New College Dean Debbie Thomas: Childhood Dreams and Vision for the Future

On August 15, Texas A&M University at Galveston celebrated the launch of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, with Dr. Deborah “Debbie” Thomas at the helm as founding dean. As Thomas embarks on this new role, she describes it as her proudest professional achievement yet.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Thomas decided at age 10, two weeks into a school project, that she would be a marine scientist. Her parents encouraged her to explore other potential career paths throughout grade and high school, but Thomas didn’t budge.

When it came time to apply to colleges, a geological sciences degree paired with the desire to play tennis as a Division 1 athlete led Thomas to Brown University. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she completed her master’s degree in marine sciences and her doctoral degree in geological sciences from the University of North Carolina.

Thomas first joined the Aggie Family in 2004 as an assistant professor in the Department of Oceanography, with her most recent appointment as dean of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies marking her 20th year with the university.

“Starting at Texas A&M really was the realization of my 10-year-old self’s dream,” Thomas said. Laughing, she continued, “I remember thinking, ‘Holy cow, I really did it.'”

Her ambition now manifests as a commitment to solidify and promote the new college as the nation’s premiere destination for marine, coastal and maritime education.

“I’ve been on a personal mission to enhance awareness of the immensely rewarding careers and opportunities that await our students once they graduate with our degrees,” Thomas said. “Our programs may not be the biggest, but they are the most comprehensive. That’s where our niche in the industry lies.”

She is highly motivated to ensure the college’s programs have a stake in the nation’s pantheon of marine, coastal, ocean and maritime academic units and never hear the words “best kept secret” in reference to the Galveston Campus again. Everywhere she goes, Thomas touts the opportunities for  students, from academics to location to research and beyond. With unique, natural laboratories with direct access to the Houston and Galveston ports, shipping lanes, estuaries and coastlines, she says it’s hard to imagine a more ideal location.

Thomas is passionate about expanding opportunities for student engagement, which she calls the foundation of her administrative career. She describes her joy when she witnesses “lightbulb moments,” citing a unique energy and excitement that fills the air. She’s particularly proud when students seek her out to share their accomplishments or news. With a grin, Thomas said, “It makes me feel like, in some small way, I’ve been part of that journey.”

The new college joins the existing educational ecosystem at the Galveston Campus, and Thomas is confident that it will help solidify the academic foundation. By providing a home for the existing undergraduate and graduate programs, which allow students to explore the economic, social, political and ecological aspects of oceans and coasts, aiming to enhance understanding, stewardship and sustainability of these resources, Thomas can bring additional resources to the table to guide her vision into fruition.

“We were presented with this chance – with just the right circumstances within the university – that allowed us to nucleate this vision,” Thomas said. “The new college will be the vehicle that allows us to be the true destination of choice for learners, scholars and professionals in all things coastal, marine and maritime.”

Thomas emphasized the intention of the intersectionality of the academic programs, including the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, Engineering at Galveston and the many research institutes and centers based out of the Galveston Campus. As a perfect complement to her dedication to students, she is deeply appreciative of the faculty, researchers and staff that make these programs, now including the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, a reality.

“I have the privilege of working with some of the smartest and most creative people on the planet,” Thomas said. “It’s inspiring to see how faculty innovate in the classroom or research space and how much energy our faculty have to give to our students.” She continued, “I am intensely driven by the desire to ensure that all those other kids in the Midwest know about us and these phenomenal opportunities we have here because I didn’t,” Thomas said. “I want students across the country who have a passion for all things coastal, marine and maritime to know that we have a place for them here to fulfill those passions.”

Thomas also serves as Executive Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston and Associate Provost of Texas A&M University. Previously, Thomas served as the dean of the College of Geosciences and head of the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University. Thomas specializes in paleoceanography and studies the chemical composition of marine sediments to reconstruct past climate, particularly the climate dynamics of globally warm periods in earth’s history.

Photos:

Top left: Dr. Chris Marshall with Dr. Debbie Thomas releasing a sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico. Above right: Dr. Debbie Thomas, dean of the new College of Marine Science and Maritime Studies, on the first day of Fall '24 classes. All photos courtesy of TAMUG.