Thomas is currently an Associate Professor of Graphic Design and leads the Graphic Design Program. He joined the faculty in 2003 as an adjunct instructor, and became a full-time professor in 2014. His teaching philosophy is based on the idea that creativity is not boundless; in the graphic design profession, success comes in a series of steps. Although creativity is important, a clearly defined research is the key to solving design problems. Without a true understanding of the limitations and criteria of a defined problem, the best creative solution cannot be reached.
Thomas received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Graphic Design from MSUM in 1995. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts with a Concentration in Mixed Media Graphic Design. He has won 24 Ad Federation of Fargo-Moorhead ADDY Awards, District Case VI Gold and Bronze Awards for Excellence In Marketing Communications, and the Microsoft Business Solutions Excellence Quality Services Award.