The Madison College District Board of Trustees has selected four finalists for consideration as its new president to succeed long-standing President Jack E. Daniels III, who retired in January.
“The board is pleased with these exceptional candidates motivated to lead Madison College into the future,” Madison College District Board of Trustees Donald Dantzler Jr. said in a press release Wednesday night. “We are confident that through this robust vetting process, Madison College’s next president will possess the leadership skills and vision necessary to fulfill our extraordinary mission of student success, workforce development, and positive community impact.”
The Madison College Board of Trustees restarted the presidential search process last October after a finalist withdrew from the initial search, Madison College said in a press release. The board selected Madison College Executive Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tim Casper, to serve as interim president, following the retirement of longtime President Jack E. Daniels III in January.
Finalists will participate in candidate forums, including community events and visits to all Madison College campuses, in March. The board anticipates Madison College’s next president will take the leadership helm on July 1 of this year.
Bios from the finalist candidates, as supplied by Madison College, are as follows:
Dr. Jennifer Berne
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. Berne holds a PhD from Michigan State University, an MA from Northeastern University, and a BA from the University of Michigan. In April 2025, she will complete her MBA at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Dr. Tim Casper
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 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 Crim
Crim currently serves as the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Community Engagement, and Inclusivity. 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 Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at UW-Madison, an M.Ed. in Education Counseling from Penn State University, and a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communication Studies from the University of Virginia.
Dr. Charles W. Lepper
Lepper is president of Grand Rapids Community College, an institution serving nearly 25,000 students annually. Before joining GRCC in 2023, Lepper was vice president 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 holds a BA in HR and Personnel Management from Ball State, an M.Ed. in Secondary, Adult, and Higher Education from Grand Valley State, and a PhD 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 & Resilience from Florida State.
