Candidate Information

The Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce three finalists for the position of District Chancellor following an extensive national search. A search committee, composed of faculty, staff, students, and community members, conducted semifinalist interviews in February and recommended finalists to the Board.

Bryan Renfro, PhD Naomi DeWinter, EdD. Jennifer Berne, PhD.

Bryan Renfro, PhD.

Bryan RenfroBryan Renfro, PhD., currently serves as President of John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois. His career spans multiple institutions and roles, including Vice President of Academic Instruction at Paris Junior College in Texas, Associate Vice Provost of Academic and Workforce Affairs at Tyler Junior College in Texas, and Dean of Business and Public Services at Hawkeye Community College in Iowa. His extensive experience also included roles in academic and technical training, including in areas of public safety training, institutional effectiveness, and workforce development. Throughout his career, he has continued teaching anthropology and criminal justice courses.  

A native of Kingston, Tennessee, Renfro earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education with an emphasis in Community College Leadership from Iowa State University.  

Renfro said he is drawn to Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ mission to expand access to high-quality, student-centered education while fostering economic growth and innovation. He believes community colleges serve as engines of opportunity, helping individuals pursue their dreams and transform their lives. He wants to use his leadership experience to contribute to EICC’s continued success by strengthening partnerships, enhancing student support services, and ensuring every student has the tools and resources to achieve their goals.  

Renfro believes student success is not a one-size-fits-all concept and true success comes from meeting each student where they are—academically, personally, and financially—while providing the support and guidance to help them navigate their path. He said he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, flexible, and student-focused learning environment where individuals can grow, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.  

Renfro said he strongly believes great leadership starts with a steadfast focus on student success. Early in his career, Dr. Becky Paneitz, retired President of Northwest Arkansas Community College, gave him this advice: "Bryan, we are going to do great things, and we are going to do that because we are going to do what's right for our students." He said this principle has shaped his decision-making, reinforcing his commitment to always prioritizing students and their needs.

Forums: March 3 and March 4

  • Zoom: Monday, March 3 | 12 – 1 p.m. | https://eicc-edu.zoom.us/j/98133866778
  • Clinton Community College (CCC): Monday, March 3 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Room 139
  • Muscatine Community College (MCC): Tuesday, March 4 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Student Center
  • Scott Community College (SCC): Tuesday, March 4 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Student Life Center

Naomi DeWinter, EdD.

Namoi DeWinterNaomi DeWinter, EdD., currently serves as President of Muscatine Community College and EICC Vice Chancellor of Student Development, a role she has held within her decade-long tenure at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. Her career in higher education has spanned a number of leadership roles, including Vice President of Student Affairs at North Central Michigan College. She also serves as an adjunct instructor in the Doctorate of Community College Leadership program at Ferris State University in Michigan.

DeWinter began her higher education career as an admissions recruiter at Michigan-based Oakland Community College, where she said she developed a passion for helping students navigate their academic and career pathways. 

DeWinter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Language and International Trade, a master’s in College Student Personnel, and an EdD. in Community College Leadership. Prior to coming to Muscatine, she lived in Petoskey, Michigan, where she worked closely with students and communities to expand access to high-quality education.  

DeWinter said she believes EICC is on the brink of something great and  has the talent, determination, and community partnerships needed to become one of the Midwest’s best community colleges. After spending 10 years working with the dedicated faculty, staff, and students who make EICC exceptional, she said it would be a privilege to lead the institution into its next and best chapter.  

DeWinter said student success is measured not just by enrollment, but by completion. She believes the full value of an EICC education is realized when students earn a credential, transfer seamlessly to continue their studies, or enter the workforce in a rewarding career. She said ensuring students have the support, resources, and opportunities to reach their goals is at the heart of her leadership philosophy.  

One of the most impactful lessons DeWinter has learned is the importance of maintaining balance in leadership and service. A mentor once told her, “You can’t only pour out your energy for others. You will be on empty. You have to fill up your bucket with the things that bring you joy.” She said this philosophy has guided her leadership approach, emphasizing the importance of balance, resilience, and a commitment to both professional excellence and personal well-being. 

Forums: March 10 and March 11

  • Zoom: Monday, March 10 | 12 – 1 p.m.| https://eicc-edu.zoom.us/j/98909534738
  • Clinton Community College (CCC): Monday, March 10 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Room 139
  • Muscatine Community College (MCC): Tuesday, March 11 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Student Center
  • Scott Community College (SCC): Tuesday, March 11 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.| Student Life Center

Jennifer Berne, PhD.

Jennifer BerneJennifer Berne, PhD., currently serves as Provost at Oakland Community College in Michigan. Her career has spanned multiple institutions and roles, including Vice President of Academic Affairs at Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts, Dean of Liberal Arts at Harper College in Illinois, and faculty positions at National Louis University and Oakland Community College, where she also served as English Department Chair.  

A lifelong Midwesterner, Berne has lived and worked in and around Detroit and Chicago for most of her career. She earned a Ph.D. in Teacher Education from Michigan State University, a Master of Arts in English from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan. She is currently completing an MBA at the University of Michigan, with expected graduation in April 2025.  

Berne said EICC’s role as a multi-campus institution deeply embedded in its communities is one of its greatest strengths, and she is eager to be part of its dynamic environment. She believes the success of a community college is inseparable from the success of the people it serves. She said she envisions a college where hospitals turn to EICC for the next generation of healthcare professionals, early childhood graduates shape the region’s classrooms, and local businesses rely on the college for workforce development. Berne believes EICC is an ideal blend of individualized campus identities and has the strategic benefits of a system-wide perspective. She is excited to explore new ways to enhance student success through collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and community partners. 

Berne believes student success is the fulfillment of an educational aspiration. This can take many forms—walking across the stage at commencement, transferring to a four-year university, securing meaningful employment, or inspiring family and friends by modeling academic achievement.   

Berne approaches leadership with a deep respect for the expertise and dedication of those around her. A mentor once advised her that the key to effective leadership is not just setting the vision but ensuring that those responsible for execution have the tools and support they need. She said this advice led her to adopt a leadership style centered on collaboration, always asking, “What tools do you need so this initiative will succeed?”  

Forums: March 12 and March 13

  • Zoom: Wednesday, March 12 | 12 – 1 p.m.| https://eicc-edu.zoom.us/j/93669967487
  • Clinton Community College (CCC): Wednesday, March 12 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.| Room 139
  • Muscatine Community College (MCC): Thursday, March 13 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Student Center
  • Scott Community College (SCC): Thursday, March 13 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Student Life Center