By: Donell Maxie, Communications Director
ITTA BENA, Miss. — ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø has named alumnus Chaid L. Thomas as its new director of admissions, bring ing more than 15 years of higher education experience in enrollment management, recruitment, student success and strategic planning to the position.
Thomas returns to his alma mater after serving in leadership roles at Rust College, Jackson State University, KIPP Forward College and ITT Technical Institute. Throughout his career, he has focused on expanding educational access, increasing enrollment and developing innovative recruitment strategies that strengthen institutional growth.
Most recently, Thomas served as director of recruitment at Rust College, where he led comprehensive recruitment operations, admissions initiatives, enrollment planning, marketing strategies and community partnerships. His leadership contributed to increased enrollment, improved operational efficiency through digital transformation and stronger engagement with prospective students and their families.
For Thomas, returning to Mississippi Valley State is both a professional milestone and a personal homecoming.
"Family and friends initially brought me to ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø," Thomas said. "The university also gave me the opportunity to continue working while pursuing my education. My time on campus was instrumental in developing the skills, discipline and confidence I needed to succeed in my chosen career path."
He credits ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø's Department of Public Administration with shaping his leadership philosophy through mentorship and service.
"The faculty showed us what success could look like and regularly introduced us to accomplished scholars and professionals who looked like us and were willing to pour into us," Thomas said. "Those experiences reinforced the importance of representation, mentorship and service."
Before joining Rust College, Thomas served as a persistence advisor with KIPP Forward College, coaching first-generation and college-bound students through academic planning, career readiness and persistence. He also spent nearly a decade at Jackson State University as senior recruiter for operations, where he helped implement enrollment initiatives that contributed to one of the largest freshman classes in the university's history while increasing enrollment by more than 10-percent.
Thomas began his higher education career at Mississippi Valley State as an admissions counselor and recruiter, recruiting students throughout Mississippi and neighboring states while developing partnerships with schools and community organizations.
As director of admissions and recruitment, Thomas said his first-year priorities include strengthening customer service, increasing ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø's visibility throughout Mississippi and beyond, expanding enrollment among first-time freshmen, transfer and readmitted students, and strengthening relationships with alumni and community partners.
"I plan to focus on increasing enrollment among first-time freshmen, transfer students and readmitted students," Thomas said. "By building stronger community partnerships, improving communication with prospective students and families, and creating a welcoming and efficient admissions experience, I believe our department can make a meaningful contribution to the continued growth and advancement of the university."
Thomas said prospective students and their families can expect an admissions experience centered on transparency, individualized attention and support.
"Our goal is to provide outstanding customer service, clear and timely guidance, individualized attention and access to the resources students need to make informed and confident enrollment decisions," he said. "We want every prospective student to feel welcomed, valued and supported from their first interaction with the university."
Thomas believes Mississippi Valley State's strengths continue to distinguish the university, including its 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, affordable tuition, the absence of out-of-state tuition fees and a nurturing HBCU environment. He also highlighted undergraduate research opportunities, internship placements and specialized academic programs that prepare students for successful careers.
He earned both a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and a Master of Science in Rural Public Policy and Planning from ÌìÑĺ£½ÇÉçÇø and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education administration and supervision at Jackson State University.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Thomas is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and the Mississippi Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.