Eric Thomas began work as KSPA executive director during the summer of 2014. He works with the board to program excellent events for KSPA schools and to support student journalists with ambitious projects.
Before joining KSPA and working as a KU journalism instructor, Thomas taught for 12 years at St. Teresa’s Academy. While teaching high school, Thomas taught journalism, newspaper, online journalism, writing, photography and yearbook. The all-girls private school in Kansas City, Missouri was named an NSPA Pacemaker finalist eight times and a Pacemaker winner four times. Many St. Teresa’s alumni have continued studying journalism at KU and other universities.
“The energy and commitment of Kansas journalism teachers to strengthening their students through a vibrant state organization is truly unmatched,” Thomas wrote. “I am so lucky to be part of this journalism community filled with both talent and enthusiasm.”
Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism and a master’s degree in journalism education through the University of Missouri at Columbia.