Announcements
Jul 21, 2025
Marshall, TX – Wiley University is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Morris Thomas as our new Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Higher Education Administration! Following an extensive search process, President & CEO Herman J. Felton, Jr. expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are confident that Dr. Thomas is an incredible addition to our team, poised to lead the bold and audacious vision for our academic enterprise.”
We are thrilled about the wealth of expertise Dr. Thomas brings, along with his dynamic vision for enhancing teaching and learning, aligning our strategic academic goals, and fostering a culture of innovation throughout our programs. Dr. Morris Thomas will officially join us on August 1, 2025.
Dr. Thomas arrives at Wiley University from Howard University, where he served as the inaugural Assistant Provost for Digital and Online Learning and directed the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. He also holds tenure as a faculty member in the School of Education and serves as an adjunct lecturer in the School of Business.
His impressive educational portfolio showcases multidisciplinary expertise, with degrees in higher education administration (Ph.D., Morgan State University), business administration (Executive MBA, Howard University), educational policy and leadership (M.A., The Ohio State University), instructional technology management (M.S., LaSalle University), and music performance (M.M., New Jersey City University; B.A., Fisk University). His outstanding leadership and academic achievements were recognized with the Chief Executive Leadership Award at Howard University.
A distinguished scholar, Dr. Thomas has authored several peer-reviewed publications and contributed to book chapters and editorials. He has developed internationally recognized frameworks, such as the ENHANCE Learning Model and the WHOLE Experience Framework, and has presented his work across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Dr. Thomas serves on editorial boards for multiple journals and acts as a Master Reviewer for Quality Matters. He has successfully secured competitive grant funding from prestigious organizations, including the Gates Foundation, Echo360, and Lumen Learning. Notably, his innovative Project Management Essentials course achieved remarkable success, ranking #1 among university-created courses globally in Class Central’s Top 100 Most Popular Online Courses of 2024, with over 55,000 learners currently enrolled on the Coursera platform.
Beyond his instructional contributions, Dr. Thomas recently chaired the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council and serves on esteemed panels, including the Changing Landscape of Online Education Advisory Panel. He was selected by the U.S. Department of State to host an international delegation focused on digital learning excellence and has received accolades such as the Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service to Quality Matters and The Achievers Award for Excellence & Leadership. Dr. Thomas is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and actively engages with relevant professional organizations.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected to serve Wiley University as the chief academic officer. The institution is home to all the ideals I am passionate about, and provides the pathway for me to contribute to the Bold and Audacious Vision. I am incredibly overjoyed with this opportunity and my future at Wiley University.” – Dr. Morris Thomas
Wiley University is poised to embark on an exciting journey toward innovative academic excellence. For more information, contact Catherine G. Sellers, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, at wileyu.communications@gmail.com or (903) 742-4895. Additional details are available at www.wileyc.edu.
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About Wiley University:
Wiley University, formerly known as Wiley College, is a premier liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church. The university is dedicated to fostering social good and developing leaders who make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
