Dr. DeNeia Thomas has been selected as Texas Southern University’s new Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success. 

“Dr. Thomas’ history of collaboration and commitment to student success will only add to our ongoing transformation at Texas Southern University,” said Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, TSU President. “Not only is she a seasoned strategist and action-oriented leader, but she also has a strong skill set of advancing initiatives that yield positive outcomes. Working across departments, divisions, schools and colleges, Dr. Thomas has a stellar track record of providing student-first, centralized services that promote a supportive and robust learning environment that is needed for student success.” 

Dr. Thomas’ focus on providing award-winning student programs and supporting university-wide initiatives to advance the overall experience, as well as extending learning and development beyond the classroom, has led to meaningful increases in student retention and graduation. 

She has served in numerous higher education administrative roles, including most recently as the chief of staff at West Virginia State University. Previous roles have included associate provost for Academic Affairs, associate vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, Director of Testing Services, and Comprehensive Assessment Coordinator.  Also, she has excelled in executive-level positions within the K-12 arena, including at the Kentucky Department of Education and as a principal consultant with the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. group. 

Dr. Thomas, who began at TSU in November, has an extensive track record as a leader and scholar with a deep commitment to excellence. Having advanced within academe to the rank of full-tenured professor, Dr. Thomas maintains an active research agenda with scholarship focused on factors promoting success, specifically among people of color. She has served as principal investigator on grants and continues to serve as a grant reviewer, peer reviewer for accreditation bodies and journals, editorial boards, and committees, and maintains memberships in professional associations to advance the field. Dr. Thomas is also active in community service and civic organizations. 

A native of Kentucky, Dr. Thomas earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Educational Psychology and Ed.S. in School Psychology from the University of Kentucky and completed her B.S. in Psychology from Kentucky State University. She has certifications with concentrations in psycho-social implications for school and community-based learning and socialization processes, motivation, school attachment, psychometry, assessment, accountability, evaluation and organizational management. Dr. Thomas has completed national programs to advance her leadership skills. 

Dr. Thomas is married to Derrick Thomas, Sr., an educator, and the couple has two adult sons.