VINCENNES — Vincennes University President Dr. Chuck Johnson announced Thursday the permanent appointment of Jaci Lederman as Provost, Vice President of Instructional Services, and Dean of Faculty, effective June 1, 2026.
Lederman, a longtime VU faculty member and administrator, has successfully guided the university’s academic landscape as interim leader in these exact roles since July 2025. Her permanent appointment concludes a rigorous, highly competitive national search process steered by a dedicated committee of VU faculty and staff.
“Jaci’s vast experience and deep understanding of the university make her an exceptional fit for this critical role,” the administration noted in statements surrounding the transition.
Lederman’s journey with Vincennes University spans more than 15 years, moving seamlessly between the classroom and top-tier administrative offices. An alumna of VU herself, she joined the institution full-time in 2011 as a faculty member within the Information Technology Department. Over the next decade, she achieved the rank of full tenured professor and served as department chair for over five years.
Before stepping into the interim provost role last summer, Lederman achieved significant success spearheading the university’s digital modernization infrastructure. She served as the Director of Enterprise Applications before being named VU’s Executive Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO) in May 2023.
Her career highlights at VU include:
- Academic Innovation: Championing the university’s new Computer Science degree program.
- Advocacy: Founding the inaugural VU Women IN Tech Symposium and Showcase in 2024 to highlight women in STEM fields across Indiana.
- National Recognition: Earning the EC-Council Academia Circle of Excellence Award in Cybersecurity Education for her work in building technical curricula.
As Chief Academic Officer, Lederman will directly oversee VU’s diverse academic divisions, faculty resources, and innovative instructional design frameworks across all campuses.
The vacancy originally opened in June 2025 when former Provost Dr. Laura Treanor stepped down after seven years of transformative service to accept the presidency at Virginia Western Community College. Lederman was immediately tapped to provide steady interim leadership during the interim year, ensuring zero disruption to student programs or faculty operations.
In addition to her academic and technical credentials—which include an MBA in IT Management from Western Governors University—Lederman is heavily integrated into the local community, having spent more than two decades volunteering for the United Way’s Day of Caring and coordinating local philanthropic initiatives.
