Dumestre named vice president for Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs

Saint Mary’s welcomes Marcel J. Dumestre, Ed.D., as vice president for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs and professor of Education. Dr. Dumestre will begin his new position on June 1.

Dr. Dumestre comes to Saint Mary’s from Regis University, Denver, Colo., where he served as professor and academic dean of the College for Professional Studies since 2006. Dr. Dumestre supervised the deans of four schools within Regis University College for Professional Studies, comprised of 12,000 students and 700 faculty, and had oversight of all distance education offerings on seven extension campuses with 5,000 students enrolled in totally online degree programs.

Dr. Dumestre holds a Doctor of Education degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., a Master of Religious Education from Loyola University, New Orleans, La., and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. He is published in the areas of educational philosophy, religious education and educational technology.

“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Dumestre join us in this important leadership role,” said Brother William. “He brings energy, enthusiasm and a wealth of experience that will help the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs continue our tradition of excellent education and help existing and new programs grow in significant ways.”

Dr. Dumestre will supervise a leadership team at the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs that includes Linka Holey, associate vice president for Academic Affairs; the deans of the SGPP: Dushan Knezevich, Merri Moody, Tracy Lehnertz, Don Winger, Rebecca Hopkins and Gena Bilden; and Lindsay McCabe, director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership. Dr. Dumestre and the leadership team have responsibility for graduate and professional programs administered from both the Twin Cities and the Winona campuses.