Executive Director, UCS
mthomps3@central.uh.edu

Now in her 11th year at the University of Houston, Dr. Monica D. Thompson brings deep institutional knowledge and a proven record of executive leadership that reflects innovative leadership in action. This role holds special meaning for her, having previously served as Interim Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for more than two years (November 2021–January 2024), providing executive oversight of divisional operations and directly supporting the Interim Vice President. Having successfully fulfilled these responsibilities, she is eager to continue advancing student success at UH.

Dr. Thompson’s perspective is uniquely shaped by 13 years at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin under Academic Affairs and her current leadership within Student Affairs at UH. This combination bridges academic and student affairs, enabling her to connect students with meaningful learning opportunities while advancing institutional goals. Her commitment to shared governance and student success is evident through active service on several university-wide committees and workgroups, including the UH Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, QEP Steering Committee, and SACSCOC Reaffirmation Team, reflecting her collaborative leadership in advancing institutional priorities and creating a seamless student experience.

A hallmark of her leadership is driving innovation through data-informed decision-making, resulting in a 40% increase in student engagement. While serving as Interim AVC/AVP, she supported and coordinated key initiatives such as the Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan, leveraging predictive analytics and student feedback to enhance services across UH, UH–Sugar Land, and UH–Katy. Her leadership also advanced access through initiatives expanding Veteran Services, International Student Advising, and the DART Accessibility Center. Dr. Thompson’s strategic planning expertise includes leading or co-authoring more than five major institutional plans aligned with UH’s pursuit of Top 50 Public University status.

Since joining UH in 2014, Dr. Thompson has been at the forefront of shaping a comprehensive strategy to engage students in career exploration, skill development, and experiential learning. Leading a dynamic team of over 25 professionals and student leaders, she has successfully delivered career services to more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students, achieving a 49% increase in early engagement by sophomore students. She also led the creation of a career planning course for liberal arts majors, impacting student in one of the largest colleges at UH, and launched initiatives that integrate “success skills” (formerly “soft skills”) into the academic experience for all students.

Prior to UH, Dr. Thompson spent 13 years at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where she managed professional development initiatives for one of the nation’s top-ranked undergraduate business career programs.

A native Houstonian and first-generation college graduate, Dr. Thompson holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Ethical Leadership with an emphasis on Social Justice from the University of St. Thomas, a Master of Science in Educational Administration–Human Resources Development from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a minor in Accounting from Texas State University.

Her expertise includes organizational change, strategic planning, career development, talent management, and leadership coaching. She is a certified Mediator, Career Coach, and facilitator for CliftonStrengths, Myers Briggs, Birkman, True Colors, Spiritual Gifts, and DISC. She has published in Advances in Human Resource Development and completed the National Diversity Council’s Unconscious Bias Training Certificate Program.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Thompson is a passionate advocate for student and staff development, having served as President of the Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers (HACCC) and participated in NASPA’s Institute for Aspiring AVPs and UH’s Inaugural ProPel Executive Leadership Program.

Married for over 25 years, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and son, as well as engaging in art and hosting gatherings that bring people together in meaningful connection.