Jennifer Berne has been named president of Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin. Primarily a 2-year institution, Madison College enrolls over 13,000 students, 54 percent of whom are women. Dr. Berne is slated to take the helm of the technical college on July 1.
With over three decades of higher education experience, Dr. Berne has served as both an administrator and faculty member. She is currently the provost of Oakland Community College in Michigan. She assumed this position in 2020, marking a return to the college where she began her career as an assistant professor of English. Before her current role, she was vice president of academic affairs at Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts. She previously held leadership roles with Northern Illinois University and Harper College in Illinois.
In her scholarly work, Dr. Berne focuses on writing instruction, literacy, and faculty development. She has authored several books, including The Writing-Rich High School Classroom: Engaging Students in the Writing Workshop (The Guilford Press, 2008). As an Aspen Presidential Fellow, she is part of a national network of leaders dedicated to driving equitable outcomes at community colleges.
“Madison College is poised for transformative success, and I am honored to be part of it,” said Dr. Berne. “I was immediately impressed by the dedicated faculty and staff I’ve met, the engaged partners throughout the community, the beautiful spaces and facilities, and the incredible backdrop of the district Madison College serves. What stood out to me was the deep pride people feel for this college and the meaningful purpose behind everything happening here.”
Dr. Berne holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in English literature and composition from Northeastern University in Boston, and a Ph.D. in teacher education from Michigan State University. Earlier this month, she graduated with an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.