In appreciation of Dr. Jack Thomas, ninth president of Central State University

In appreciation of Dr. Jack Thomas, ninth president of Central State University Academic excellence, dynamic partnerships, and a bold expansion mark Central State's new era

Upon his departure, we thank him for his service. Since joining the Central State University community in July 2020, Dr. Jack Thomas raised the University’s profile with a focus on growth and innovation. 

Thomas rallied the campus under a new strategic plan, Reach Higher. Go Further. Thrive!™ During his tenure, the University has developed several new programs and initiatives, including Project Innovation, a multi-million-dollar campus expansion; Central State Global, an online degree division; the Honors College; and,

• A $75 million expansion project featuring the already completed Honors Residential Hall and the nearly completed, off-campus Shorter Road Apartments.
• "Project 42," a state-of-the-art Land Grant research complex comprising two innovative facilities worth more than $25 million.
• A $3.1 million software gift from the Student Freedom Initiative - enhancing CSU's software services and elevating our technological capabilities.
• A $3 million grant from the National Telecommunication Information Administration to empower minority communities through improved technology infrastructure.
• CSU's growth with our current enrollment — nearly 4,800 students — highlighting our appeal as a top-tier educational institution.
• The early success of CSU's Capital Campaign, raising over $8 million ($1.2 million in cash and $7.2 million in grants and services) during the silent phase for FY23.
• The CSU-CareSource collaboration, revolutionizing community health worker training and shaping tomorrow's healthcare professionals with $200,000 in funding.
• The vibrant international community through CSU's thriving Bahamian Ministry Initiative, with over 150 Bahamian students enriching our campus life.
• The vast network of opportunities created by CSU's expanding corporate partnerships, now collaborating with over 60 esteemed organizations.
• CSU’s effort to provide employment-related training, entrepreneurship skills development, and education to underserved communities in the Miami Valley region through our Workforce Training & Business Development Center, funded by U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Thomas will return to the University as a tenured professor after taking an educational sabbatical.