Lori Berquam

Dr. Lori Berquam has more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education. Prior to joining MCC in July 2019, she completed a prestigious fellowship through the American Council on Education, serving in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Arizona, Tucson.

As an integral member of MCC’s leadership team, she leads academic and strategic enrollment, while planning and guiding the transformation of academic, occupational and student support programs.

Berquam is responsible for building a comprehensive system of Guided Pathways, a student-centered approach providing opportunities for informed choices. She is tasked with enhancing the transfer and workforce partnerships; supporting a broad range of student support and retention programs; implementing a strategic enrollment management plan; and promoting innovation and educational excellence.

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison she worked in the Division of Student Life starting in 2002, serving as Dean of Students and Vice Provost for Student Life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2007 to 2018. There she supported and advocated for students in countless difficult situations and was known for her fun-loving and quirky style that was showcased in student memes and videos. As American Council on Education Fellow, Berquam spend the year at UA, where she worked specifically with University of Arizona - South and 2 + 2 initiatives, the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation, and the Arizona Online efforts.

A former adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Arizona, she holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Colorado State University, a master’s in student affairs administration from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Psychology from Truman State University in Missouri.

Berquam is a first generation college graduate, and is the eldest of seven. She loves exploring challenging hiking trails and looks forward to some cycling, golfing, canoeing and kayaking in the Valley of the Sun.