WilmU One-on-One: Dr. Tasha Jackson-Thomas Talks Technology  

A dedicated professor who’s committed to digital equity and inclusion, she earned four degrees from WilmU: an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, MBA, M.S. in Information Systems Technologies and B.S. in Applied Science.

Q: After many years in the IT industry, what inspired you to pursue a career in academia? 

My transition to academia wasn’t just a career change — it was the natural evolution of my passion for bridging technology and service industries. During my years in the industry, I realized I had a unique ability to see the bigger picture: how technology solutions could transform entire organizations and industries, not just solve isolated problems. 

While working as a functional specialist in systems analysis and application readiness, I found myself constantly in teaching mode — leading site visits, creating training programs and facilitating workshops. But what really excited me was when I could help people envision how technology could revolutionize their entire approach to serving customers. 

I saw academia as the perfect platform to scale this impact. Instead of transforming one organization at a time, I could prepare the next generation of technology leaders to think strategically about the intersection of technology and service. Since joining WilmU in 2012, I’ve been able to combine my visionary approach to IT solutions with my passion for developing leaders who can drive innovation across industries. The classroom became a laboratory for exploring cutting-edge educational and business solutions. 

Q: What does servant leadership mean to you, and how do you apply it in your work with WilmU students? 

Servant leadership means putting student success at the absolute center of everything I do. It’s about removing barriers, not creating them. In my role as academic chair, I don’t just manage programs — I actively work to ensure every student has the tools and support they need to thrive. 

Practically, this means I’m constantly asking: “How can I serve my students better?” Whether it’s managing a lab to ensure students have access to the resources needed for class, mentoring adjunct faculty to deliver exceptional instruction, or personally working with students to persist — I see my job as clearing the path for student success.  

I also bring this philosophy to my classroom. My industry background taught me that the best leaders are those who develop others. So, in every course I teach, I’m not just delivering content — I’m investing in each student’s professional growth and confidence. 

Q: What exciting things are happening in the academic programs you oversee? 

We’re revolutionizing how technology education prepares students for leadership in an increasingly complex digital landscape! As academic chair, I lead the strategic development of our Applied Technology and Information Systems Management programs, as well as our Contemporary Technology Applications curriculum. 

What sets us apart is our focus on developing visionary thinkers who can bridge technology and service industries. We are integrating AI strategies and enterprise design thinking methodologies throughout our curriculum — leveraging industry certifications and advanced training to teach students to approach technology challenges strategically, not just tactically. 

Our students are learning technology needs assessment (TNA) processes, identifying organizational efficiencies through data analytics and developing the IT strategy skills that will enable them to become transformational leaders. We’re not just teaching them to use technology — we’re preparing them to lead innovation across multiple sectors. 

I’m particularly excited about our focus on the integration of technology and service industries. Students are working on real-world projects that require them to think about how technology can transform entire customer experiences and business models. It’s this kind of strategic, cross-industry thinking that will define the next generation of technology leaders. 

Q: Can you tell us about your dedication to digital equity and inclusion? 

Digital equity is deeply personal to me. As I come from a humble background, I understand firsthand how access to technology education can be life-changing. My personal journey from an associate degree to a doctorate was made possible by the opportunities that quality technology education provided. 

Within the College of Business and Technology, we work to ensure our labs are accessible to all students. My commitment to digital equity and inclusion extends not only to our campus but also beyond it. I am committed to leading workshops that focus on serving vulnerable populations, particularly older adults who may need digital literacy skills to access essential services such as telemedicine and online banking. There’s something special about being an advocate for technology and helping a senior citizen master video conferencing technology so they can stay connected with family, access health care from home or navigate online government services they need to maintain their independence. 

Q: What is the most memorable teaching experience you’ve had at the University? 

Within a year of joining WilmU, I began working with an international student from India in my Information Systems Management course, who was initially very quiet and seemed to be struggling with both the technical concepts and the cultural differences in our classroom environment. Despite having strong technical knowledge from his background, he appeared hesitant to participate in discussions or ask questions. 

Drawing on my experience designing inclusive training programs throughout my industry career, I created multiple ways for him to engage, offering one-on-one sessions, providing additional written resources and encouraging him to share perspectives from his background that could enrich our discussions about global technology implementation. 

Over the course of the program, I observed his confidence grow as he began contributing unique insights about how technology needs differ across cultures and business environments. At the end of the semester, he left me a handwritten note that I’ll never forget. It said, “Thank you very much for being a wonderful memory of my United States journey!” I framed that note as a daily reminder of why I do this work. It represents everything I believe about education — that we’re not just teaching technical skills; we’re creating transformative experiences that shape people’s lives and careers. 

Knowing that I played a role in helping him succeed in his educational journey in the United States and seeing how his unique perspective enriched our entire class reinforced my commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.

 

Q: What advice do you have for individuals who are thinking about earning a tech degree? 

Think like a strategist, not just a technician. Technology is rapidly becoming the backbone of every industry, meaning the most significant opportunities exist for those who can envision how technology transforms entire business ecosystems and service delivery models. 

My journey has taught me that the most successful technology professionals are those who understand both the technical capabilities and the strategic implications of their work. Don’t just learn to code or manage systems — learn to conduct technology needs assessments, develop IT strategies and use data analytics to identify organizational efficiencies and drive continuous improvement. 

Focus on developing your enterprise design thinking skills. The ability to conceptualize and implement innovative solutions that address complex organizational challenges — that’s what separates leaders from followers in our field. Whether you work in health care, finance, retail or any other service industry, it is essential to understand how technology can revolutionize operations and enhance performance. 

Finally, embrace the intersection of technology and service. The future belongs to professionals who can bridge these worlds, who can take cutting-edge technology and translate it into solutions that genuinely serve people and communities. That’s where the most exciting innovation is happening, and that’s where you can make the greatest impact. 

Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you? 

Despite all my formal credentials and the “Dr. J” nickname, I have a mean jump shot on the basketball court and enjoy singing. I am also deeply fascinated by the human side of technology transformation. I spend considerable time studying how organizational culture influences technology adoption and how strategic IT implementations can either enhance or hinder service delivery.  

People might be surprised to learn that I approach a technology challenge like a detective story — I enjoy thoroughly analyzing technology requirements to identify and address the underlying challenges beyond what’s immediately visible. For example, a systems issue might be a process design problem, and an apparent training gap could be a challenge in change management. 

I’m also passionate about cross-industry pattern recognition. I enjoy exploring how health care organizations leverage data analytics and translate those insights across sectors to serve diverse communities further. My ability to see connections across service industries — to envision how innovations in one sector can revolutionize another — that’s what drives my strategic thinking and keeps me energized about the future of technology leadership. 

Q: What do you love about Wilmington University? 

What I love most about WilmU is its authentic commitment to transforming lives through accessible, practical education. This institution fundamentally understands that learning happens in many forms and that every student brings unique experiences and challenges to their educational journey. During my own degree completion, I experienced firsthand the supportive environment and genuine care that motivates students to persist and excel. 

Now, as a full-time faculty member, I witness daily how our mission of accessibility and excellence creates real impact. We don’t simply embrace diversity as a talking point — we actively cultivate an environment where students from all walks of life can thrive. Whether they’re career changers, working parents or international students, we genuinely meet them where they are and help them to reach their goals and desired success. 

We’re preparing students not just to understand concepts but to implement solutions that drive real organizational change. Perhaps most importantly, the collaborative spirit at WilmU is extraordinary. Throughout my journey from adjunct instructor to academic chair, I’ve been consistently empowered to innovate, experiment and challenge conventions — all in service of student success. This culture of trust and shared purpose makes WilmU not just a place where I work but a community where I can contribute to shaping the future of technology leadership.