Vance Durrington

Background

About Vance Durrington

I lead academic programs that solve real problems—for students, faculty, industry, and the communities we serve. My work focuses on strategic planning, accreditation, readiness, and improving student success outcomes. With over 25 years in higher education, I’ve directed departments and schools, developed new degree programs, secured grant funding, and built faculty teams that deliver results. My work focuses on aligning instruction with workforce needs, using data and design thinking to improve learning experiences, and leading organizational change in ways that are both strategic and sustainable. Some of the outcomes I’m most proud of include: Launching interdisciplinary programs that have grown enrollment and improved graduate placement. Facilitating external funding (including NSF grants) to support innovation in online instruction and instructor dashboard tools. Leading school and department-level rebranding efforts to better represent program strengths and attract diverse student populations. Supporting faculty through curriculum redesigns, assessment planning, and technology integration—without adding administrative overhead. I believe that higher education should be agile, mission-driven, and measured by its impact on learners and the communities they serve. That’s how I lead.