Chamberlain College of Nursing at Ochsner Health System
New Orleans Campus

Dr. Jennifer S. Couvillon is the president of Chamberlain University’s New Orleans, Louisiana campus. Dr. Couvillon has more than 25 years of experience in the clinical nursing and education realms and is appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

Prior to joining Chamberlain, Dr. Couvillon served as assistant vice president of system nursing professional development at Ochsner Health System and was an assistant professor of clinical nursing at Louisiana State University School of Nursing. She is a critical care nurse and started her career in the cardiac intensive care unit at Georgetown University Hospital.

Dr. Couvillon made a global impact as she recruited nursing students for study abroad programs in England and Ireland. Her perspective on universal healthcare was born when she cared for patients at Guys and St. Thomas hospital in London, England. Dr. Couvillon was recognized for her international service through the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society Nurse Chiron mentor program. In 2016, Dr. Couvillon was named a New Orleans City Business Healthcare Hero; in 2012, a City Business Women of the Year; and in 2003, a New Orleans Great 100 Nurse.

Dr. Couvillon has served as president of the Sigma Theta Tau International, Epsilon Nu Chapter and as president of the American Nurses Association New Orleans District Nursing Association. She is a member of the Association for Nursing Professional Development and Louisiana Chapter for National League for Nursing. She is a National League for Nursing ambassador and on-site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Dr. Couvillon earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in nursing education from Duquesne University, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a family nurse practitioner specialty from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Georgetown University.

Bruce Smith is the dean of campus operations at Chamberlain University College of Nursing at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has more than 13 years of experience in higher education management.

Prior to joining Chamberlain, Smith served as an independent consultant for higher education, specializing in areas that included student enrollment, student success and retention, and financial aid. In his over six years at Brown Mackie College, he served as campus dean in Louisville, Kentucky; dean of academic and student affairs at the Miami campuses; and regional student finance manager in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also spent six years at the University of Phoenix, in roles that have ranged from admissions advisor through associate director of student and financial services for the greater Atlanta area.

Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in political science from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Phoenix. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.

Walter Howell, Jr., MSN, MBA, RN, is the dean of academic affairs at Chamberlain University College of Nursing at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has over 40 years of experience in nursing practice, education and leadership.

A specialist in maternal-health nursing, Howell has served as a staff RN, preceptor, clinical manager and clinical director at numerous hospitals in Georgia and Alabama. He joined Chamberlain in 2014 as an instructor and most recently served as associate dean of faculty at the Atlanta, Georgia, campus.

He is a member of the Georgia Association of Neonatal Nurses, American Assembly of Men in Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Howell holds associate degrees in biology and nursing from Jefferson State Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Samford University, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Augusta College. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Chamberlain University.

Kelly Smith, DNP, MN, APRN, PHCNS-BC, is an assistant professor at Chamberlain University College of Nursing at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has more than 20 years of experience in nursing practice, education and leadership.

Prior to joining Chamberlain, Dr. Smith served as an assistant professor at Dillard University School of Nursing. Other roles have included school-based nursing in Louisiana and Texas, statewide nurse consultant for the Louisiana Office of Public Health, director of health services for the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice, nurse consultant for Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and house supervisor for Poydras Home.

Dr. Smith is a member of the National League for Nursing, American Correctional Association, Association for Community Health Nurse Educators and Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society. She is licensed as a registered nurse in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Dr. Smith holds Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees from Dillard University, a Master of Nursing (MN) degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Loyola University.