Turina R. Bakken is the Provost at Madison College. In this position, she oversees all Academic Schools, the University Partnership Center, continuing and professional education, business development, workforce and economic development, faculty development, academic planning and innovation. She also serves on the President’s Cabinet and the College Assembly. In her 19 years at the college, Bakken has served as Vice Provost, Associate Vice President, Dean, Associate Dean and program director/faculty member. She was awarded the Distinguished Teacher of the Year award in 2006 and received the College’s Outstanding Employee in 2010. In 2016, she received the Dr. Idahlynne Karre Exemplary Leadership Award from the national Chair Academy.
Her professional experience includes positions in both the private and public sector as product manager, marketing/promotions director, and program/communications director. She has held management positions with Funjet, The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Executive Education and MAQIN (Madison Area Quality Improvement Network.) In addition, Bakken has served various industries as a marketing and strategic planning consultant and has served as an adjunct instructor for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Lakeland College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Executive Education division.
Bakken holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Administration (ELPA) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, she holds a Master of Science in Marketing and Organizational Theory, a BBA in Marketing with a Specialization in International Business, a BA in French Area Studies, and a certificate from the Faculte des Lettres in Aix en Provence, France.
For nearly 15 years, Bakken also served as color commentator for UW Women’s Hockey radio and television broadcasts and hosted a sports radio show on the BIG1070 and ESPN radio. She is still a member of the broadcast team for televised games. She currently holds board of director positions with the Madison College Foundation, Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC), Ady Advantage and the SouthCentral Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE). She is a former Board member TEMPO, an executive women’s leadership group, and Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA). Bakken is an avid golfer, Badger and Wolfpack fan, and is game to travel anywhere in the world.
