Inauguration of Central State University President Dr. Jack Thomas

Central State University will inaugurate Dr. Jack Thomas as its ninth president on March 4 with a ceremony and other week-long events. A Corporate Day Ball will also be held following the ceremony on the Wilberforce campus.

Thomas began serving as Central State University president on July 1, 2020, and he is the ninth president to lead the university in this role. A visionary scholar and accomplished educator, bringing over 30 years of experience from several academic institutions, Thomas held a variety of leadership roles before joining CSU, including president of Western Illinois University from 2011 to 2019 and interim president at Maryland Eastern Shore. He is also an author of “Within These Gates” which shares insight on academic work and leadership.
He started his leadership role at Central State University in the midst of a global pandemic. As he affirms in leading through innovation, he and his team are committed to excel in this “new normal”. Dr. Thomas has established nine strategic priorities with the overarching themes of increasing the quality of academic excellence, strengthening and developing regional and national corporate partnerships, and focusing on student centric engagement.

Since taking office at Central State, Thomas has emphasized the university's five core values: academic excellence through intellectual excellence in teaching, research, service, creative endeavors; community engagement and outreach promoting servant leadership; cultural responsiveness and inclusion; civility and mutual respect; innovation in all aspects of University life.

Thomas has launched “Project Innovation” which includes infrastructure advances, capital improvements, and new state of the art facilities, including an Honors College attracting the best and brightest students. Recognizing the need to meet adult learners where they are in life, and increasing accessibility and opportunity for each student, regardless of their background, motivations, or life situation, Thomas has spearheaded the development of career-aligned academic programs through Central State Global, the University’s online school.

Under his leadership and through a transformative strategic plan, the University is experiencing record-breaking fundraising through corporate partnerships, and expanded alumni engagement.
He has also overseen record-breaking sponsored research funding which promises to accelerate Central State University’s research activities that will advance the quality of life for residents of Ohio and national food insecurity issues with a first of its kind, $10 Million Award for Innovative Sustainable Ag Research Project.

Details for reporters covering inauguration events
Members of the media can attend the inauguration events. For more information about interview opportunities with Thomas and others after the inauguration, contact inauguration committee co-chairs Dr. Zillah Matare Fluker at 937-376-6347 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Charles Shahid at 937-376-6081or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..