Kevin Thomas
Director of Retention and Student Success
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

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Kevin Thomas
Director of Retention and Student Success
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The path has been an interesting journey. If you had told me that 14 years ago I would have been in my current role, I am not sure I would have believed you. I started in higher education as the Residence Director for White College on the campus of Murray State. After completing my degree I moved to Muncie, Indiana where I served as a Residence Hall Director for Brayton/Clevenger Hall at Ball State University. After a couple of years I worked in housing at Western Kentucky University as a Coordinator for Housing and Residence Life in McCormack Hall.
At that point, I felt (and so did my wife) that it was time to move on from live-in campus housing positions and was fortunate enough to earn the position of Assistant Director of Undergraduate Advising Practices at Western Kentucky University. It was an amazing position that allowed me to work with a variety of faculty and staff throughout campus but allowed me to gain a mentor in Dr. Ellen Bonaguro. I include her in this blurb as she is a big role in how I got to SIUE. Through her mentorship I became a strong and smarter professional. In 2011, I became the Director, Academic Advising and Retention Center at WKU. Dr. Bonaguro encouraged me to pursue my doctorate and in 2012 I earned it from WKU.
I was incredibly fortunate to earn the role of Director of Retention and Student Success in 2012. Since that time it has been a pleasure to be a partner in student success with campus faculty, staff, and students at SIUE
Education
Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership, Postsecondary Education
Western Kentucky University, May 2012
Master of Science, Human Development and Leadership, College Student Personnel
Murray State University, May 2004
Bachelor of Science, Organizational Communication and Public Relations
Murray State University, May 2002
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