Jennifer Braaten is an experienced educator and higher education administrator whose career has included service as faculty member, chief academic officer and college president. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota and began her career teaching at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels. She later earned master’s and doctoral degrees in education from Florida Atlantic University.
Braaten held several senior academic leadership positions at Lynn University, including academic dean, provost and vice president for academic affairs. During her tenure, she worked extensively with students with learning differences and helped lead academic operations and institutional planning.
She later served as president of Ferrum College in Virginia and Midland Lutheran College in Nebraska. Prior to her presidency at Ferrum, she served as chair of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Since retiring from full-time executive service, Braaten has completed interim college leadership assignments and worked as a higher education search consultant. Her experience in accreditation, governance, academic affairs and institutional leadership contributes to the work of Beacon College’s Board of Trustees.