expert directory

Dr. Laura Treanor, Ph.D.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Michael Gehrich, M.A.

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.

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.

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.

Larry Caplan, M.S.

Horticulture, Trees, Landscape Plants

Caplan is a Certified Arborist and is Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. He was a founding member of the Indiana Urban Forest Council, and served on the Indiana Arborist Association Board until 2015. He has been a board member of the Wesselman Nature Society in Evansville Indiana from 2003 to the 2013, and has chaired their Education Committee. He has also served as an appointed member of the Evansville Tree Advisory Board since 2001.

Newton Lee, M.S.

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Game Design, E-sports

Newton Lee is a visiting professor of Information Technology, specializing in game design and artificial intelligence. He is the editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of Computer Graphics and Games, president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships, and the author and editor of numerous academic books in science, technology, and society.

Marcia Martinez, B.J.

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

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

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

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.