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Recruitment for the Madison College presidential search took place through mid-December. In February, a search committee—comprised of employees, students, and community members—reviewed applications, interviewed semifinalists, and provided finalist recommendations to the District Board.
On March 5, the board approved four finalists, who will now move forward in the process. Each finalist will visit the Madison College campus on the dates listed below.
Throughout this process, the board has reaffirmed its commitment to selecting the college’s next president by mid-April.
Finalist Candidates
Dr. Jennifer Berne
Dr. Jennifer Berne is the Provost of Oakland Community College, a multi-campus, comprehensive community college in Michigan. In this role, she collaborates with faculty, staff, community, and K-12 partners to provide educational opportunities in and for the community.
Berne began her career as a Community College faculty member and Department Chair. 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 Institute Rising Presidential Fellowship for community college leaders.
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 from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Northeastern University, and a bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan. In April 2025, she will complete her master’s degree at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Dr. Tim Casper
Dr. Tim Casper began service as the Interim President of Madison College in January 2025.
He joined the college in 2011 and has since led the Budget Office, Institutional Effectiveness, Marketing, and Technology Services units and served as the college’s accreditation liaison officer. In August 2020, he was named Executive Vice President of Student Affairs, with responsibilities for all aspects of student affairs, enrollment services, and inter-collegiate athletics.
Casper is a student advocate who believes it is the responsibility of the community college to support all students in achieving their highest potential. Combining data and collaborative practices, he has led efforts to improve student course success, increase student retention through intentional engagements, and expand student access through the creation of the Goodman South Campus.
Casper and his wife have two children who attended Madison public schools and two Havanese dogs – Pozy and Gus – who each enjoy barking at squirrels.
Casper earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Edgewood College.
Dr. Dawn B. Crim
Dr. Dawn B. Crim currently serves as UW-Green Bay's Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Community Engagement, and Inclusivity and is president of the UW-Green Bay Foundation.
Crim's career spans 29 years in state government and higher education administration in Wisconsin. Previous appointments include Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Assistant State Superintendent for Student and School Success at the Department of Public Instruction, and Associate Dean for the School of Education at UW-Madison. She spent 10 years on the Edgewood College Board of Trustees.
Crim’s community leadership includes the Board of Brown County United Way, past President of the Rotary Club of Madison Foundation, and past chair of The Overture Center for the Arts Community Advisory Board.
Crim recently completed the American Governing Board Institute for Leadership and Governance in Higher Education program. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership at UW-Madison, a master’s degree in education counseling from Penn State University and a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric and communication studies from the University of Virginia.
Crim enjoys biking, traveling, and reading. She and her husband, Elton Crim Jr., who teaches at UW-Madison, have two adult children.
Dr. Charles W. Lepper
Dr. Charles W. Lepper is President of Grand Rapids Community College, an institution serving nearly 25,000 students annually.
Before joining GRCC in 2023, Lepper was VP of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Salt Lake Community College. His experience includes leadership roles at Tidewater Community College and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana – System Office. Lepper has taught at the University of Utah, Indiana State University, Indiana University- Bloomington, Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, and Grand Valley State University.
He is active in the community, serving on boards for West Michigan Works!, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Foundation, The Right Place, Michigan Community College Association, and Junior Achievement of Michigan Great Lakes.
Lepper owns an antique Wurlitzer jukebox and has amassed a collection of over 1,300 vinyl 45-records.
Lepper holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources and personnel management from Ball State, an master’s in secondary, adult, and higher education from Grand Valley State, and a doctorate in educational leadership and foundations from Indiana State. He has earned certificates from Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management and a Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience from Florida State.
Forums
In addition to tours and meetings over the course of two days, each candidate will participate in separate forums with staff, students, faculty, and community members.
If you have questions you’d like to ask the candidates, you may submit them for consideration via this form by noon on Thursday, March 20.
Attend Forum In-Person
Forums will be at the Madison College Truax Campus in room D1630.
Parking will be available in Lot A, with entrance through the Gateway Entrance of the main Truax building.
Attend Forum Online
Links to join a forum online will be posted closer to the event.
Faculty and Staff Forums
Links to these forums and more information can be found in Matters and WolfNet.
Community Forums
5:15 - 6:15 pm
March 24 - Dr. Dawn B. Crim
March 27 - Dr. Charles W. Lepper
March 31 - Dr. Jennifer Berne
April 2 - Dr. Tim Casper
Faculty Forums
3:45 - 4:30 pm
March 24 - Dr. Dawn B. Crim
March 27 - Dr. Charles W. Lepper
March 31 - Dr. Jennifer Berne
April 2 - Dr. Tim Casper
Student Forums
10 - 10:30 am
March 24 - Dr. Dawn B. Crim
March 27 - Dr. Charles W. Lepper
March 31 - Dr. Jennifer Berne
April 2 - Dr. Tim Casper
Staff Forums
8:30 - 9:30 am
March 24 - Dr. Dawn B. Crim
March 27 - Dr. Charles W. Lepper
March 31 - Dr. Jennifer Berne
April 2 - Dr. Tim Casper
Candidate Selection
Based on the results of the candidate forums, the board’s intent is to select the next Madison College President in mid-April.
Presidential Search Advisory Committee
While selecting Madison College's next president is a board-driven process and will be managed by the college's search firm Gold Hill Associates, the board recognizes the value and importance of participation from the college employees, students. and the community.
Donald D. Dantzler Jr., Chair of the Madison College Board of Trustees, and Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Vice Chair, are leading the presidential search effort. Additionally, the board selected representatives from several key stakeholder groups. The committee is comprised of 16 individuals representing students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
The committee's purpose is to review, discuss, and finalize the presidential profile; review and recommend an initial list of semi-finalist applicants to the board; participate in semi-finalist interviews; and recommend candidates for the board to move forward as finalists who will visit Madison College.
Search Firm
Gold Hill Associates is dedicated solely to community college executive searches. Operating since 1990, Gold Hill Associates has assisted over 100 community colleges in searches for new presidents and executives. It works in colleges throughout the country, from small rural institutions to large urban college districts.
Questions
General questions related to Madison College’s presidential search can be directed to search@madisoncollege.edu.
To contact our District Board of Trustees for comment, please contact Mel Charbonneau, Madison College Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, at mcharbonneau@madisoncollege.edu.