Winston-Salem State University establishes new Division of Student Success, hires inaugural vice provost
Winston-Salem State University is launching a new division dedicated to advancing student success and has named Dr. DeNeia B. Thomas as its inaugural vice provost. She will begin her role on Oct. 1.
Thomas brings more than 30 years of experience in education, spanning K-12, state government and higher education. She has served in executive-level positions in higher education including dean, vice president for enrollment and student success, chief of staff and associate provost. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives that improved student retention and graduation, advanced academic innovation and enhanced operational effectiveness.
She is experienced in building comprehensive student success programs from the ground up. Her work as the inaugural vice president of enrollment management and student success at Texas Southern University from 2021-2023 contributed to its historic enrollment record. She established an integrated unit that oversaw the university’s pre-collegiate programs, recruitment, retention, financial aid, student accounting and student affairs.
At WSSU, the Division of Student Success will focus on providing quality support to students with an emphasis on retention, persistence and graduation rates, particularly at the undergraduate level. The division will also function as an extended arm of the Office of the Provost in achieving student success metrics set forth by the UNC System while leading transformative projects, programs and services that enhance the student experience and overall academic profile of WSSU.
“Student success is my highest priority as chancellor, and the establishment of this new division underscores that commitment,” said Chancellor Bonita Brown. “Winston-Salem State University exists to transform lives, and that begins with ensuring every student has the support, resources and guidance they need to thrive from the moment they arrive until the day they graduate. This division will serve as a central hub for those efforts, helping us to not only meet but exceed our goals for retention, persistence and graduation.”
Thomas most recently served as dean of the College of Professional Studies at Lincoln University (Missouri), where she successfully led reaffirmation of accreditation, secured initial accreditation across three schools, and launched a new minor in entrepreneurship and a Master of Science in Nursing program.
At West Virginia State University, she elevated the institution’s profile as chief of staff, securing its historic 1890 land grant match and fostering cross-functional collaboration to strengthen innovation and operations. As associate provost at Kentucky State University, she systematically evaluated barriers to student success and implemented targeted strategies that reduced course failures and withdrawals, improved retention and re-engaged stop-out students to increase graduation rates.
“Dr. Thomas is widely respected for her ability to translate vision into results,” said Dr. Stevie L. Lawrence, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “Her ability to streamline operations, foster innovation and direct cross-divisional planning has made her a trusted leader in academic and student success efforts, which makes her uniquely suited to lead in this visionary role designed to further elevate student success at Winston-Salem State University.”
In addition to her administrative leadership, Thomas is a full-tenured professor and active scholar whose research focuses on factors that promote student success through strengths-based approaches. Her professional influence extends to statewide and national leadership as well. She is former president of the Kentucky Association for Blacks in Higher Education, a Millennium Leadership Initiative Protégé through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and a member of the American Association of University Professors.
She is a first-generation college graduate and proud HBCU alumna of Kentucky State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She completed her Master of Science and Ph.D. in educational psychology and her education specialist degree in school psychology from the University of Kentucky.
A native of Kentucky, Thomas has been married to her husband, Derrick for 30 years, and they are the parents of two adult sons.
