FOR RELEASE: June 23, 2025
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA – The University of Providence Board of Trustees has appointed Caroline Goulet, PT PhD as its interim President. She replaces Father Oliver Doyle who is stepping down on June 30th.
Dr. Goulet has been serving as UP’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs since July 2024 where she has been instrumental in advancing the university’s mission and fostering academic excellence across all programs. Her visionary leadership and dedication to inclusive, student-centered education have earned her the respect of faculty, staff, and students alike.
“Dr. Goulet brings a wealth of academic leadership, innovation and a deep commitment to student success to her role as interim President. We are fortunate to have a person of her capability ready to lead us into our next era,” said Terry Cosgrove, Chair of the UP Board of Trustees.
A native of Montreal, Dr. Goulet holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from McGill University, a Master of Science in Applied Biomedical Engineering, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Université de Montréal. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she contributed to NASA Life Mission Science spaceflight study on motor control.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the University of Providence in this capacity,” said Dr. Goulet. “This community embodies the enduring values of faith, compassion, and service that have defined the Sisters of Providence, following in the footsteps of Blessed Émilie Gamelin, who turned personal sorrow into a lifelong mission of love and justice. Their legacy of loving care for those in need inspires us to pursue our mission with purpose, resilience, and unshakable trust in Providence. I look forward to advancing this legacy by supporting our students, faculty and staff, strengthening our university, and continuing the important work we’ve begun together. I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Father Oliver Doyle for his devoted leadership over the past six years. His steady guidance, spiritual wisdom, and commitment to student success have made a lasting difference in our community.”
Before her tenure at the University of Providence, Dr. Goulet served as Associate Provost for the Health Professions and Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She was the Founding Dean of the School of Physical Therapy, where she established innovative, problem-based learning programs, including a nationally recognized Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and an online post-professional DPT program. Under her leadership, the school expanded to become the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, adding new graduate programs in athletic training and occupational therapy.
“I’ve worked closely with Dr. Goulet since she joined us last year. I’m supremely confident that her understanding of how a university needs to operate combined with her strong leadership skills will make this transition seamless and to lead us to greater heights,” said Stuart Van Horn, UP Board of Trustee and Chair of the Board’s Academic Committee. “We will provide more details on the search for our next President as they are developed. We are pleased that Dr. Goulet is willing and quite able to lead us in the coming months. We are very excited for the future.”
