
she served on the board of directors of the International Technology and Engineering
Educators Association and is currently on the board of directors of The Plumbing Museum,
the Bob Moog Foundation, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest.
In 2016, MCLA conferred an honorary doctorate of humanities on Dr. Spicer at its 117th
Commencement exercises.
Buffy D. Lord, Esq.
A practicing attorney with the North Adams based law firm of Donovan O’Connor & Dodig,
LLP since 2005, Buffy Lord’s main practice area is civil litigation but her work with
the firm encompasses multiple practice areas, including personal injury and workers’
compensation, domestic relations, municipal law, and appellate work. She is licensed
to practice in Massachusetts and Vermont.
Beyond her professional experience, Lord has a direct understanding of the importance
of MCLA and public higher education in providing access and opportunity to students.
As a 1998 graduate of the College, she has committed herself to the stewardship of
the institution through her volunteer work in leadership roles with the MCLA Alumni
Association (2007-2011, 2018-2021), the MCLA Foundation (2009-2018 and 2023-present),
and the MCLA Board of Trustees (2012-2018), as well as her financial support through
the establishment of an endowed scholarship fund to help provide educational opportunities
to current and future students.
Lord currently serves on the board of 18 Degrees and previously served on the board
of Community Legal Aid. She earned her juris doctorate from Pepperdine School of Law
in 2003.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA
is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully
empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 129-year commitment
to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top Ten Public Colleges for nine consecutive
years, ranking No. 7 for Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for a third year. The
College's continued commitment to affordable education and economic prosperity is
reflected in its inclusion on U.S. News' list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for
Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019; MCLA is No. 1
in the state, No. 2 in the country, and No. 22 for National Liberal Arts Colleges.
These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell
Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
