Dr. Rosalyn Thomas appointed Drury University associate dean of Diversity & Inclusion

SPRINGFIELD, MO., March 7, 2022 – Drury University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rosalyn Thomas to associate dean of Diversity & Inclusion. Thomas joined Drury in August 2013 as the coordinator of Diversity Support Services in the Student Affairs Division. With 33 years of service in the Springfield Public Schools system, Thomas completed her years of service under the title of minority liaison, where numerous programs were introduced. Being a graduate of Drury, her connection to the university remained intact as the SPS put in place a teacher recruitment program in partnership with Drury University.

Thomas ’74 M.Ed. ’78 holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis on Special Education and a Master of Education. She obtained a Specialist in Education from Missouri State University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University in 2018.

“I’m happy to serve the university in this new capacity,” says Thomas. “Every Drury student deserves to feel recognized, included and appreciated and my work will help to further those efforts.”

As associate dean of Diversity & Inclusion, Thomas oversees diversity and inclusion efforts at Drury by clarifying goals, working to raise the visibility of diversity efforts and assessing progress.

“Dr. Thomas’ role at Drury is pivotal to the success of our students and our organization,” says Drury President Dr. Tim Cloyd. “As associate dean, she serves on my senior leadership team and we will rely on her expertise to help foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all Drury students.”

During her past nine years at Drury, Thomas has made a great and lasting impact on the lives of countless students. Some of her accomplishments include:

• Providing leadership for the Drury Bridges program, which assists in a smooth transition to college life for minority students
• Revitalizing BUIC – the Black United Independent Collegians – at Drury
• Implementing the Kente cloth ceremony for African American graduates.
• Chairs the President’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion
• Working with the Diversity Scholars program
• Serving on the renovation committee of the Benton Avenue African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Serving on the committee to organize and implement the birthday celebration of Rev. Oliver Brown
• Representing Drury during Black History Summer Academy, which is on Drury’s campus in June
• Serving at the Springfield African American Read-In, which mentors readers, promotes multicultural authors and hosts literary events throughout the year

Thomas began her duties as associate dean of Diversity & Inclusion Jan. 1, after the departure of former Chief Human Resources and Diversity & Inclusion Officer Marilyn Harris.

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Media Contact: Jasmine Bailey, Director of University Communications and Media Relations – (417) 873-7390 or JBailey012@drury.edu.