Dr. Brenda Thomas is a Faculty Development Specialist in the CETLSS focused on faculty mentoring and career support, primarily for VITAL faculty. Brenda’s heart lies with VITAL faculty after teaching as a lecturer at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) for 10 years and serving as the Director of University Colloquium, a sustainability course required of all FGCU undergraduates. As Director, Brenda worked with extensively with non-tenure track faculty to support them in their teaching and professional development.
A love of all things outdoors led Brenda to a B.S. in biology from West Liberty University and M.S degrees in Environmental Science from FGCU and the University of Florida. Her passion for teaching led to an Ed.D. in higher education leadership from FGCU. Her research currently focuses on pedagogical partnership, an approach to educational development that empowers students to work as pedagogical consultants with faculty partners.
After work Brenda enjoys reading, knitting, walking in the woods with her dog, or hanging out with her family.