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Vincennes University announces College of Health Sciences and Human Performance leadership changes

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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. 

1000 TACOS & COOKIES – FEED THE COMMUNITY EVENT Cookie Plug / Best Coast Tacos

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Cookie Plug & Bestcoast Tacos to host “Oh Snap”  community event, giving away 1000 Tacos, Cookies and Lemon Shake Ups to feed the community.
Evansville, IN – November 5, 2025 – Cookie Plug, the wildly popular cookie brand known for its thick, indulgent cookies and hip-hop-inspired culture and BestCoast Tacos that serves up unique flavor with So-Cal Style Mexican food are teaming up with Uncle G’s Lemon Smashers to provide a free meal to the community that includes 2 Tacos, Lemon Shake Up and a Cookie.  Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 1pm!
Cookie Plug’s corporate headquarters relocated from SoCal to Evansville in 2023. Earlier this year, BestCoast Tacos food truck began serving the community, bringing a new flavor of SoCal Style Mexican Food to the area.
“Bringing Cookie Plug and BestCoast Tacos to Evansville is more than just opening another cookie and mexican food shop—it’s about sharing the energy, the culture, and, of course, the thickest and fattest cookies and bringing SoCal Style Mexican Food Flavor to area, which is completely different than what is currently found in the city. We are new in town, Evansville is now our home. The community has offered us a warm welcome. We understand that times are tough for many and we want to give back” said Erik Martinez, Founder of Cookie Plug and BestCoast Tacos, “Having our HQ here means we’re not just another cookie and mexican food shop—we’re part of the community, creating jobs and baking up something special and servin up dishes with huge flavor for Evansville.”
To give back, Cookie Plug and BestCoast Tacos will be doing a free community event, feeding the community with 1000 Tacos, Lemon Shake Ups and Cookies, the event will be one-day-only giving away 2 Tacos, lemon shake up and a cookie, available only on Saturday, March 29.
“We posted about this event a day ago, within an hour, Jay from Uncle G’s Lemon Smashers saw the post and wanted to join in, that speaks volumes about the community. So now everyone gets a complete meal, Tacos, Cookies and a Drink ” said Lauren Martinez, Co-Founder. “Our businesses are more than just business—it’s about creating a vibe, a community, and a place where people can come together over something sweet and unforgettable.”
Store Details:
Event Location: 2110 W Franklin St, Evansville, IN 47712. Next to Bud’s Rockin’ Country Bar
Event Start Time: 1pm
Event Date: November 9, 2025
Join Cookie Plug and BestCoast Tacos and enjoy a hot meal and experience Evansville’s freshest, fattest, and most flavorful cookies and Tacos done SoCal Style.

YOUNG REPUBLICANS MEETING

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Network, Learn, Get Involved, Take Action

Join us at the Foundry with other like minded college students to learn about your role in local government, your future within the political sphere, staying informed, and various other ways to shape the great state of Indiana. This meeting is open to students who currently attend or recently graduated UE, Ivy
Tech, and USI.

November 07, 2025
5:00 PM
100 N Main St, Evansville, IN
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/vzkWchm3NP78MZ1QA

EWSU Temporarily Suspends Water Shutoffs and Late Fees in Response to the loss of Federal Food Assistance

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The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) is taking steps to help ease the financial burden faced by thousands of Vanderburgh County residents who recently lost access to federal food assistance. As of November 3, EWSU is suspending all water shutoffs and late fees for 90 days. These temporary measures are intended to provide some relief to customers who might fall behind on their utility bills.
While water shutoffs and late fees are suspended, customers remain responsible for timely payment of their water and sewer services. It is important for customers to contact EWSU Customer Service as quickly as possible to set up payment arrangements to help reduce outstanding balances on their account. Setting up payment arrangements will allow customers to make smaller payments over time while keeping their account in good standing.
Customers who are currently behind on their bills are encouraged to contact EWSU Customer Service about payment arrangements as soon as possible to avoid falling further behind.
Use this link to learn more about payment arrangements: https://bit.ly/4nEVPYr

Gov. Braun invests in Main Street through local partnership in Spencer County

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Braun’s economic development strategy improves access to health care and child care

This project will revitalize part of Richland’s Main Street, turning blighted property into multi-use commercial buildings, including a new family medical practice to improve health care access for the community.

“This is exactly the kind of project our READI 2.0 investments were built for: pairing private investment with state support to bring new life to Main Streets and create opportunity for Hoosiers. Congratulations to Richland for their leadership on this project that will improve health care access and child care access.”  — Governor Mike Braun

State Rep. O’Brien: Small businesses impacted as shutdown drags on

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STATEHOUSE  – Small business loan disbursements remain halted due to the federal government shutdown, negatively impacting Indiana’s small and locally owned businesses, said State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville).

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), over $13 million in SBA loan distributions meant for Indiana businesses have been delayed each week during the shutdown, around $58 million in total. O’Brien said that members of the U.S. Senate have failed to pass a funding bill that would allow the federal government to reopen and resume distributions.

“This shutdown hurts Hoosier small businesses who count on stability from their federal government,” O’Brien said. “The Senate must come to the table and pass a funding bill so our local economies and job markets can get back on track.”

SBA data suggests that approximately 26 SBA-backed loans in Indiana are unable to be approved each week during the shutdown. Additionally, an estimated 39,000 civilian federal workers in Indiana are affected through furloughs or unpaid while still working,potentially reducing their spending levels.

In a press release sent last week, O’Brien shared his concerns about uncertainty over Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits also being delayed, negatively impacting vulnerable families and children in Indiana.

O’Brien said he is continuing to monitor the situation, and if the shutdown continues for an extended period, small businesses could be impacted even further.

Rapist and murderer to remain behind bars thanks to Attorney General Todd Rokita’s appeals team

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A murderer and a rapist will remain behind bars after Attorney General Todd Rokita’s legal team secured unanimous victories at the Indiana Court of Appeals, upholding lengthy sentences in two brutal violent crime cases.

“Our office works tirelessly to keep Hoosiers safe from the worst of the worst—from white-collar fraud to cold-blooded killers,” said Attorney General Todd Rokita. “This rapist and this murderer don’t deserve to walk free, and I’m proud that the appellate court agreed with our arguments to keep them locked up and out of our communities for good.”

Nashawn Stephens was sentenced to 75 years in prison for the 2022 murder of Tychius Derrickson in Mishawaka. Stephens and an accomplice lured Derrickson to an apartment under false pretenses, brutally beat him, dragged him outside, and shot him three times. Stephens claimed insufficient evidence—no eyewitness, no confession, no gun. The Court of Appeals rejected his appeal, finding overwhelming circumstantial evidence—including witness testimony, timing, physical evidence, and Stephens’s post-crime behavior—sufficient to support the jury’s guilty verdict.

In a separate case, Jorge Juarez Lopez was sentenced to 60 years for breaking into a 17-year-old victim’s home in 2023, holding a knife to her throat, raping her, and threatening to kill her and her sister if she reported the assault. Lopez was convicted of two counts of Level 1 felony rape, two counts of Level 5 felony intimidation, and Class A misdemeanor counterfeit government-issued identification. He argued on appeal that the trial court should have granted a mistrial after the victim had an emotional outburst in court. The Court of Appeals upheld the denial of the mistrial, affirming that the trial judge’s strong admonition to the jury cured any potential prejudice.

The Attorney General’s Appeals Division represented the State in both cases. Both rulings were unanimous and reinforce Indiana’s commitment to justice for victims of violent crime.

Four Aces Earn All-Conference Honors

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ST LOUIS –Following a season in which the program saw its highest win total since 2021, the University of Evansville women’s soccer team placed four student-athletes on MVC All-Conference teams, the league office announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Junior Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) earns all-conference honors for the second time in her career, landing on the All-MVC Second Team after being a Third Team selection in 2024. Johnson took her game to the next level in 2025, posting single season career-highs in games played (16), starts (16), assists (3), points (9), shots (18), shots on goal (13), and minutes played (1,034). Johnson scored three goals on the year, ranking second on the team.

Brielle LaBerge (Cumming, Ga./Forsyth Central) enjoyed a breakout campaign as a sophomore in 2025, starting all 16 matches while playing 1,422 of a possible 1,440 minutes. While serving as an anchor of the Evansville defense, LaBerge was also one of the top offensive threats in the conference, finishing the regular season second in the MVC with five assists and first in assists per game at 0.31. LaBerge also added a goal to finish the year with eight points, while placing eight shots on target.

Allie Lammers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the MVC this year to earn Third Team all-conference accolades. Serving as Evansville’s primary keeper, Lammers posted a 6-4-2 record with five shutouts in 13 matches. Lammers ranked inside the top 100 nationally in goals against average (1.00), the lowest mark by a UE primary starter since 2020. For the year, the sophomore made 46 saves for a .793 save percentage, including eight matches with four-plus saves. Over the course of the season, Lammers earned three MVC Goalkeeper of the Week awards, the most by a Valley keeper this season while marking the first time an Evansville keeper has been named MVC Goalkeeper three times in a single season since Simone Busby in 2014.

Lily Kytasaari (Platte City, Mo./Platte County) lands on the MVC All-Freshman Team following a stellar debut season with the Purple Aces. Playing in all 16 matches with one start, Kytasaari logged 498 minutes and scored two goals, becoming one of four Aces to score multiple goals on the season. With the nod, Kytasaari becomes Evansville’s first All-Freshman team selection since Hailey Autenrieb in 2021.

 

USI Theatre presents Xanadu as first main stage show of the 2025-26 season

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University of Southern Indiana Theatre continues its 2025-26 season with the mainstage opener Xanadu, written by Douglas Beane and directed by Joshua Robinson, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday, November 20-23 at the USI Performance Center.

USI Theatre is proud to partner with The Actor’s Equity Association to bring in professional partners to work side by side with USI students on this production. The show will feature Jon Froehlich, a professional actor, as Danny, and Maggie Kayes, a professional stage manager, will return to work with USI Theatre.

With music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and based on the massive flop film from 1980, Xanadu follows the journey of a Greek muse whose mission is to inspire the artist Sonny Malone to invent the apex of all artistic endeavors, a roller-skating disco! Antics and hijinks ensue in this madcap spoof of the original Razzie-award winning movie, featuring songs from the original soundtrack and hits from Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. The show is an all-out spectacle that promises to transport the audience back to the decade of decadence.

Joining Robinson on the production team are Brynne Stephens, Assistant Director and Senior USI Theatre student; Tom Drury, Advanced Instructor in Music and Musical Director; Kaitlyn Mayse, Choreographer; and Emma Marshall, Associate Choreographer and junior USI theatre student. Performing alongside  professionals will be USI seniors Ethan Hoover, LillyBea Ireland and Rayn Miller; juniors Morgan Ray and Eric Meyer; and sophomores Kris Carlos, Amy’a Dallas and Reagan Foray.

Tickets are $2 for USI students, $10 for USI employees, $4 for non-USI students (student ID required), $10 seniors (60+) and $12 for adults. Tickets are free to USI students with ID one hour before each performance begins based on availability. Shows start at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 20 through Saturday, November 22 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 23 for the matinee.

Scott Harris ’07 named 2025 USI Distinguished Accountant

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Scott Harris ’07 has been named the recipient of the 2025 University of Southern Indiana Romain College of Business Distinguished Accountant Award. The award was announced by Michael B. Carroll ’88, Chief Financial Officer at Heritage Federal Credit Union, and Andrea Medcalf ’17, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager at Traylor Bros., Inc.

Harris is Controller at Traylor Bros., Inc. where he oversees financial operations and leads shared services teams across the Traylor Construction Group. He has guided multiple mergers and acquisitions, spearheaded innovation and continuous improvement efforts and leads the company’s R&D tax credit initiatives. Through the Traylor Family Foundation, he helps direct charitable giving that uplifts countless lives.

Harris has served as a Girl Scout troop leader, has volunteered with the Harrison Instrumental Music boosters and is a long-time supporter of the United Way, Breakthrough T1D, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Habit for Humanity.

He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from USI in 2007. He started his career in public accounting and moved into the role of Controller at Summit Contracting, and then transitioned to Traylor Bros., Inc., where he has served since 2013.

The Distinguished Accountant Award has been given annually since 2004 by the USI Romain College of Business in conjunction with the USI Accounting Circle and recognizes professional achievement, service to the region and/or University and service to the accounting profession.

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