Gloria D. Thomas will be the next president of HERS (Higher Education Resource Services), a leadership development and research organization that is dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse network of women leaders in higher education. Dr. Thomas will take office on August 31.
Through various programs that support women in various stages of their careers, HERS provides program participants with transformational experiences and opportunities that result in stronger institutions of higher education. 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 serves as both a network and hub of resources for women eager to advance both themselves and their respective institutions of higher education.
Dr. Thomas comes to HERS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she served as the director of the Carolina Women’s Center. Prior to her time at UNC, Dr. Thomas served as the executive director of the Center for the Education of Women at the University of Michigan and the associate director at the American Council on Education.
“I was drawn to the presidency of HERS based on the organization’s track record in providing access to quality leadership development programs and an amazing professional network for women-identified individuals from all intersectional gender identities and institution types,” Dr. Thomas said. “I seek to build on and expand this excellence. HERS stands ready to prepare women-identified leaders to move the country forward for improvements and growth in the U.S. workforce, economy, research developments, civic engagement, and an enhanced civil society for this country’s future. I am privileged to serve at the helm of HERS at such a critical time.”
A graduate of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, Dr. Thomas holds a master’s degree in English education from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Michigan.