TOMBALL, TX:  Dr. Jackie C. Thomas, LSC-Tomball Chief Strategist and interim Vice President of Student Success, has been accepted into the Education Design Lab 2.0 cohort as a Designer in Residence. Due to his acceptance into this project, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, LSC-Tomball will receive a $75,000 grant award.

The Education Design Lab (the Lab) is a national nonprofit that co-designs, prototypes, and tests education-to-workforce models through a human-centered design process focused on understanding learners’ experiences, addressing equity gaps in higher education, and connecting learners to economic mobility.

"The first Designers in Residence cohort made significant strides in identifying the transformations necessary for higher education systems to build a more equitable future for all learners," said Bill Hughes, president, and CEO in a press release posted by Education Design Lab. "We are excited to see how the second cohort builds on this work to co-create an actionable roadmap for institutions seeking to build and scale equitable, learner-centered pathways and partnerships that adapt to an evolving economy."

Over an 18-month period, Thomas and five other higher education leaders will explore, design, and build regional environments that support low-income students in their completion of an associate degree by their thirteenth year of education, one year after their high school graduation. Cohort Designers will attend a kick-off convening in Washington, D.C. (June 5-7) followed by monthly virtual design sessions.

Thomas began his career in higher education over 18 years ago. He has established himself as a visionary and innovative leader with a proven ability to set, define, and accomplish the goals he initiates for himself, a team, and an organization. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved with coaching and mentoring leaders, building high-performing teams, strengthening communities, and working to get more people access to higher education.

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