VINCENNES, Ind., November 5, 2025 – The Vincennes University College of Health Sciences and Human Performance Dean Michelle Cummins will transition from her administrative role and return to a faculty position at the end of the current semester.
“Dean Cummins has been an extraordinary leader whose vision and dedication have elevated the College of Health Sciences and Human Performance to new levels of excellence,” Interim Provost Jaci Lederman said. “Her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and student success has had a lasting impact on VU and the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and are thrilled that she will continue sharing her expertise and passion in the classroom as a valued member of our faculty.”
Her tenure in this role showcases remarkable growth, pioneering innovation, and a strong commitment to collaboration. Cummins has expanded academic programs, developed new internship and apprenticeship pathways, and strengthened strategic partnerships with regional healthcare leaders, including Good Samaritan and Twin Rivers. She played a key role in planning VU’s new $33.9 million Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation, slated to open in January 2026. Her legacy of leadership and mentorship has strengthened both academic quality and community impact.
Cummins will continue to support the HSHP College’s transition and mentor its next leaders. She will continue to have an impact within the University as a faculty member in the College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.
King appointed HSHP Interim Dean
Dr. Jason King, an Assistant Professor of Nursing, has been appointed to serve as the Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Performance. His commitment to excellence in nursing education will be instrumental during this transitional period.
King said, “It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Dean Cummins, whose leadership has strengthened the College’s programs, partnerships, and community impact. As we move forward, I am excited to collaborate with our exceptional faculty, staff, and partners to build on that strong foundation and further elevate the College’s impact in healthcare education and workforce development.”
With more than 21 years of healthcare executive leadership experience and a strong record of service at both the state and national levels, King’s expertise will help drive VU’s mission of excellence in healthcare education. He previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at IU Health Morgan Hospital. King joined VU in May 2025. He also currently serves as the vice president of the State Board of Nursing, having been recently reappointed by Gov. Mike Braun. King also represents nurses as a Director at Large for the Indiana State Nurses Association.
King earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Executive Leadership from Indiana University. Before undertaking his doctoral work, he earned a master’s degree in Nursing Administration from Ball State University. His foundational nursing education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University, an Associate of Science in Nursing from Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, and a Practical Nursing certification from Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington. He also holds certifications in Executive Nursing Practice and Legal Nurse Consulting, as well as a Fellowship with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.
His educational experience reflects a commitment to both clinical nursing and high-level administrative and executive leadership in the healthcare field.
