Dr. Adam Watkins Promoted after more than Two Decades of Service to the Students of UIW

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce Dr. Adam Watkins’ promotion to Dean of the School of Media and Design. Watkins served as Assistant Dean there for the past three years and joined UIW in 2000.

Watkins has dedicated his career to empowering students through designing and launching new academic programs. He founded the UIW Department of 3D Animation & Game Design where he taught for over 20 years. An accomplished author and game/training studio owner, Watkins has written over a dozen books and hundreds of articles. He previously owned and operated multiple game, augmented reality and training studios, serving clients such as the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the McNay Art Museum and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“In today’s dynamic and challenging creative arts market, I’m honored to work alongside a passionate faculty dedicated to empowering our students,” says Watkins. “We are nimble, forward-looking and committed to preparing lifelong learners who are technically skilled, socially engaged and collaboratively empowered to make a difference in their families, their workplaces and their communities.”

Watkins is a native of the Rio Grande Valley and holds a BFA in Theatre and an MFA in Art from Utah State University. He earned his Ph.D in Education from Texas Tech University, where his research explored women and other historically underrepresented groups in game creation environments. Passionate about design, play and communication, Watkins continues to develop innovative programs that foster student growth, prepare graduates for successful careers and meet the evolving needs of creative industries.