Joel Thomas

Joel Thomas has a diverse work experience spanning different roles and industries. Joel began their career in 2001 as an Academic Specialist at Kean University and later served as the VP of Funded Groups for the Student Organization of Kean University. In 2003, they worked as a Public Affairs Intern for the City of Miami and then as a Community Relations Intern at the International Institute of New Jersey. From 2004 to 2006, they served as a Community Services Coordinator at Kean University.

In 2007, Joel joined AmeriCorps VISTA as the Engaging New York Program Coordinator for The Colin Powell Center at CCNY. This experience played a pivotal role in shaping their career path and developing skills in organizational leadership and community engagement. Joel then served in the US Navy Reserves as a Training Instructor and Career Counselor from 2006 to 2014, where they provided training and support services to over 200 troops.

Joel's passion for education and community led him to create a non-profit organization called the Institute for the Emergence of 21st Century Literacies (IE21CL) in 2013. As the Executive Director, they developed and supported a team of graduate student leaders to promote best practices in 21st century literacy education.

From 2011 to present, Joel has taken on consulting projects as the Managing Partner at J. Thomas & Associates, LLC., working with social entrepreneurs to meet their program design and training needs. Their most recent position is with America Works of New York, Inc., where they have held various roles since 2017. Joel currently serves as the Director of Education and Fellowship, leading a team of teachers, trainers, and fellows to support career development for vulnerable populations.

Throughout their career, Joel has demonstrated their commitment to empowering individuals through education and career development, and their expertise lies in designing and delivering training programs, leadership development, and community engagement.

Joel Thomas has a strong educational background with a focus on urban studies, language and literacy, as well as political science and international relations. From 2015 to 2016, they pursued a Master of Arts degree in Urban Studies/Affairs at CUNY School of Professional Studies. Prior to that, they earned a Master of Arts degree in Language and Literacy from The City College of New York between 2013 and 2015. In 2000, Joel obtained their Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a field of study in International Relations from Kean University.

In addition to their degrees, Joel Thomas also obtained two additional certifications. In 2013, they received a Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning: Program Design and Facilitation from CUNY School of Professional Studies. In 2012, they obtained a Graduate Certificate in Project Management, also from CUNY School of Professional Studies.