John C. Adams was named Vice President for Finance and Administration at North Dakota State University in August 2006. Adams came to NDSU from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he served as the director of financial planning and budgets from 2002 to 2006. Prior to his employment at UNC, he served as the director of budget and planning for Central Michigan University (1998-2002), as a senior financial analyst for Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia (1989-1997), and as an officer in the United States Navy (1983-1987). He brings over seventeen years of experience in budget preparation, cost management, and financial analysis to NDSU, along with five years of operations and personnel management with the US Navy.

Adams earned a bachelor's of science degree from the University of Michigan, Flint, in 1980, a master's degree in biology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1981, and a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1989.

Adams and his wife, Charlene, have one daughter and reside in Fargo.

As Vice President, Adams is responsible for the oversight of the Division of Finance and Administration, which is comprised of the departments of Purchasing, Facilities Management, University Police and Safety, Student Loan Service Center, Human Resources/Payroll, Budget, Audit & Advisory Services, and Financial Services (the offices of Accounting, Grant and Contract Accounting, and Customer Account Services.)