Profiles from the Pack: President Jennifer Berne

From meeting with community leaders, befriending Wolfie and running the Celebrate a Nurse 5K, Dr. Berne has found plenty to love during her first year as president, getting to know the people who make Madison College special.

What's one thing you've learned from Madison College students this past year that has stayed with you?

This just happened at the beginning of this semester, but I know it will stay with me: A student was confused about the room number for his class. As we looked at his schedule, I noticed that the location was Watertown, not Truax. He looked at me so earnestly and asked if I would call his instructor to tell her he might be a few minutes late, as he was hopping in his car and driving the unexpected 45 minutes back to Watertown.  He didn’t want to miss the first day. His dedication, flexibility and enthusiasm for education really stayed with me. 

Madison College mascot Wolfie insisted we ask this next question. Did you ever imagine you’d be best friends with a wolf?

Wolfie is a very good listener and a creature of few words.  I talk to people all day long, and I love it, but sometimes you need a friend that just exists quietly near you.  Wolfie is great at that.

If you could step into anyone’s role at the college for a day, what would it be and what would you want to learn?

I would work at the front desk at one of our campuses.  I am fascinated and impressed by the staff there who serve students, sometimes in two languages, in so many different ways. They seem like superheroes to me. 

I want to learn about the experiences of students who are just starting college, finishing their high school experience with us, acquiring English language skills, or pursuing a new profession.  I would like to stand in the shoes of those who work with them to see how they make students comfortable, solve their problems, and welcome them to our spaces.

You’ve had the opportunity to experience WolfPack Athletics during your first year. What has been a favorite game or moment?

One of my favorite moments was watching the volleyball team beat Harper College last year.  I worked at Harper for many years and knew people in their athletic program, and it was very satisfying to watch us win.  Go WolfPack. 

We’ve noticed your fabulous shoes over the past year. Is there a story behind your collection, and how do you choose the right pair for the day?

No story, really, but I have always liked shoes.  During the pandemic, when I was home for so many months, I lost my competency with high heels, but I am gaining steam and getting it back!

Your parents are solid Madison College social followers. Did they offer any advice when you became Madison College president, and did you follow it?

They have always supported me! They especially love Madison College and are very engaged.  They may be our biggest West Coast (Northern California) fans! They know when we have a weather closing, the soccer game score, or when a student does something extraordinary.  They are on it. 

You participated in your very first Madison College Celebrate a Nurse 5K last May. What do you remember most about the experience?

I love running and have always loved small community races.  I always learn a lot about the community by just running through the neighborhoods and around the area.  I didn’t appreciate the great feeling of Reedsburg until I ran through it. 

I met a student who had benefited from the Celebrate a Nurse scholarship the year before.  He was the oldest of a large family and his father was there with the newest baby.   His father was so enthusiastic of all that Madison College had done for his son and how he had found a home there. I have a feeling that we'll have the privilege of serving more of his siblings in the future. It was wonderful to meet that family.

When you're out on your marathon training runs, is it a playlist, podcast, or peace and quiet? 

Podcasts…100% of the time.  I am taking recommendations if folks have them.  I like listening to interviews with interesting people, long-form news stories, sports commentary, and programming focused on social justice, politics, economics and books.

You’ve met with many community partners in the past year; what have you learned from them?

Everyone has some connection to Madison College. We have so many shared interests, and I’ve found Madison and all our branch communities in Fort Atkinson, Portage, Reedsburg and Watertown welcoming. Networking is one of this area’s favorite pastimes.

What’s one thing that you wish more people in our community knew about Madison College?

I wish they would come into our campuses and open all the doors. 

One thing I think we do extraordinarily well is set up learning spaces that look like the places students will be working or learning in the future.  We have an operating room, hospital rooms, ambulances, construction spaces, restaurant, shop floor, hair salon, vet clinic, optometric retail space, and so much more. It's all set up so students can practice their growing skills in places that look like the actual places they want to work.

You can see learning happening.  When people view this real-time, hands-on education, they understand Madison College in a deeper way.

Five years from now, what do you want people to be saying about Madison College, and how are you helping to shape that future today?

I want them to continue to rely on us as the talent pipeline for our region. I hope and know that when they see a workforce shortage or new industry requiring talent, they will turn to Madison College. 

I want them to ask everyone they encounter doing excellent work—electricians, dental hygienists, computer technicians, graphic designers, accountants—where they got their first credential. And I want the answer to be Madison College, a place that creates opportunities for everyone while fulfilling the needs of our community.

We are shaping that by hiring and nurturing excellent faculty, by providing wraparound services for students, by focusing on equitable outcomes, and by prioritizing completion of high-demand, high-wage credentials.