Campus News

Franklin College names associate dean for leadership development, diversity

Kecia Thomas-10-12-2009
Kecia Thomas

Kecia Thomas, a UGA faculty member, has been appointed associate dean for faculty leadership development and diversity in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

A professor of industrial/organizational psychology,Thomas has served on the UGA faculty since 1993.

“As associate dean, Dr. Thomas will have a portfolio that is well-aligned with her academic and professional expertise as an industrial/organizational psychologist who is an award-winning graduate mentor and instructor, an internationally recognized scientist/practitioner in the psychology of workplace diversity and a certified executive coach,” said Alan T. Dorsey, dean of the Franklin College. “Given her scholarship, dedication to the college and to the university, and her extensive leadership experience, I am pleased to have Dr. Thomas serve in this important role.”

Thomas has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, one textbook and four edited volumes. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as by school districts, nonprofits and other national organizations.

Thomas has provided leadership for Franklin College in several roles, including as graduate coordinator for psychology, interim director for the Institute for African American Studies and interim associate dean. She has been a member of the dean’s staff since 2007, serving as senior adviser to the dean and director of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity Leadership. In that role, Thomas launched a number of successful diversity initiatives and provided consultation on diversity matters to the college and other units on campus.