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Nicholls State University Leadership
This isn’t just a job for me. This is my passion. I understand the responsibility with which I have been entrusted. I’m thrilled to be the president because I believe in the value of higher education, I believe in Nicholls State University and I believe in the Bayou Region.
Welcome from Dr. Jay Clune
Thank you for your interest in Nicholls State University. We are proud of our university and are pleased that you are taking time to learn how Nicholls will help you achieve your future goals.
If you are a prospective student and want to achieve your dreams, I can promise you a strong commitment by the faculty and staff to help you succeed. We are here totally for you. We are committed to giving you the best possible “education with a personal touch.”
I invite you to visit our campus and talk to the students, faculty and staff members in the area of study that is of interest to you. You will be pleased to learn that we offer a wide variety of accredited programs to exceed your expectations and meet your educational needs.
If you are a parent of a current or future Nicholls student, I applaud your personal interest in your son or daughter. I assure you that the welfare of students is among our foremost concerns. We are committed to helping your son or daughter succeed in the classroom and, eventually, in his or her chosen career.
If you are a prospective employee, I am pleased that you are exploring the possibility of applying for a position at Nicholls. Nicholls is an equal opportunity institution and is successful because of the commitment and professionalism of its faculty and staff.
If I can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. You may e-mail me at jay.clune@nicholls.edu.
Dr. Jay Clune
6th President of Nicholls State University
Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
Terry Braud Jr., a Houma native, is Nicholls State University’s vice president of finance and administration.
Braud came to Nicholls in August 2016 with more than 32 years of experience as an accountant, controller, vice president of administration and senior vice president and CFO at Cross Holdings, where he also served as board secretary and treasurer. He also taught business at South Louisiana Vocational-Technical School, now Fletcher Technical Community College, and served on the Vandebilt Catholic High School Advisory Council for 12 years.
In his role at Nicholls, he is responsible for chief financial officer duties and overseeing additional departments such as Auxiliary Services, Human Resources, Maintenance, Purchasing and the Nicholls Police Department.
The Nicholls accounting graduate is a certified public accountant and licensed notary. He is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.
Terry Braud Jr., CPA
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Vice Provost and Chief Academic Officer
A native of Morgan City, Louisiana, Keller earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Nicholls State University and his Master of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix, New Orleans campus. His Doctorate of Nursing Science was earned from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.
Keller joined the Nicholls faculty in 1999 as an assistant professor of nursing and has held many different positions within the College of Nursing & Allied Health and Department of Nursing including Director of Continuing Nursing Education, Assistant to the Department Head, Coordinator of Recruitment, Retention, Admissions, and Progression, and BSN Program Director. Having worked on two accreditation cycles for the BSN program and renewing accreditation of the continuing nursing education program, he also holds the credential of certified nurse educator.
Dr. Todd M. Keller
Vice Provost
Dr. Michele Caruso
Vice President for Student Affairs
Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Michele Caruso serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Nicholls State University where she provides leadership and vision to a portfolio of comprehensive student development, student engagement, student living, and student service programs. Her student affairs administrative experience, which began at Nicholls in 1996, includes serving as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs as well as Dean of Students and Dean of Student Services. She has also served as an associate member of graduate faculty, teaching in the higher education administration program master’s program and has taught in sociology and psychology throughout most of her career. As a senior leader in higher education her passion, focus, and accomplishments have centered on student health and wellness, equity and social justice, food insecurity, strategic student engagement, purposeful and meaningful student experiences, strategic policy development, and behavioral crisis and threat assessment. Dr. Caruso participated in the 2018-2019 University of Louisiana System Management and Leadership Institute where she further advanced and expanded her understanding and application of effective leadership in higher education. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of New Orleans and a doctorate in counselor education from Mississippi State University.
Jonathan Terrell
Athletic Director
Vice President for Collegiate Athletics/ Athletic Director
Jonathan “JT” Terrell was named the Nicholls State University athletic director on June 22, 2020. Terrell is a former football player and coach and is the first Black athletic director in Nicholls history. After leaving the coaching ranks, Terrell spent nearly two decades as a leader in pharmaceuticals and medical device sales. During that time, he was the chief fundraiser for multiple Nicholls Athletics booster clubs, including The First Down Club and the Huddle Up Club. Terrell is married to Taryn Percy and together they have four children, Katelyn Coleman and her husband, Darius; Meagan; Makena; and Jacob.
Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Access and Success
Renee Hicks
Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Access and Success
Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs and Ethics
Paulette Mayon
Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs and Ethics
Office of Advancement
Lacey Crochet
Jeremy Becker, MBA, CFRE
Mary (Mitzi) Jackson, M.D.
Student Leadership
Jax Badeaux
Student Body President
Office Phone: 985.448.4555
sga.president@nicholls.edu
Douglas Gilchrist
Student Body Vice President
Office Phone: 985.448.4559
sga.vpresident@nicholls.edu
Naomi Landry
Treasurer
Office Phone: 985.448.4558
sga.treasure@nicholls.edu
Douglas Gilchrist
Director of Student Rights & Grievances
Office Phone: 985.448.4561
sga.rights@nicholls.edu
Emily Beck
Director of Public Relations
Office Phone: 985.448.4556
sga.pubrelations@nicholls.edu
2024-2025 Organization Chart
