EdD, 2015 Daniel Thompson is the senior education research analyst at the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. In this role, he directs and advises on efforts for national student success improvements, serves as research lead for the Project Success Program focused on improving retention rates, graduation rates, and cohort default rates at minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and serves on the U.S. Department of Education's internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. He also serves on the board for the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower and support black boys to improve academic & professional outcomes. Thompson is an accomplished higher education professional with a 15+ year history of driving continuous improvement through the delivery of data-backed solutions and the construction of strategic initiatives aligned with institutional core objectives. His results-driven and strategically-minded approach to leadership is clearly displayed across a career of guiding high-level decision making impacting nation-wide success. He possesses a rich experience in program development and evaluation along with a deep involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He has worked with various universities to plan, develop and launch new programs and strengthen enrollment management strategies. He has been instrumental in directing major projects, including research, planning, training, student information system implementations, and program evaluation. Previously, he worked for Emory University's School of Medicine, Hampton University, Kaplan Higher Education Corporation and the University of Minnesota. In 2013, he was selected for the University of Georgia’s Future Scholars Visitation Program. Thompson’s combination of higher education and corporate experience provides a broad perspective for each project. These combined areas of expertise enable him to develop and deliver differentiating solutions for institutions. Thompson received a Bachelor of Science in business management from Hampton University and a Master of Education in higher education leadership from Mercer University. He is also certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is an Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP). Further, he is an alumnus of IHE's executive doctoral program in higher education management.
