In early February, director of undergraduate studies Jamie Thomas-Ward was honored by the College of Liberal Art & Sciences with a LAS Academic Professional Award for her outstanding contributions to the Department of Economics.
As the director of undergraduate studies, Thomas-Ward is a force behind the scenes, and her work touches every aspect of the undergraduate student experience. She manages a team of undergraduate advisors and works tirelessly to streamline administrative processes and develop innovative curriculum, ensuring students receive an excellent, well-rounded education in economics. Her most recent accomplishments include the development of a new undergraduate major, economics + DS, and the renovation of the Raphael Kiam Economics Learning Center.
Thomas-Ward earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, so she’s no stranger to the Illini student experience. She went on to receive a JD from Northern Illinois University before beginning a career at a general civil law firm, working on commercial real estate development, tax, and municipal legal cases. Although the work was interesting, it wasn’t particularly fulfilling and didn’t offer the work-life balance Thomas-Ward sought.
“I remember figuring out a tax problem that would save our millionaire client several thousand dollars in taxes. I was excited for about five minutes but thought ‘What did that really accomplish?’” reflected Thomas-Ward.
Looking for a more impactful line of work, she set her sights on a career in higher education. “I started to really consider what I would do if I could change careers, and I kept being drawn to working in higher education. I knew it would be fulfilling to me and allow me to live a more balanced lifestyle,” she explained.
So, Thomas-Ward went back to school and earned a master’s degree in education from Illinois State University. When she saw an opening for a director of pre-law services at the U of I, she knew she had to apply. The role would combine her background in law with passion for higher education, and, of course, this role would mean she’d return to her alma mater.
“It’s just a fantastic school,” she said. “There are so many opportunities and resources. You can aim for any kind of career, study nearly every subject, go almost anywhere in the world, and join any kind of club you want. The people are very welcoming, and the campus is beautiful. I was inspired to work with some of the brightest people in the world with such incredible knowledge.”
Thomas-Ward landed the job and began her now 20-year career at the U of I. During her time as director of pre-law services, Thomas-Ward was recognized by the Midwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors (MAPLA) with the 2020 Racheter MAPLA Impact Award, an annual award given to pre-law advisors who demonstrate superior dedication to advising pre-law students and have made valued contributions to the profession of pre-law advising.
“I was proud to receive that award,” reflects Thomas-Ward. “It recognized how deeply I was committed to preparing students for legal education and how many prelaw students I worked with over the years.”
After eleven years in that role, Thomas-Ward was itching for something new. Feeling she’d learned all she could and seeking more variety in her day, she applied to be associate director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Economics in 2020. She hadn’t worked with an academic department before, so this role offered an opportunity to learn a wider variety of skills related to academic administration.
“When Jamie applied for our open position, we recognized immediately that her education, amazing skill set, and personal and professional abilities would benefit our department enormously,” wrote economics professor Elizabeth Powers in her nomination of Thomas-Ward for the LAS Academic Professional Award. “She has in fact exceeded our greatest expectations at every turn.”
Just as she was getting her footing in the role, the world was plunged into the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite the challenges remote work presented, Thomas-Ward demonstrated her passion for the students she serves early on, creating systems to streamline the undergraduate team’s processes and improve the student experience. It wasn’t long before Thomas-Ward’s role was elevated to the director level.
“I am a ‘doer’ and a born problem solver. That's why I became a lawyer!” joked Thomas-Ward. “I love it when I can resolve a problem that helps a student graduate on time, or when I can create a new process—like moving our proficiency exams to the Computer Based Testing Facility to provide more access for students,” she adds. “Although my job is often in the background, it's very rewarding to see the results helping people!”
Throughout her time in the Department of Economics, Thomas-Ward has become known as the “glue” that holds the department together. She leads the undergraduate team with tact, prioritizing respect, transparency, and professionalism.
“She has created an inclusive, collaborative advising team where everyone feels valued, supported, and motivated to excel,” explained senior academic advisor Kari Hutjens in her nomination letter. “Her leadership encourages creativity and professional growth, empowering us to take risks and pursue new ideas with confidence.”
Thomas-Ward’s contributions to the department are countless. Over the last six years, she has sought to improve the student experience, making it effortless and seamless for students to request overrides, take proficiency exams, provide advising feedback, and more. Under her leadership, the department renovated the Raphael Kiam Economics Learning Center, transforming the space into a welcoming, comfortable spot where students can receive help from high-achieving peers, course TAs, and faculty members.
On the curriculum side, Thomas-Ward has been instrumental in the development of cutting-edge programs for students that help them achieve their career goals. Notably, Thomas-Ward has spearheaded the creation of a new undergraduate major, economics + data Science, which is currently in the final stages of approval with the university. This new major will help economics students further hone their ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
In addition to her work in the economics department, Thomas-Ward also serves as the elected secretary of the Council of Academic Professionals and is a member of the Women in Economics National Leadership Network.
These advancements in student success, innovations in curricular development, and streamlining of administrative processes, led Thomas-Ward’s colleagues to nominate her for the LAS Academic Professional Award, which recognizes selected academic professionals for their outstanding contributions to the college.
“This award means a lot to me. It means my colleagues see my work and appreciate my contributions to the department and to the College of LAS because they have found them impactful,” said Thomas-Ward.
Congratulations, Jamie!