Claudine Dufrene, Ph.D, RN-BC, GNP-BC, CNE, has accepted the role of executive dean of the Carol & Odis Peavy School of Nursing at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. She joined UST in 2013 after teaching in baccalaureate nursing programs at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans and the UT Medical Branch in Galveston. In 2020, Dufrene accepted the position of director of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. The following year, she served as the division dean of Undergraduate Programs at the PSON. Since April of 2022, she has carried out the responsibilities of the nursing school’s interim executive dean. And in June of this year, her permanent position as executive dean was formalized.   

Dufrene Has What It Takes

Dufrene demonstrates the qualities essential to successfully leading a school of nursing: the ability to establish strong relationships internally and externally, manage fiscal resources, guide strategic development, and understand the regulations of governing agencies.

“I am honored to serve as executive dean of the Peavy School of Nursing and work with an extraordinary group of faculty and staff dedicated to the success of our students,” Dufrene said.

“Our mission to ‘educate nurses intellectually, morally, and spiritually in the art and science of nursing as a compassionate healing ministry’ is at the heart of all that we do and is our greatest strength,” she continued. “We frequently hear stories about the uniqueness of our graduates and the positive impact they have on patients and families. My focus has been, and will continue to be, on student success and providing resources to achieve that goal.”

A View toward the Future

Dufrene asserts her vision for PSON in the future is to provide holistic care practitioners to the community and expand PSON’s offerings in nursing education to reach across Texas and nationally.

“We have expanded the capacity of our accelerated BSN program with the recent opening of our Sugarland site. Our graduate program continues to grow with the increased interest in our Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and three tracks in our Master’s in Nursing program.”

Dufrene’s lengthy experience and unwavering commitment to fostering wellness and advancing the holistic education of nurses ensures a highly competitive PSON.