As a first-generation college student in Wales, Ryan Thomas was determined to see the world. The opportunity to study abroad was a key reason Thomas chose American Studies as his major.
Little did he know that decision would put him on the path to the Palouse, a career as a journalism professor, and a key role within faculty governance at Washington State University.
Thomas, an associate professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, was recently selected by his peers to serve as chair-elect of Faculty Senate for the 2026-27 academic year in preparation for moving into the top role the following year. It’s the culmination of years spent advocating for shared governance and graduate education, both as a student and faculty member.
“Serving the university in this way wasn’t something I had anticipated or factored into my career trajectory, but I thought it was an undeniable opportunity to make a difference at a pivotal time for the university,” Thomas said.
After spending his junior year in Pullman, Thomas returned to Wales and completed his undergraduate degree in 2005. After a stint as a freelance music journalist, he decided to pursue a graduate degree at the same American institution he’d come to love.
While pursuing his master’s degree from Murrow, Thomas and a friend started CommGrad, a group dedicated to giving graduate students in the college a collective voice. His work on behalf of CommGrad, coupled with a subsequent role as a senator of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, was essential to prepare for life as a faculty member.
“I was able to see university life from different perspectives, and so when I graduated with my PhD in 2012 and took a job at the University of Missouri, I felt I had a pretty good grasp of shared governance.”
After a decade as a faculty member in Missouri, Thomas jumped at the opportunity to return to his alma mater as a tenured associate professor.
“Murrow is an excellent communication college,” Thomas said. “I couldn’t have seen myself leaving Missouri for anywhere else.”
He continued, “WSU has a special place in my heart, and having family and friends around was a big plus as well.”
Since returning to Pullman in 2022, Thomas has served as chair of the Faculty Senate’s Graduate Studies Committee and on a committee organized by the Provost’s Office and the Graduate School to better understand the cost of graduate instruction. In the former role, Thomas interacted frequently with faculty senators, continuing to learn more about the governance of the university. This in addition to serving as the director of graduate studies for Murrow.
As elections for Faculty Senate officers approached, Thomas was approached by several faculty, including current chair Ken Roberts and immediate past chair Tracy Klein, about his interest in running for chair-elect.
“Ryan is an outstanding member of the Faculty Senate and provides excellent leadership as chair of the Graduate Studies Committee,” Roberts said. “His contributions to the work of the Faculty Senate cannot be overstated. I am looking forward to him bringing his experience and skills in faculty governance to the role of Faculty Senate Chair.”
Thomas’ tenure as chair-elect begins in August with the arrival of the 2026-27 academic year. The following academic year, he will serve as chair of Faculty Senate.
Between the ongoing systemwide redesign, revamps to University Common Requirements, or UCORE, and ongoing developments related to graduate education, Thomas is expecting it to be a busy couple of years.
