Thomas C. Laughner named St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Associate Dean of Student & Faculty Affairs

Thomas C. Laughner, PhD, has been named Associate Dean of Student and Faculty Affairs for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience in higher education, faculty development, academic innovation, organizational effectiveness, and academic technology to the institution.

Laughner joins St. Jude after serving as Director of the Teaching and Learning Center and Associate Professor in the College of Graduate Health Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), where he led university-wide initiatives focused on faculty development and educational innovation.

In his new role, Laughner will provide strategic leadership for faculty and student affairs initiatives, helping to foster an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing academic community while advancing St. Jude's commitment to excellence in education, research, and professional development.

“Dr. Laughner is an exceptional addition to the Graduate School’s senior leadership team, contributing innovative perspectives and a proven track record of supporting student and faculty success,” said St. Jude Graduate School Dean Steven Varga, PhD.

Throughout his career, Laughner has earned national recognition as a leader in faculty development and educational innovation. At UTHSC, he transformed the Teaching and Learning Center into a highly regarded institutional resource supporting faculty, residents, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students. He developed comprehensive faculty development programs, created a certification program for graduate students interested in a career in higher education, expanded educational technologies and learning resources, championed inclusive teaching practices, spearheaded a support ecosystem for faculty engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning, and led strategic initiatives focused on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence in higher education.

Prior to UTHSC, Laughner served as Director of Educational Technology Services at Smith College. During his time in Northampton, Mass., Laughner led the modernization of technology in more than 100 learning spaces while developing innovative online learning programs and advancing technology strategies that improved teaching and learning across the institution. He also served as Interim Chief Information Officer.

Earlier in his career, Laughner held leadership positions at the University of Notre Dame, including Associate Director of Educational Technologies and Acting Director of the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, where he developed nationally recognized faculty support programs and helped shape institutional approaches to teaching excellence and instructional technology. He began his career in the Dean of Students Office at the University of Arizona.

A scholar, educator, and national presenter, Laughner has published and presented extensively on topics including faculty development, faculty motivation, student engagement, organizational change, assessment, learning environments, academic technology, and academic leadership. He served on the Board of Directors of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD Network) and has contributed to numerous national professional organizations and review panels. He has taught numerous courses, including statistics, quantitative data analysis, research methods, adult learning theory, leadership, and IT strategy at several universities, including UTHSC, University of Notre Dame, Smith College, and the University of Memphis.

"I am excited to join the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and contribute to its extraordinary mission," said Laughner. "Throughout my career, I have been passionate about creating environments where faculty and students can thrive. I look forward to providing the resources, support, and services to help our students succeed and carry forward the unique mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital."

Laughner holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Andrews University, a Master of Arts in Educational Technology Leadership from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Arizona.

He and his wife Lori are the proud parents of six adult children. He enjoys travelling, gardening, landscaping, home fix-it projects, and spending time with his family.