Search | Menu President Berne launches 100 Conversations, connects with community
Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne served as both welcoming committee and campus guide as she greeted students on campus last week. “It’s been a long buildup to this day for all of us,” Berne says of her new role leading one of Wisconsin’s top technical colleges.
Since July 1, Berne has been crisscrossing the 12-county district, regularly visiting all seven college campuses.
Through a “100 Conversations” initiative, she aims to gather and understand the diverse perspectives from those invested in Madison College's success in meeting students' needs.
"We will move forward in unison," Berne says. "Embracing our commitments to students, ensuring we are doing everything in our power to help each individual complete their higher educational journey."
Her goal is clear: for Madison College students to complete their credentials, a milestone she sees as pivotal for graduates to earn higher wages, experience better health outcomes, and pass on the benefits of higher education to their children.
Embracing commitment to students
Berne saw that firsthand when she recently visited kids at the Truax Early Learning Campus, which provides a critical childcare resource to students who are parents.
"Our students' successful completion of a degree or credential can positively change the trajectory of a family," Berne says. "It also sets a standard for what we all want for the generation that follows: an opportunity to expand their horizons by knowing that higher education is a family tradition."
100 Conversations
The new president is also prioritizing outreach to K-12, higher education, and workforce development partners.
She is eager to continue the college's many partnerships with employers and industry boards to meet their skilled workforce needs.
Just last month, Berne congratulated the first cohort of the surgical technology apprenticeship program on their smart decision to upskill their credentials for a vital healthcare career. It is the first-of-its-kind program in the nation made possible by partnering with UW Health, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), and the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin.
It's just one example of the powerful collaborations Berne will continue to pursue to bring opportunities to students and positively impact communities.
Strategic vision
In early 2026, Berne will share takeaways from her "100 conversations" and introduce a strategic vision that builds on current strengths and future aspirations.
"I invite you to join me in embracing these commitments, because ultimately, to change student lives, we must change," Berne says. “The work is ours.”
Learn more about President Berne's leadership.
