James F. Birge, Ph值.D. 是12th 总统 of Massachusetts College of Liberal 艺术s (MCLA) in North Adams, Massachusetts and has worked in higher education for more than 30 years. Dr. 比奇花了很多钱 his early career in student affairs followed by work with faculty and staff to integrate community-based learning into academic course objectives before serving in executive 其他机构的职位.
总统 Birge has worked in public and private higher education as well as with an association of academic presidents. Although always an administrator, Dr. Birge has taught undergraduate courses in religious studies, writing, and leadership. 在此之前, Dr. Birge served as 总统 of Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.
Since his arrival at MCLA in 2016 Dr. Birge has also launched a strategic planning process to guide MCLA’s work for the next five years; encouraged the development of new academic majors, minors, and certificate programs; charged the 总统’s Athletic Advisory Committee to develop new athletic programs; budgeted to create a Chief Diversity Officer position, and; guided the $3 million Centennial Dining Room renovation and the $7 million conversion of the campus pool to a fitness and athletic training center.
As a member of the Boards of Directors for MASS MoCA, LEVER, Inc.伯克希尔哈撒韦公司，以及 the MountainOne Bank Community Advisory Board, Dr. Birge works to build collaborations between the College and the community.
Dr. 伯奇获得了博士学位.D. in leadership studies from Gonzaga University in Washington, 一个M.Ed. in guidance and counseling from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, 和B.S. in elementary education from Westfield State University in Massachusetts.
总统 Birge and Lisa, his wife of 33 years, have three daughters: Caitlin, Margaret, 和塞.
