April 22, 2022
Sally Jane Thibodeau, Ph.D. ’66G
Assistant/Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies,
Associate Vice President for Academic Administration,
Associate Professor of Education (Retired)
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
Sally Jane Thibodeau, Ph.D. ’66G holds the distinction of being the first woman appointed assistant dean of undergraduate studies at Providence College. She spent 23 years in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies before her appointment as associate vice president for academic administration in 1994.
A native of North Providence, R.I., Dr. Thibodeau received a bachelor’s degree in history-secondary education from Mount Saint Mary College in Hooksett, N.H., in 1964. She arrived at PC that fall as a part-time student in the newly formed graduate program while teaching full time in the Smithfield, R.I., school system. In 1965, she was the first woman awarded a graduate assistantship. As a full-time graduate student, she completed a master of arts degree in history in 1966, then taught high school in Providence.
Dr. Thibodeau received a master of library science degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1976 and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Connecticut in 1993. In 1976, she also received a certificate from the first Higher Education Resource Services Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration, held at Bryn Mawr College.
In 1997, Dr. Thibodeau chose to return to full-time teaching in the undergraduate school’s secondary education program, eventually becoming program director in 2007. As associate professor of education until her retirement in 2009, she taught in all three divisions at the college — undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education. She also taught in the master’s program at Rhode Island College and in the doctoral program at Johnson & Wales University.
She contributed her time and expertise on numerous committees. From 1972-1978, at the direction of College President Rev. Thomas Peterson, O.P. ’51,’85Hon., she organized and chaired the Women’s Liaison Committee, which advised the president on issues directly impacting the integration of women into the campus community. In 1974, she was the first woman appointed to the Committee on Administration, now the President’s Senior Cabinet. In 1994, President Rev. John Fabian Cunningham, O.P. ’50 appointed her as the college’s representative to the NCAA Division I Academic Review Teams. She chaired and was a member of seven such nationwide review teams.
Dr. Thibodeau also served the Rhode Island community with gubernatorial appointments to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.
She resides in Jamestown, R.I.
