Diane Adele Berge was born September 30, 1952 in Starbuck, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in teaching, from Mankato State University in 1978 with a master’s degree from the Counseling and Student Personnel Department, and from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a doctoral degree in Educational Policy and Administration.

Berge began working at Mankato State University as a graduate assistant in 1976 in the Vice President for Student Affairs Office. After she graduated with her master’s degree she was hired as Assistant Director/Community Relations and continued to work at Minnesota State University Mankato in various Admissions positions until her retirement in 2015. During this time she also had the opportunity to teach educational leadership courses and counseling and student personnel seminars.