expert directory

Expert Directory

Welcome to the Vincennes University Expert Directory. Our database is a curated list of diverse faculty and staff from Indiana’s First College. Our experts are available to assist the news media by sharing their insight into an issue or trending topic when journalists are working on stories related to a variety of topics. Our faculty and staff draw upon their extensive knowledge and research in their areas of expertise to help audiences better understand a story.

For assistance with interviews, contact External Relations at 812-888-4164 or VUNews@vinu.edu. If you are a journalist, please notify us of deadline requests and we will respond promptly.


Dr. Charles Johnson, Ph.D.

Workforce Development Partnerships, University Degree and Non-Degree Program Development and Administration, Organizational Assessments for Leadership and Technical Development Needs

Charles R. "Chuck" Johnson was appointed the 22nd President of Vincennes University in 2015, after previously serving as Interim President for four months. Johnson came to VU as Provost/Vice President for Instructional Services/Dean of Faculty and served in that capacity for three years.

Dr. Laura Treanor, Ph.D.

Strategic Planning, Leadership, Women in leadership, Team Building, Coaching and Mentoring, Higher Education, Instructional Effectiveness, Growth Mindset, Continuous Quality Improvement

Dr. Treanor has held the positions of faculty, Dean, Vice President for Academics, Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, and most recently, Provost. Over the course of her 30-year career in higher education, Dr. Treanor has served as an exemplary innovator and transformative leader who has developed high-impact teams, heralded new programs and services and championed academic quality.

Dr. Cynthia Ragle, Ph.D.

Elementary Education, Reading, Language Arts (middle school), Curriculum, Instruction

Dr. Cynthia Ragle is the Dean of the College of Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communication (SSPAC), SSPAC fosters critical thinking, creative expression, and intellectual curiosity. In classrooms, studios, and on stage, students are prepared for a variety of careers, and are equipped to prosper in the future. 

Dr. Aaron Bruck, Ph.D.

Science Education, Secondary Education

Dr. Aaron Bruck is an alumnus of Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA where he earned my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He earned his Ph.D from Purdue University in Chemistry/Chemistry Education.

Dr. Chuck Mansfield, Ph.D.

Agriculture, Agronomy, Commodity Crop Production, Corn; Soybeans, Wheat, Specialty Crops, Hemp, Canola

Dr. Chuck Mansfield joined VU in 1990. He began his college career by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University in 1976. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Florida which was completed in 1981. Mansfield also completed a Ph.D. at the University of Florida after which he came directly to work with VU.

Teresa Tarbuck, Ph.D.

Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Forensics

Teresa Tarbuck has a broad background in research including: developing and characterizing catalysts that remove sulfur from petroleum feed stocks, characterizing the surface structure of various polymers with and without humidity, and characterizing gas/water interfaces in the presence of environmentally relevant gases, organic molecules, and salts. Techniques used include gas tight systems, ultra-high vacuum, and laser spectroscopy.

Dr. Dale Pietrzak, Ed.D., LPC-MH(SD), CCMHC

Data Analytics in Higher Ed., Student Retention and Persistence, Test and Assessment Development

Dr. Dale Pietrzak (pronounced Pete's rock) oversees the areas of assessment, institutional effectiveness, and institutional research and serves as VU's Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) with the Higher Learning Commission. Pietrzak possesses extensive accreditation experience and has expanded the University’s use of business analytics to determine how the student population can be better served.

Curt Coffman, M.A.

Climate Change, Water Quality, Wildlife & Fisheries, Rivers, Streams, Lakes, Zoology, Marine biology, General Science, Science Education

Curt Coffman is the Dean of Science, Engineering, & Mathematics. He has taught undergraduate students for 24 years, including 14 at VU, where he was the Biology Department Chair for 6 years. He has been recognized by Folsom Lake College, Vincennes University, and the National Association of Biology Teachers for excellence in teaching. 

Michael Gehrich, M.A.

Aviation industry

Mike Gehrich is the Director of Aviation for Vincennes University, He manages the aviation maintenance and aviation flight programs for Vincennes University at the Aviation Technology Center.

Ty Freed, M.S.

Automotive Technology, Automotive Restoration, Automotive Painting, Paint Products, Collision Repair

Ty Freed is the Dean of the College of Technology. Freed is a Vincennes University Automotive Technology graduate. In addition, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology and a master’s degree in Industrial Technology from Indiana State University. He is a Master Collision Repair Technician, Master Automotive Technician, Master Engine Machinist, Master School Bus Technician, Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician, Automotive Advanced Level L1 Specialist, Alternative Fuels Technician, and Undercar Specialist. 

Christian Blome, M.S.

Internships and apprenticeships, Earn and Learn programs, Organizational Management

 

Christian Blome is Assistant Vice President and Dean of the Vincennes University Jasper Campus. Blomen’s tenure in higher education has included Enrollment Management, Marketing, Community Engagement, Fundraising, and Campus Administration. He has created unique partnerships between education, industry and community to providing students access to rewarding careers.

Marcia Martinez, B.J.

Journalism, Public Relations

Marcia Martinez was hired as VU’s University Life Reporter and Sports Information Director in 2018. She works closely with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders to tell the VU story in the most authentic and always inspiring way.

Louis J. Caprino, Jr., CPP, FCIO, CHS-V

The FBI, Domestic and International Terrorism, Emergency Management, Corporate Security, The role of the FBI Legal Attache, international law enforcement, intelligence services, Federal Law Enforcement, Counter Terrorism, Counter Intelligence, Homeland Security, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Basic Cybercrime

Caprino’s FBI assignments included service in New York, Indianapolis, and FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. From 1998-2003, Caprino served as the FBI’s Legal Attache and was accredited to the U.S. Embassies in Canberra, Australia; Wellington, New Zealand; Suva, Fiji; and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Jessica Zellers, LCSW, ACSW, MSW

Social Work Field, Healthcare, Addictions, Schools, Child Welfare, Mental Health Service Providers

Jessica Zeller is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Work at Vincennes University. Prior to beginning her career at VU in 2014, Zellers worked as a licensed clinical social worker in a variety of settings, and she loves getting to share those with the next generation of social workers! Zellers teaches introductory-level sociology/social work classes, as well as those that focus on addictions, sociological aspects of death, and the real-life practice of being a generalist social worker. She holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in Social Work.

Jaci Lee Lederman, MBA-ITM

Executive Leadership, Project Management, Strategic Organizational Planning, High Performing Team Dynamics, Risk Management, IT Compliance and Auditing, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, CISO, Community Service, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Logistics, ERP Systems, Web Development, Data Warehouse Management

Jaci Lee Lederman is the Chair of the Information Technology Department. She is a certified PMP – Project Management Professional, with over twenty years of experience working in all areas within Information Technology and the supply chain. Jaci is a CISO-Certified Information Security Officer and an EDRP-EC-Council Disaster Recovery Professional.

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