Todd Watkins

Dr. Todd Watkins serves as Assistant Dean for Dental Education and Informatics and Associate Professor at East Carolina University (ECU) School of Dental Medicine. He holds a DDS from UNC Chapel Hill (1990) and a BA in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill (1985). His career includes founding VitalSource Technologies, pioneering e-book platforms, and developing the XComP competency assessment system. He was recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2013.

• Education: BA Psychology (UNC 1985), DDS (UNC 1990), AEGD (UT Health San Antonio 1991)

Research focuses on educational technologies, outcomes assessment, and competency-based evaluation. He developed XComP - a system integrating competency hierarchies and assessment methodologies across didactic, skill-based, and problem-based learning environments. His innovations include social media-driven critical thinking assessments and patented outcome analysis frameworks.

Notable achievements include filing U.S. and international patents for XComP (2011-2013) and leading ECU School of Dental Medicine to receive the Apple Distinguished Program Award (2013). His work with VitalSource established foundational e-textbook technologies globally recognized in media like New York Times.

• Awards: Apple Distinguished Educator (2013)

Advisory roles include curriculum development at ECU and technology consulting for health science institutions. He maintains active involvement in professional organizations like the American Dental Education Association.