Michelle D. Thomas, Ph.D.

• Title: President of The James Franklin Group LLC

Dr. Michelle D. Thomas, President of the James Franklin Group (JFG), LLC., focuses on empowering young professionals to be confident and determined in their leadership growth journey. Dr. Thomas has a passion for inspiring young professionals to be their best selves – powerful, focused, and steadfast. She has a wealth of experience in business, education, and leadership and is a strong and inspirational coach who listens closely and commits fully to understanding her clients’ needs and goals to in turn collaboratively plan their developmental journey. Dr. Thomas has a talent for building and supporting lifelong learning and focuses on providing authentic experiences.

Dr. Thomas has served in many roles in higher education. She was the Director of the Glazer and Lorton Writing Institute and an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Teaching and Learning for University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. At Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio she worked as an Assistant Professor and Director of Programs for Advanced Studies in Education and as an Adjunct Instructor. While there she redesigned and developed a master’s program for practicing teachers in four program areas: reading, technology, special education, and curriculum and instruction. She was an Adjunct Instructor at Kent State University where she redesigned and taught an undergraduate level course entitled Inquiry into Professional Practice.

Dr. Thomas’ professional experiences in K-12 education include Elementary Principal of Our Lady of the Elms in Akron, Ohio, Director of Instruction and Professional Development, Leadership Team Member, Technology & Learning Center Coordinator, and K-3 Computer Coordinator for Canfield Local Schools in Canfield, Ohio; and Teacher of Reading and Language Arts at the Heritage Middle School in Westerville, Ohio.

Dr. Thomas is currently Chair of the Kent State University Foundation Board; is a member of the Executive Committee for the Buckeye Leadership Fellows; is a Doctoral Faculty Advisor at Franklin University; and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Women in Leadership Program at Ashland University.

Dr. Thomas received a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Teacher Professional Development from Kent State University, a Master of Arts in Educational Theory and Practice – Language, Literature, and Reading Education from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Summa cum Laude) in Elementary Education, Grades 1-8 – Reading and Language Arts, and K-12 Reading Endorsement from Capital University.