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Dr. John Doucet, interim dean of Nicholls State University’s the College of Arts and Sciences, has officially been named dean, pending approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
“I am very humbled at what was an overwhelming support for my candidacy, and I will work very hard to build the college,” Doucet said. “I will make sure that our teachers have what they need to do the best job that they can.”
Doucet has been with the college for 13 years, three of those years as head of the Biological Sciences Department. He also spent nine years in charge of the honors program.
Under his leadership, some of Doucet’s plans for the college include multidisciplinary initiatives that would attract students as well as provide creative opportunities for both faculty and students.
“I am planning a study on the intricacies of the Bayou Delta history and culture,” Doucet said. “This has never been done at the university faculty level, and I would like to establish a cultural center here at the university.”
Doucet indicated that there would be additional programs, but that they are only in the planning stages.
As he takes the charge of the department, Doucet comes to table with a long list of accomplishments as a researcher, administrator and educator.
“I am human geneticist, and I have also done minor side projects studying the genetics of lovebugs, nutria and crawfish,” Doucet said. “I study mainly human genetics, and I recently toured the state talking about genetic issues in Louisiana. Some of my stops included speaking to historical societies about their ancestors.”
Doucet, who was born and raised in Golden Meadow and graduated from South Lafourche High School, became Louisiana’s first certified public health geneticist in 2010. He has also secured more than $1 million in competitive research grants.
He has also given 150 extramural presentations, published letters and full-length publications, including stage plays and history books, and hosted workshops.
“I also do poetry readings,” Doucet said. “It’s a very diverse college, so I guess I fit in well.”
“Dr. Doucet brings with him an extensive knowledge of the university and the community it serves,” Dr. Laynie Barrilleaux, vice president for academic affairs, said in a press release. “He has been involved in projects and research related to both the arts and sciences, and his leadership is particularly evident through the continued growth of the University Honors Program. I am pleased to have him as part of our team of academic administrators and welcome the wealth of experience he has gained while moving through the academic ranks to the Nicholls Dean’s Council.”
While serving as department head, Doucet will continue to teach genetics.
“I was recently named to the Education Board of the American Society of Human Genetics. This is the first time a Louisiana university has been represented on this board,” Doucet said. “I can’t quit teaching now. I am very excited about that. I am in for the long haul here at Nicholls, and I’m not retiring any time soon.”
Dr. John Doucet, interim dean of Nicholls State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been named dean of the department, pending approval of the Univeristy of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Doucet, who was born and raised in Golden Meadow and graduated from South Lafourche High School, has been employed by the university for 13 years.
