Search | Menu Led by the District Board of Trustees and President Dr. Jennifer Berne, Madison College continues its proud tradition of providing open access to quality higher education that fosters lifelong learning and student success for our diverse communities.
A Message from Dr. Berne
Hello, Madison College community:
I’m honored to join you as Madison College’s new president and to lead an institution whose impact I’ve admired for years. With seven campuses across our 12-county district, Madison College is a critical access point and partner in bringing education and opportunity to every corner of our region.
From my very first moments on campus, I’ve been inspired by the creativity, dedication, and bold ideas I see everywhere. Madison College’s reputation for excellence rests on the passion of our faculty, staff, and partners who lead rather than follow, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.
In the months ahead, I’ll be listening, learning, and gathering insights from everyone invested in Madison College’s success: employees, students, partners, and beyond. Your perspectives will help shape our priorities and guide how we build on our strengths.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. Together, we will continue deepening our ties with employers, community organizations, and each other, ensuring every student has the support and resources they need to thrive.
I look forward to all we will accomplish.
Dr. Jennifer Berne
President, Madison College
About Dr. Jennifer Berne
Dr. Jennifer Berne became the ninth Madison College president on July 1, 2025. Her 30-year career in higher education includes classroom and administrative experiences as a professor, researcher, department chair, dean, vice president of academic affairs, and provost.
She began her career at Oakland Community College, teaching English and English as a Second Language. She went on to hold research and teaching positions at Oakland University and National Louis University as well as increasingly responsible leadership roles at Northern Illinois University, Harper College, and Berkshire Community College. In 2018, she completed the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship for community college leaders.
Most recently, she served as the provost for Oakland Community College in Michigan.
She has authored or co-authored five books on literacy education as well as written and consulted on best practices in the teaching of writing. To maintain a close connection to the classroom and her discipline, she continues to teach in higher education.
Dr. Berne holds a doctorate in teacher education from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in English from Northeastern University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Michigan. She graduated with her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in May 2025.
She and her husband, also an educator, have four children.
Getting to Know Dr. Berne
Welcome and Journey
Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne reflects on the journey that brought her to lead one of the region’s most well-respected colleges. From her roots as an English teacher to decades of experience across two- and four-year institutions, Dr. Berne shares how a lifetime in education prepared her for this moment.
Community College Strengths
Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne highlights the life-changing impact of community colleges—for students, families, and communities. Reflecting on her own return to school as a “very, very” adult learner, she praises the powerful and diverse mix of student experiences that make community colleges so dynamic.
Leadership, Influences and Experiences
Her experience as a mother and the advice of mentors have helped shape Dr. Jennifer Berne, Madison College president, as an educator and leader. She details why it’s important to overcommunicate and why controlling what you can, especially when so much is uncontrollable, is a key to effective leadership.
Why Madison College?
Why Madison College? President Dr. Jennifer Berne shares how she was attracted by the college’s reputation, and the pride she felt from students, staff and faculty. She also saw a great fit between the school’s vision and strengths and her personal values and approach to education. And it didn’t hurt that the Midwest college town felt like home.
The Student Experience
Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne shares why creating a “sticky” student experience is key to student success. A sticky college experience builds connection, support, and resilience and helps keep students in the classroom when other forces may make it convenient to quit.
Transition to Role of President
Dr. Jennifer Berne reflects on becoming President of Madison College, honoring past leadership while sharing her vision. She addresses student success, the importance of community connection, and the value of national collaboration and knowledge sharing. Hear how she plans to build on a strong foundation and lead the college into its next chapter.
Community and Workforce Development
Dr. Berne highlights the vital, two-way relationship between Madison College and its workforce partners. She identifies key areas of collaboration and opportunity to align education with evolving industry and community needs. This creates pathways for students to thrive locally, building a skilled, engaged, and lifelong-learning community.
Looking Forward
As she makes Wisconsin her new home, Madison College President Dr. Berne is looking forward to exploring Wisconsin’s mix of urban and rural life and settling into the college town vibe of Madison. She's eager to make this her long-term home, learn more about the state, and share it with her family during holidays and visits.
Hobbies and Excitement
A lifelong runner, Madison College President, Dr. Berne discusses what she gets from running, including stress relief and the opportunity to get to feel like an athlete. She has run many marathons and is looking forward to becoming part of the Madison running community and taking on the Madison Marathon this November, sporting a Madison College shirt, of course.
Taking on the Role of President
Dr. Berne outlines three focus areas for her first months: helping one more student succeed each day, improving initiatives though ongoing assessments, and honoring the deep disciplinary knowledge across Madison College students, faculty and staff. She’s going to do all this and still plans to get her 8 hours of sleep!
Getting to Know Dr. Berne | Full Length
Get to know new Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne's journey, her vision for the school and why community colleges, like Madison College, are both life-affirming and life-changing.
Get in Touch
If you’d like to connect with Dr. Berne or schedule a visit, please contact the President’s Office at president@madisoncollege.edu. We welcome your questions and ideas and look forward to meeting with you.