Scott Thomas, currently dean of the School of Educational Studies at Claremont Graduate University, has been named dean of the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont. He will begin his UVM tenure July 1.

Thomas is an accomplished educator and acclaimed scholar of education. His research spans the preschool through college spectrum and focuses on issues of student success and the stratification of educational opportunity. He is widely published, with numerous books, book chapters, and peer reviewed articles published in leading education journals. His work has been supported through externally funded research grants totaling more than $5 million. He has a passionate commitment to public education.

Thomas is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Higher Education, the oldest and most influential journal in the field of higher education and co-editor of International Studies in Higher Education, a book series examining how different nations are responding to the dramatic global increase in demand for higher education. He also serves as the president of the roughly 3,000-member Association for the Study of Higher Education, North America’s primary scholarly society devoted to the academic study of postsecondary education 

Prior to joining Claremont Graduate University in 2008, a private, graduate-only university located in Southern California’s Claremont Consortium of Colleges, Thomas held tenure-line faculty positions at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Arizona, and the University of Georgia -- all public flagship universities in their respective states.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and a doctorate in educational policy, organizations, and leadership, both from the University of California Santa Barbara.

“Dr. Thomas has dedicated his academic and administrative career to understanding and advancing education as a vehicle for greater equality in society,” said President Tom Sullivan. “He is a nationally recognized educator and scholar with a remarkable breadth of experience that makes him uniquely suited for the job of leading the college into the next era of academic excellence.”

“Professor Thomas has an impressive record of accomplishment as a scholar, an academic leader, and a dean,” said Provost David Rosowsky. “He brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the deanship and recognizes the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the college. He has earned praise from his colleagues as a visionary leader who is able to create genuine and enduring engagement among his faculty, staff, and students – toward shared goals and with bold vision."

“I look forward to working closely with the exceptionally talented faculty, students and staff in the College of Education and Social Services and across the university campus to continue making a positive difference in communities throughout Vermont and across the nation,” Thomas said. “I have been drawn to the college in part because of the University of Vermont’s powerful research orientation and its deep commitment to the public good. This has provided the college with a unique platform for addressing the most complex social and educational challenges of our time. I am honored to have been chosen by the University of Vermont to lead the college into its next era of academic excellence.”

Thomas follows Cynthia Gerstl-Pepin, who has served as interim dean of the College of Education and Social Services since July of 2015.

“Cindy has provided thoughtful and skillful leadership during this time of transition,” said Sullivan. “We’re grateful for her service in this critically important role this year."

PUBLISHED

03-24-2016
University Communications