Colby Welcomes Adrian Thomas as Associate Dean and Director of the Pugh Center
She brings expertise in higher education and a commitment to supporting students' academic access and holistic development in new environments
Adrian Thomas has joined Colby as associate dean and director of the Pugh Center as the center marks its 30th anniversary on campus.
Thomas brings extensive experience in higher education administration, with a commitment to supporting students in new academic environments and holistic student development. She joins Colby from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, where she directed campus initiatives focused on student success, intercultural education, international student engagement, and recruitment.
Before Tufts, Thomas built her career at Purdue University and Indiana University Kokomo, where she led student support initiatives focused on access, outreach, and STEM disciplines. Her work included leading computer science initiatives to bring more women into the field, supporting students across STEM degree programs, recruiting graduate students into engineering, and coordinating transfer pathways from community colleges.
Thomas holds a master’s degree in psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from Purdue University, and an undergraduate degree in business from Cleveland State University.
“Adrian is a dynamic leader who brings a wealth of experience across many areas that are important to the student experience, along with an energetic, empathetic, and thoughtful approach to her work,” said Gustavo Burkett, dean of the College. “Adrian meets students where they are, understands what they need to be successful, and creates opportunities for them to find connection, community, and a sense of belonging.”
At Colby, Thomas’s goals center on holistic student support, including helping all students gain the practical tools and cultural understanding needed to navigate new environments and excel academically.
“My goal has always been to make sure students are successful. It is about giving students the tools to navigate new environments so they can thrive,” Thomas said. “When students bring ideas forward, my philosophy is: ‘How do we get to yes?’ and find creative paths to help them build community and make their vision work.”
