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.

While at VU, Johnson has overseen the development and growth of VU’s work-based learning partnerships with industry, including the Toyota Advanced Maintenance Technician program in Southwest Indiana and Southeast Illinois, the Advanced Internship in Manufacturing in Lafayette, the Career Advancement Partnership in Dubois County, the Machinist Internship Program, the Cummins Technical Apprenticeship program, Central and Hoosier INFAME programs in Indianapolis, and the Amazon Apprenticeship program in Mechatronics and Automation at Plainfield and Vincennes. Johnson has also been extensively involved in the expansion of VU’s Early College program, including the development of Career and Technical Education Early Colleges with Career Centers and Cooperatives across Indiana, reaching thousands of Hoosier students.

Among the most recent initiatives spear-headed by Johnson has been the creation of the Center for Applied Robotics and Automation and the development of a network of collaborative robot (cobot) labs throughout Indiana, in partnership with Telamon Robotics.

Passionate about student success, Johnson has overseen VU’s efforts to improve student retention, such as the creation of the Student Success Center, the development and implementation of a co-requisite remedial education program, and the redesign of learning support services, including university-wide tutoring resources. He has also led VU’s efforts to enhance international partnerships, including the establishment of several cooperative agreements and exchanges with schools and colleges in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Mongolia.

Since 2015 VU has made significant investments to its infrastructure, including significant renovations to VU sites in Vincennes, Jasper, and Indianapolis. New facilities added have included Jefferson Student Union, Updike Hall, the Agriculture Center, and the French Quarter Apartments.

Johnson came to VU from spent Purdue University, West Lafayette, where he served in a variety of program director roles in the Krannert School of Management, overseeing internationally-ranked full-time, part-time, and Executive MBA, and master of science programs as well as Krannert’s executive education non-degree programs. His experience also includes consulting for the American University of the Middle East in Kuwait, which opened its doors in 2008. Before Purdue, Johnson was Manager of Training and Development for National City Bank, Northwest (now part of PNC), and held several positions in academic and student affairs at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Johnson serves as a member of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet and as President of the Council on Accreditation of Two-Year Colleges. He serves as Secretary of the board for Knox County Indiana Economic Development and on the boards of the Regional Opportunity Initiatives and Vincennes University Foundation, and Talent 2025. Johnson is a representative to Conexus Indiana’s Advanced Manufacturing Council and recently completed a term as a Commissioner for the Midwest Higher Education Compact.

A native of Washington, Indiana, Johnson earned a Ph.D. at Purdue University, an MBA from Bowling Green, and a B.S. in Economics from Indiana State University. He and his wife, Sarah (VU ’80), have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.