Dr. Jack Thomas is an American academic administrator who served as the president of the Central State University from 2020 to 2023.
Prior to his appointment as president of Western Illinois University, Thomas held the post of provost and academic vice president at WIU, beginning in 2008.
[3] Before joining WIU, he held the positions of senior vice provost for academic affairs and interim dean at Middle Tennessee State University, as well as academic posts at University of Maryland Eastern Shore and South Carolina State University.
Upon Thomas's resignation, incoming provost Martin Abraham succeeded him as the university's acting president while the Board of Trustees conducted a national search for a new president.
[1][6] His tenure saw the implementation of a strategic plan and a $75 million expansion of the campus, which involved the construction of seven new buildings.