Galveston Campus Welcomes New Chief Academic Officer    

Texas A&M University at Galveston welcomes Dr. Deborah Thomas as the new Chief Academic Officer, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associated Provost of Texas A&M University. Thomas, an oceanography professor who specializes in the field of paleoceanography, brings nearly 20 years of experience in ocean science and education and is perfectly suited to help better position the Galveston Campus as the preeminent marine and maritime institution of higher learning.  

Thomas’ honors include being named a Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar and receiving the college-level Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching from the Texas A&M Association of Former Students. She was the keynote speaker for the Shell Science Seminar at the National Science Teachers Association’s national conference and delivered the keynote address at a Texas A&M University Freshman Convocation. She has also been named a distinguished lecturer for the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. Additionally, her leadership was instrumental in establishing the R. Ken Williams '45 Radiogenic Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, which allows faculty and students to perform radiogenic isotope interdisciplinary research in fields such as marine geology, environmental sciences, paleoceanography and paleoclimate.   

Thomas joined Texas A&M University in 2004 as an assistant professor. She has since served as head of the Department of Oceanography from 2013 to 2016 and Dean of the College of Geosciences from 2016-2022. She received her master’s degree in marine sciences and her doctoral degree in geological sciences from the University of North Carolina. Her undergraduate degree is in geological sciences from Brown University. She has led international research teams through the International Ocean Discovery Program and successfully proposed and helped lead IODP Expedition 378 as co-chief. 

Thomas assumes the role from Dr. Antonietta Quigg, who has served as interim associate vice president for academic affairs, associate provost, and chief academic officer for the past 18 months.