by Shannon Kelly ’26 on April 30, 2026
News
On Friday, April 24, Dr. Thomas Smith, Providence College’s provost, announced that Dr. Ronald Dufresne will be the next dean of the School of Business. His term begins on July 1. Currently, Dr. Dufresne works as a professor of management in the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He has served as department chair, faculty senate president, senior leadership fellow, and chair of the Haub School of Business council. He began teaching at St. Joseph’s in 2006 and was previously an instructor of management at Boston College.
Dr. Dufresne received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management at the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1994 and served as a Military Intelligence Officer until 1999. He received a master of science from Boston College in 2005 and then got his doctorate of philosophy in organization studies from Boston College a year later. He stated that, “From my very first conversations with the faculty and staff of PC Business, I was struck by their deep commitment to forming students as whole persons—not just as future professionals, but as critical thinkers in pursuit of the truth and servant leaders prepared to make a positive difference in a complex world. I am truly honored to join this remarkable Providence College community and to join in service of the mission.”
Dr. Dufresne’s research focuses on mission-driven management education, leadership development, ethical leadership, and organizational change. His role as dean will provide tactical leadership for the school’s four undergraduate degree programs, which include accountancy, finance, management, and marketing, the MBA program, and other master’s degree programs that are offered. Dr. Dufresne will also provide his leadership to faculty, students, partnerships, and various academic programs within the School of Business.
Dr. Thomas Smith stated, “Dr. Dufresne brings an exceptional record of leadership, innovation, and commitment to mission-centered education. He understands the transformative power of business education grounded in ethics, service, and the pursuit of the common good. Throughout the search process, he impressed our community with his vision for the future of the School of Business and his collaborative leadership approach. I am delighted to welcome him to Providence College.”