Jackie Thomas Jr.

2020-21 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow
For the past sixteen years, Jackie C. Thomas Jr. has been actively involved in supporting students, advocating for faculty and staff, building high-performing teams, strengthening communities, and working to get more people access to higher education.

Dr. Thomas currently serves as the chief strategist at Lone Star College-Tomball in Texas. In this capacity, he provides leadership to the following areas: college relations, professional development, multimedia services, diversity and inclusion, grants, strategic planning, alumni relations and fundraising, community engagement, research and innovation, strategic enrollment management, and institutional effectiveness.

Prior to serving as chief strategist, he served as interim executive director of college relations, assistant dean of instruction, and education faculty. He has also worked in residential life and housing, new student programs, and student activities.

In his spare time, Jackie serves on the Board of Directors for TOMAGWA Health Care Ministries and the National Council on Black American Affairs. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the higher education program at the University of Houston.

He received his bachelor of science in consumer science and merchandising from the University of Houston, his master of science in higher education from Florida State University, and his doctor of philosophy in educational psychology and individual differences from the University of Houston.