GREAT TO MEET YOU!

I’m Manisha Ford-Thomas, and I work at the intersection of leadership, organizational culture, and student success—helping institutions build the people, practices, and systems that allow students and the professionals who serve them to thrive.

For more than 30 years, I have helped institutions strengthen residential education systems, develop high-performing teams, and design environments that support belonging, retention, and leadership development.

Current Role: Executive Dean of Student Affairs
Harris - Stowe State University | St. Louis, Missouri

Over the course of my career, I’ve led large residential education systems, developed mentorship and retention initiatives, and helped institutions strengthen the environments where students and professionals live, learn, and lead.

My work brings together operational leadership, scholarship, and identity-informed practice to create spaces where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow.

I’m especially passionate about conversations around leadership, belonging, and the experiences of Black women in higher education. My doctoral research explores what I call workplace wealth—the ways identity, resilience, and community shape how women navigate and lead within complex institutions.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: strong institutions are built through thoughtful leadership, intentional culture, and systems designed to help people thrive.

If you’re interested in collaborating, learning together, or continuing the conversation, I’d love to connect.

Expertise & Experience

  • Culture & Retention Architecture

    Doubled graduate assistant staff to stabilize team

    Launched two new learning communities

    Increased professional development offerings

    Led workplace engagement assessments

    Designed restorative practices systems

  • Healing Centered & Identity-Informed Leadership

    Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration (2023)

    Dissertation: Workplace Wealth of Black Womxn Student Affairs Practitioners

    International keynote & conference presenter

    Crisis & trauma-informed response

  • Organizational Systems Strategy

    $45M+ housing proceeds oversight

    $30M+ revenue budget (Interim Director)

    $9M+ operating budget management

    4,000+ bed residential system leadership

    300+ student & 20+ professional staff oversight

  • Harris - Stowe State University

    Executive Dean
    Division of Student Affairs

  • Saint Louis University

    Director
    Housing & Residence Life

  • Long Island University

    Director
    Residence Life and Housing

  • The College of New Jersey

    Assistant Director
    Residence Education & Housing

  • SUNY New Paltz

    Coordinator
    Scholar’s Mentorship Program

  • Ramapo College of New Jersey

    Student Development Specialist
    Educational Opportunity Fund

  • Seton Hall University

    Operations Manager
    Housing & Residential Life