Deena Besson

Instructor

Like many students in the College of Innovation and Design, Deena Besson was a non-traditional student. She completed her bachelor's degree while working full time and finished her master's degree several years later.

Besson gained extensive professional experience in healthcare and reports that she continuously felt called throughout her career to teach. She knew that A&M-Commerce was where she needed to be when she learned the university would be creating a competency-based program for working adults in healthcare.

She is passionate about helping non-traditional students realize their potential and further themselves through education.

A Conversation with Deena Besson

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

Definitely come check out A&M-Commerce! The atmosphere here is so friendly and welcoming. You can truly be yourself here and receive an amazing education at the same time. The faculty are passionate about their students and really take the time to get to know them and help them succeed.

What draws you to healthcare administration?

I have a passion for administration in organizations and I have such a diverse background in healthcare that I wanted to share my knowledge and experience with others who might be considering the field. Over the course of nearly 20 years, I have been a 911 paramedic, worked with adult patients and pediatric patients in hospital settings, been a leader to a variety of healthcare disciplines, and even worked in hospital emergency management and disaster preparedness! Throughout all of these experiences, my greatest joy came from teaching other staff and the public. I am so excited to be able to give this knowledge to others and help create healthcare professionals of the future.

Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.

The BAAS in Health Services Administration program is new to the university, so I have been working to help develop it for our students. There have been so many great people working to get this program ready and I can't thank them enough. The College of Innovation and Design offers so many routes for students to achieve their educational and career goals. It is so exciting to be part of a program like this at such an amazing university!

Educational Background

• M.S., Healthcare Administration, Capella University, 2018
• B.G.S., General Studies (Sociology, Women’s Studies), Texas Woman’s University, 2010