Rising Stars: Meet Gloria D. Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria D. Thomas. 

Hi Gloria D., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since starting my first administrative role in higher education in college admissions, I have changed professional positions every 7-8 years throughout my career. My college experience at Swarthmore, a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, fostered in me a thirst for continuous intellectual engagement and a need to pursue proficiency and expertise in a set of skills. After I achieve my set goals and objectives, it is time to move on. My intentional search for “what’s next” resulted in serendipitous moves from one position to the next. 

After spending seven years in college admissions, with promotions from admissions counselor to associate dean of admissions at my alma mater, my next stop was the University of Michigan for a doctoral program to determine my intellectual focus and research interests. I developed an intersectional gendered lens through my work at the Center for the Education of Women (CEW) as a graduate student research assistant. I examined and reported on survey and interview data related to the experiences of women faculty in their work-lives. I also served as a staff coordinator and organized programs and support structures to enhance women’s career success and retention. Immersing myself in this work of analyzing and helping to sustain the careers of women faculty at a top-tier research university was central to obtaining my next professional role in Washington, DC, as Associate Director of the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program, one of the premier leadership development programs in the U.S. for those aspiring to the leading leadership roles in higher education. 

Three years later, I transitioned from the ACE Fellows Program to the Associate Director in the former Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE). This position satisfied my craving for a return to a focus on professional development and career services for women. I loved the learning, networking, and intellectual challenges, but I struggled to balance my personal life. I had given birth to two children between graduate school and working at ACE, and my marriage was falling apart. As much as I loved the work and the national stage, family duties necessitated a slower pace and saner work-life. 

Ultimately, I didn’t save the marriage, but I did leave D.C. to allow our two children to be closer to their father, who worked at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I returned to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to become the Director of the Center for the Education of Women (CEW)—where I had established my gendered lens as a graduate student. That was my first role as the boss. The learning curve was steep, and I had no manual for supervising a team of individuals who were previously my peers. I stepped up to and into the role as best I could, with lots of professional development. I made my share of mistakes, but I learned from every one of them and vowed never to repeat them. 

Leaving my role as Director of CEW 7 ½ years later was bitter-sweet. My ex-husband and father of my two children passed away in 2015 from a heart attack, and our daughter was about to start her first year at Davidson College in North Carolina. For my children and I to all have a new start, I accepted a position as Director of the Carolina Women’s Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was a lateral move at best. 

Fast forward another five years to 2020, my daughter was out of college, and my son enrolled at UNC-Chapell Hill. I had twelve years under my belt serving as a Directory of two women’s centers, and my children were on their way into adulthood, and it was once again time for what’s next. I discovered the President of HERS opening and thought, “Oh my, that would be my dream job!” 

After all the years that I volunteered my time to support the professional and leadership development of women-identified faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and students, I would finally be able to do this work as my primary job. How absolutely awesome! 

I look forward to joining and leading the HERS team. I look forward to the transition to Denver from Chapel Hill, NC, and our administrative home at the University of Denver. Most of all, I look forward to helping create the next generation of women leaders—in all their intersectional gender identities—who will implement what they learn from HERS in their leadership roles at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities across the U.S. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road is never totally smooth. Some of my greatest challenges were related to managing work and life. As a single mother, I rarely felt like I was great at both work and parenting. Like many working moms, I felt I had to sacrifice one for the other, and there was little time for my personal social life. 

I still struggle to realize my limits and not set unrealistic expectations for myself. However, I’m getting better at taking time to look back on my calendar, at my list of goals and objectives, and remind myself of how much I have achieved. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) is a leadership development and research organization dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse network of women leaders in higher education. Through various programs that support women across the stages of their careers, HERS provides program participants with transformational experiences and opportunities that result in stronger higher education institutions. HERS believes that impactful leadership not only requires women in leadership positions but demands that each woman bring her unique voice and perspective to her leadership role. 

Founded in 1972, HERS proudly serves as a network and hub of resources for women eager to advance themselves and their institutions. For nearly 50 years, HERS has made great strides for the advancement of women in higher education. However, there is much work to be done, and HERS plans on boldly moving onward to ensure greater diversity and equality in higher education leadership. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I like to listen to The Daily by the New York Times while taking morning or evening walks. I’m also an NPR junkie and listen to whatever local NPR station is available in whatever city I happen to be in. 

Some of my favorite reads recently have included Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Henry Louis Gates’ Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow, and Pauli Murray’s Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed a 2021 documentary about the life and legacy of Pauli Murray (My Name is Pauli Murray), directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West, as well as an NPR podcast series about Murray’s life and legacy (simply called Pauli). 

Contact Info:

• Email: hers@hersnetwork.org
• Website: https://www.hersnetwork.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hersnetwork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERSNetwork
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERSNetwork
• Other: https://hersnet.secure.force.com/form?formid=217728&_ga=2.45908836.1500591350.1630331661-636335617.1628183456

Image Credits
Gloria D. Thomas
Jon Gardiner ’98