Pictured above: Adam Watkins

July 30, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University President Dr. Chuck Johnson has announced that Adam Watkins has been appointed Assistant Vice President and Dean of the Vincennes University Jasper Campus. He will assume his position on Aug. 4, 2025.

Johnson said, “Adam Watkins emerged as a clear choice from a national search because of his proven leadership and commitment to student success and academic excellence. His reputation as an award-winning educator and respected administrator makes him an exceptional fit to lead VUJ.”

Watkins comes to VU from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Ill., where he served as Dean of Arts and Communication. Before Lincoln Land, he taught at East Central College in Union, Mo., serving as Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department. He also taught at Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., Blackburn College in Carlinville, Mo., and Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Ill.

He brings a wealth of experience in teaching and administration to the role. Watkins was named Missouri’s Community College Professor of the Year in 2017. 

He earned his Master of Fine Arts from Kent Institute of Art and Design in Canterbury, England, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Webster University. He received an Associate of Arts from Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill.

Watkins is poised to ensure that VU Jasper remains a vital resource in the region.

He said, “As I step into this role, I do so with deep respect and admiration of the incredible work that has already taken place at VU Jasper. The Jasper Campus is home to outstanding programs, dedicated faculty and staff, and vibrant partnerships with community and industry leaders. All of which have made a lasting impact in Jasper, Dubois County, and beyond. It really is an honor to join a community that has such a strong foundation, a clear sense of purpose, and a spirit of collaboration that reflects the very best of what higher education can be.”

As Watkins prepares to lead VUJ, he is committed to understanding the needs of all throughout the University and the greater community.

Watkins said, “Looking ahead, my priority is to listen first. When we do that, we seek to truly understand the hopes, challenges, and aspirations of our students, faculty, staff, and partners. By listening with intention and care, we can work together to empower one another, strengthen our connections, and co-create an even more dynamic future for the campus and the broader region.”

He added, “For VUJ students, that means investigating new ways to enhance support and remove barriers as we look to ensure that every learner has equitable access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. For VUJ faculty and staff, it means cultivating an environment of trust, innovation, transparency, and shared purpose. For our community and industry partners, it means deepening the collaborative relationships that make VU Jasper a catalyst for regional growth and workforce development.”

VU leaders express gratitude to Stephanie Stemle, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, for her service as interim dean over the past year.

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