Academic Leadership

Linda M. Thomas, JD, PhD is a Professor and Dean of The Graduate School at James Madison University in Virginia.

Linda M. Thomas has found her 16 years of serving in academic leadership positions rewarding and humbling. Before she was appointed Dean, Linda M. Thomas served as Head of School of Integrated Sciences at James Madison University.

Dr. Linda M. Thomas smiling.
Linda Thomas, JD, PhD smiles while speaking at a podium. The podium has the seal of James Madison University. She is standing next to President of JMU, Jonathan R. Alger, JD who is also smiling.

  • Dean of The Graduate School

    James Madison University

    2021-present

    Graduate School
    About JMU

  • Head of the School of Integrated Sciences

    James Madison University

    2018-2021

    School

  • Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering

    Stevens Institute of Technology

    2017-2018

    Department
    About Stevens

  • Director of the Construction Engineering Department

    Stevens Institute of Technology, MS, ME, and PhD programs

    2014-2016

  • Chair of the Department of Construction Management, a new department

    NewSchool of Architecture & Design

    2010-2014

    Programs
    About the NewSchool

  • Associate Chair and Graduate Director

    School of Building Construction, Georgia Institute of Technology

    2007-2010

    School
    About Georgia Tech

  • Associate Professor

    Georgia Institute for Technology

    2006-2010

  • Assistant Professor

    Georgia Institute for Technology

    2000-2006

“I believe education is the great equalizer. As an academic leader I get to create environments that allow faculty to bring their talents to students. That’s magic.”

—Linda M. Thomas, JD, PhD

A group photo of Dr. Linda M. Thomas with the Provost and other Deans at James Madison University. Linda is the black woman wearing a blue shirt in the back row. The group is standing on stairs in front of a JMU building.

Related Service, selected

James Madison University

  • Member of the Taskforce on Shared Governance (2023-present)
  • Member of the Taskforce on Selecting Institutional Peers (2023-present)
  • Chair of the Center for Global Engagement Search Committee (2023)
  • Chair of the Taskforce on Instructional Faculty Hiring (2021)
  • Co-chair of the Instructional Faculty Professional Development Working Group on the President’s Task Force on Racial Equity (2020-2022)
  • Keynote Speaker at Women in Technology, Technology Night Dinner (2018)

Stevens Institute of Technology

  • Advance Grant Advisory Board member for the National Science Foundation (2014, 2015)

NewSchool of Architecture and Design

  • Chair for the Self Study for regional accreditor the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 2013

Other professional activities

  • President of the alumni chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.,® Sigma Gamma Omega (2020-present)
  • Co-advisor for the Lambda Chi Chapter of Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority Inc.,® at James Madison University (2021-present)
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (2000-2018), and on the Department Heads Committee (2018)
  • Founded Working Group 113, “Law and Construction” for the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (2002-2018)
Dr. Linda Thomas is wearing full regalia at a doctoral hooding ceremony. She is hooding Dr. Pamela Clenance in this photo, draping the hood around her shoulders from behind.
Dr. Linda Thomas is wearing full regalia at a doctoral hooding ceremony. She is kissing Pamela on the cheek while she smiles in this photo.

Other Experience

icon of a crane lifting materials for building construction

Construction Manager

Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games

1995-1997

icon of a gavel

Attorney

Drew, Eckl & Farnam and The Ewing Group

1992-1995

icon of an anchor

Active-Duty Officer

United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps

1984-1989

Watercolor of earth from photographer Elena Mozhvilo

“Internationalization and global thinking is so important to me. Not everyone has the funds for study abroad, but you can still help students think globally.”

—Linda M. Thomas, JD, PhD

Service around the world

Jamaica Study Abroad, Co-instructor, James Madison University

2023

Delegation member for partnerships with universities in Kenya and Zambia, James Madison University

2022

School of Engineering Representative for Instant Decision Recruitment Initiative in India, travelled to Pune, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai

2017

Paris Study Abroad, Georgia Institute for Technology

3 years

Roles

Visiting Professor

Shanghai Jiao Tong, Civil Engineering Department

July 2016

Visiting Lecturer

Hong Kong Polytechnique, Faculty of Construction and Environment

November 2002