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.
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.