Laurie Pieroni is a Bristol graduate, who earned her degree in 1996. In 2004, she
became a founding staff member at Bristol’s new Attleboro center and has witnessed
the location’s progression, from its humble beginnings at a former high school into
a full-service campus. The Marketing & Communications Department recently connected
with Laurie to learn more about the Attleboro campus and her two decades at the college.
Are you a Bristol Graduate?
Yes, I graduated cum laude from Bristol Community College’s Business Administration
program in 1996!
How long have you been at Bristol?
I have worked at the college since 2004, for just over 20 years now. I have spent
my entire career at Bristol in Attleboro, beginning at the college’s first location
on 35 Country Street in a former high school building.
Tell me about your background
I grew up in Fall River and attended Durfee (High School), where I met my husband.
We moved to Attleboro 28 years ago and have two boys, ages 10 and 19, and a dog!
Actually, my mother worked in the payroll department at the college for almost 30 years and as a teenager, I would walk to the Elsbree Street campus to borrow her car.
What drew you to work at Bristol specifically?
I was working at a private firm at the time, with a very long commute, and heard about
a new role at the college assisting with the college’s new Attleboro location. It
was exciting to be opening the campus location and was a much better work-life-balance
for beginning a family.
What does a typical day look like for you?
(Laughs) There is no typical day, and that’s why I love my job. One day, I might be assisting with administrative duties
or problem solving during a weather event, and another day I may be helping a student
register for classes or supporting a student who needs someone to talk to.
How do you support students at Bristol’s Attleboro Campus?
I am often the first contact for students and the first office they visit on campus,
so I try to assist with all aspects, from applying to the college to helping students
with myBristol (Bristol’s online student portal) once they are enrolled. I also help connect students
with resources, such as information technology services or the office of disability
services.
What types of changes have you witnessed?
The Attleboro campus began as a much smaller center at 35 County Street before moving
to our location on 11 Field Road, in the former Texas Instruments facility. The campus
now includes more than 16 staff members, a high-tech microbiology lab and learning
commons, as well as a newly added Zoom room for students accessing services or communicating
with faculty at other locations. We can now assist with almost every service the college
offers.
What makes Bristol Attleboro special?
I would say the people - the students, faculty and staff and community make Bristol
Attleboro special. It may sound cliche, but it really is a work family. The doors
(to offices) at the Attleboro campus are always open and we all step in to help, no
matter what our roles are. It is so important for a smaller campus to assist as a
team, rather than as one individual.
What are some student engagement opportunities available to learners at the Attleboro
Campus?
There are several ways to connect at the Attleboro campus, with events such as Pizza
and Politics (current events discussion) and Coffee with the Dean. We also host raffles,
art events and ambassadors of college clubs, and we participate in larger college-wide
initiatives, like the recent Chalk the Walk (suicide prevention) event.
What are some of your personal interests outside of the college?
I love spending time with my family and friends. My sons are very involved in the
Boy Scouts of America, as my oldest is an Eagle Scout, and my youngest is moving into
the Boy Scouts, so we spend a lot of time together outdoors or camping. My favorite
thing to do is sitting around a campfire, and talking or playing games with my family,
just taking advantage of our time together.