Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) alumna Annie Pecor, Assistant Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools, was selected to receive the Massachusetts State Universities Educator Alumni Award. Pecor was honored at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall at the Massachusetts State House, alongside eight other educators from across the state's public university system.
The award, presented by the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents, recognizes graduates of Massachusetts State Universities who have made outstanding contributions to the field of education.
"Annie's accomplishments are a testament to the transformative power of a Massachusetts State University education. We are incredibly proud of her dedication to students and communities across the Berkshires, and it is a privilege to see her recognized on a statewide stage,” said James F. Birge, President, MCLA.
A Berkshire County educator for more than 15 years, Pecor began her career as a middle school English Language Arts teacher before rising through the ranks of educational leadership. This year, she was recognized by the MCLA Alumni Association with the Outstanding Educator Award. She earned both a master's degree in education and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from MCLA, and is a proud graduate of the MCLA Leadership Academy. She also holds a bachelor's degree from Siena College and earned her doctorate in education from the University of New England in 2024.
Throughout her career, Pecor has demonstrated a consistent commitment to student success and community-centered leadership. As a North Adams middle school teacher, she launched a peer mentoring program and a 7th-grade student council to cultivate student leadership. She later served as vice principal and then principal of Craneville Elementary School in Dalton, where she championed restorative practices, reduced behavior referrals, and guided the school community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most recently, as Director of Northern Berkshire Adult Education and 21st Century Programming, Pecor led the program to exceed enrollment targets, launched a thriving English Speakers of Other Languages program, added tutoring services, secured local transportation funding, and forged a partnership with McCann Technical High School for an adult Culinary Arts program. Under her leadership, the program achieved a Proficient rating from the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Beyond her professional work, Pecor volunteers as vice chair of the Berkshire Leadership Program and serves on the boards of Berkshire County Suicide Prevention, the Berkshire Food Project, and the Northern Berkshire United Way.