Dr. Beth Jernberg received her bachelor's degree in HPE and English in 1974 from USF, then called Sioux Falls College. She taught and coached in Ellsworth, Minn., while completing her master's degree at the University of Northern Colorado. Then she taught for one year at Minot State University before returning to the University of Sioux Falls in 1979 as an instructor and head coach for basketball and softball. Dr. Jernberg completed her doctoral degree at the University of Northern Colorado in 1986.
Dr. Jernberg retired from USF in 2018 and was granted Faculty Emeritus status. She was presented with the A.O. Larson Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dr. Jernberg served as chair of the Fredrikson School of Education and directed the education graduate program. While in that position, she led efforts for the first national accreditation of the graduate program by NCATE. She has also spent a sabbatical semester living with a family in Costa Rica, learning Spanish. Dr. Jernberg served in the administration of the university from 1996-2003 as Vice President for Enrollment Services/Dean of Students and later as Dean of Faculty Development and Assessment. She then returned to full-time faculty status within the Fredrikson School of Education. In 2013, Dr. Jernberg had the opportunity for a sabbatical semester in full-time service with a local elementary school.
Dr. Jernberg was a member of the Peer Review Corps for the Higher Learning Commission. She served as a team member and team chair, and was recognized by the HLC for 25 years of service. She also served on the HLC Institutional Actions Council and as a Federal Compliance Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission.
Recently, Dr. Jernberg has taught part-time within the USF graduate program and also serves as an advisor in the dissertation process. Her main retirement interest is sharing her Bernese Mountain Dogs as therapy dogs in hospitals, senior centers, and schools.