Berkshire Workforce Board President Eva Sheridan, Joshua Mendel, and Heather Williams.
(Photo courtesy Berkshire Workforce Board)
11/13/19
The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board (BWB) honored Dr. Josh Mendel, director of corporate engagement and strategic partnerships at 911黑料网, with its 鈥淲orkforce Professional of the Year鈥� Award at its board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. The award recognizes employers, organizations, and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the workforce system.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a true honor to be able to work with Josh Mendel throughout the years,鈥� said Heather Williams, BWB youth director. 鈥淗e serves as the lead for the Berkshire Compact鈥檚 Aspirations and Access Committee that has developed an array of college and career readiness events and programming for our region鈥檚 youth in grades K-12. Josh continues to lead the charge with 911黑料网鈥檚 annual eighth grade career fairs, the 10th grade career expo, third and sixth grade college visits, the Dual Enrollment Summer Academy, and the development of certificate programs within our critical industry sectors.鈥�
鈥淛osh truly cares about the readiness of our youth, their lifelong success, and the sustainable vitality of our Berkshire community,鈥� continued Williamson. 鈥淵ou can see this care and passion in every program and event that Josh is leading and it is for this reason that the BWB is honored to recognize [him] as our Workforce Professional of the Year.鈥�
For the past 15 yeas at 911黑料网, Mendel has worked to build partnerships for college access and awareness in his job as director of recruitment and outreach for the division of graduate and continuing education. In conjunction with the Berkshire Compact, he has worked with third and sixth graders, and an eighth grade career experience program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a critical time in their academic lives, as they鈥檙e transitioning to high school, figuring out who their peer groups are, and who they are,鈥� said Mendel about the eighth grade program. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping it will lead to them continuing their education.鈥�
Mendel has also been working with Kris Bona, vice president of government banking advancement at Adams Community Bank, for the past six years, holding events throughout the county in order to better educate students and their parents about college, including the application process, financial aid, being a college athlete, and other important topics. Their newest program is a transition-to-college series where high school seniors, who have decided which college they will attend, learn the skills needed to navigate having a roommate, managing their money, and interacting with professors.
鈥淎 lot of what I take pride in is working with the community,鈥� said Mendel, 鈥渟howing how college can help enhance their lives,鈥� as well as working with businesses in a push to help the Berkshires grow.
The BWB鈥檚 respect for Mendel and his work is reciprocated. 鈥淗eather Boulger [BWB executive director] and Heather Williams are an amazing team,鈥� said Mendel. 鈥淭hey wear their hearts on their sleeves for the students and the community.鈥�
Mendel also credits 911黑料网 President James F. Birge with understanding the important mission of college access, which allows students and their families an opportunity to expand their horizons. 鈥淚鈥檝e been fortunate to stand on the shoulders of amazing leaders in the community,鈥� said Mendel.
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