Influential Women Highlights Rosemary M. Thomas: Servant Leadership In Higher Education

MURFREESBORO, NC, UNITED STATES, October 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- President of Chowan University Brings Nearly Four Decades of Expertise in Enrollment Management, Fundraising, Board Governance, and Leadership Development

Murfreesboro, North Carolina – Rosemary M. Thomas is the 24th President of Chowan University, a Christian university in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, that describes its mission as a life skills university and a foundation of Christian education. A seasoned higher education leader whose career spans nearly four decades, Rosemary, Ed.D., brings a deep commitment to student engagement, board collaboration, community partnerships, and strategic planning anchored in Christian values. Her specialties include team building and leadership development, servant leadership, fundraising, enrollment management, and board governance. Her appointment as president marks a historic distinction and a new, transformative chapter for the institution, and she has received three awards over the course of her career.

Rosemary’s career in higher education began in 1988, when she worked as a student employee in the president’s office at Clemson University. That experience ignited her lifelong passion for institutional leadership and student success. Over the years that followed, she held progressive leadership roles at several distinguished institutions, including Fairmont State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Salisbury University, and Glenville State College. She went on to serve as Vice President of Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement and later as Executive Vice President at Davis and Elkins College. During her tenure there, she spearheaded a campus-wide student retention initiative and played a pivotal role in the successful completion of a $100 million fundraising campaign. Each role broadened her view of how institutions grow.

Before her presidency, Rosemary served as Chief Operating Officer at the Washington, D.C., international office of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service, demonstrating her versatility and effectiveness across both higher education and nonprofit leadership. She is also a nationally recognized speaker and workshop facilitator whose influence extends well into the communities she serves.

Rosemary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Clemson University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a Doctor of Education from West Virginia University. She has also completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard University. She is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the American Cancer Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary through its Girls State and Boys State programs.

The role of a university president has grown increasingly complex. Presidents must guide academic quality, recruit and retain students, manage budgets, work closely with governing boards, and build relationships with donors, alumni, and the surrounding community. At smaller private institutions in particular, enrollment and fundraising directly shape an institution’s ability to serve students well. Leaders with experience in enrollment management, institutional advancement, and board governance bring the combination of skills needed to strengthen both financial health and the student experience.

Servant leadership, a philosophy that places the needs of others at the center of a leader’s decisions, has gained wide influence in education and nonprofit management. Leaders who practice it focus on listening, empathy, stewardship, and helping others grow, qualities that can strengthen trust among faculty, staff, students, and trustees. In fundraising, these relationships matter as well, since successful campaigns depend on donors who believe in an institution’s mission and its leaders.

Rosemary believes success is never achieved in isolation. Throughout her career, she has been intentional about surrounding herself with mentors, colleagues, friends, and family who challenge and inspire her. She describes herself as a collector of people, someone who invests deeply in relationships and draws strength from those connections. At the core of everything she does is a commitment to servant leadership and a desire to serve the communities she is privileged to be part of. She believes in taking advantage of every opportunity while taking nothing for granted, making the most of what is in front of her and focusing forward.

The most impactful advice Rosemary has received is to always do the right thing, even when it seems no one is watching, because someone always is. She believes integrity must be consistent and unwavering rather than situational. Equally important is building a network of people she respects and admires. These principles have guided how she leads, how she builds relationships, and how she navigates challenges.

Her advice to young women entering higher education is rooted in the same principles. She encourages them to lead with integrity, practice patience with those around them, and extend grace to themselves as they grow and learn. She also urges them to invest in meaningful relationships early and nurture them throughout their careers, since those connections will shape their professional journeys and sustain them through the most demanding seasons of leadership.

Rosemary sees ensuring long-term institutional sustainability while meeting the evolving needs of students as one of the most pressing challenges in higher education today. Institutions must balance financial realities with a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and comprehensive student support. At the same time, colleges are serving a generation of students facing unprecedented personal and economic challenges, which calls for forward-thinking, a strong work ethic, and compassionate leadership. Within these challenges, she sees an opportunity to reimagine how institutions serve students and strengthen the communities they call home.

Faith, family, and the future are the guiding pillars of Rosemary’s professional and personal life. Leading a Christian university gives her the privilege and responsibility of integrating faith with intellectual growth. She is committed to empowering young people and those around her to be their best through mentorship, civic engagement, and leadership development. A passionate advocate for civic engagement, volunteerism, and youth development, she has contributed to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the American Cancer Society, the American Legion Auxiliary’s Boys State and Girls State programs, Community Care of West Virginia, the United Way, and foster youth support initiatives. A proud native of Fairmont, West Virginia, she attributes her success to authentic relationships, unwavering integrity, and a servant’s heart.

From a student job in a university president’s office to leading Chowan University as its 24th president, she has built a career on the belief that leadership grows from the collective strength of the people one serves alongside. Guided by faith and integrity, Rosemary M. Thomas continues to empower students and strengthen the communities her university serves.

Learn More about Rosemary M. Thomas:

Through her Influential Women profile: https://influentialwomen.com/connect/rosemarym-thomas

Influential Women

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Influential Women