Dr. Thomas is a Co-Principal Investigator for NCETE. He currently serves as associate dean in the College of Engineering. For some years he was head of the Department of Engineering and Technology Education, one of five departments in the College of Engineering. He also serves as director for university applied technology education programs. Dr. Thomas served as director of the Huntsman Environmental Research Center which conducted research in consumer product recycling and a variety of areas related to clean air and clean water. He is active in technology teacher education and has served as a committee member and advisor for numerous graduate students' research projects.