Dr. Catherine S. Thomas was appointed in July 2023 as the Associate Dean for Nursing at WSU. In this role, she will work in partnership with the Dean and Department Chair to support the success of the undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty and students. Before joining WSU, Dr. Thomas worked in nursing education for over 15 years, progressing to associate professor at a large scale private and a mid-sized public institution in Connecticut, teaching both in undergraduate and graduate levels. Her leadership experience includes course and program coordination, and service as Department Chair. Her nursing practice was primarily in acute care, with time as a critical care and medical-surgical nurse, as well as experience as a camp nurse for both overnight (hosting local and international campers) and local day camps.

Dr. Thomas is an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and serves on local chapter boards.

She volunteers regularly at free medical/dental clinics and also serves as a board member with ImmaCare Inc – an organization which strives to eliminate homelessness in the Hartford, CT region though not only a men’s shelter but also a transitional housing program.