Women’s History Month Series Spotlights Gardner‑Webb Campus Leaders

Vice President of Marketing & Communications Thea Thompson on the Importance of Pushing Doors Open for the Next Generation of Women Leaders

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Women’s History Month honors the mothers, mentors, and history‑makers who shaped lives and opened doors for generations. At Gardner‑Webb University, that legacy continues through the women who lead across campus, including five members of the GWU president’s cabinet. Throughout the month, they will share their stories, reflecting on the opportunities women have today and those who guided them along the way.

Today, Vice President for Marketing & Communications Theandra “Thea” Thompson offers her reflection.

Career highlights

• Previously worked as a digital analyst at Masco Retail Support Services and Food Lion Corporate as a digital engagement specialist for web and mobile app and digital marketing coordinator.
• In 2017, she received a certificate in Digital Marketing from Rutgers University Executive Education Program.
• She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration with a concentration in management and marketing from Seton Hall University.

Thompson shares her thoughts on Women’s History Month.

Women’s History Month is meaningful to me because it gives us a chance to recognize the women who helped create opportunities many of us benefit from today. I recently heard President Barack Obama say during the funeral for Jesse Jackson Sr. that doors don’t just open. Someone has to push them first. That line really stayed with me.

When I reflect on my own journey, I think about the people who helped open doors along the way. I grew up in the Bahamas in a household where education was always emphasized. My parents didn’t have the opportunity to attend college themselves, but they believed deeply in its importance for their children. My father was a constant learner. He was always reading and finding ways to grow, and that mindset shaped how I approached my own education and career.

Women’s History Month is a reminder that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people are willing to push doors open for others, and it challenges all of us to keep creating opportunities for the next generation.

The first woman who influenced how I think about leadership was my mother. She was my earliest example of a strong woman leader. People respected her, trusted her, and genuinely enjoyed working with her. She also had other women in leadership around her who she could lean on for advice and support. Watching that network of encouragement and wisdom made a lasting impression on me.

Interestingly, my mother had opportunities to advance into higher leadership roles but chose not to pursue them because she didn’t want the additional responsibility. That taught me something important early on. Leadership isn’t just about titles. It is about influence, relationships, and how you show up for the people around you.

As I moved into my career, I had the opportunity to work with many talented women who modeled confidence, collaboration, and resilience. At the same time, it was always noticeable how few women, and especially Black women, were in executive leadership roles. That reality became part of my motivation to pursue leadership and help expand what those spaces can look like.

Higher education is going through a lot of change, and I believe women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping what leadership looks like moving forward. We are seeing more women step into senior roles and bring perspectives that emphasize collaboration, innovation, and student-centered thinking.

I was reminded of the importance of that recently at a conference when a young woman approached me. She asked how she could prove her knowledge and value despite her age. She felt she had strong ideas but was being dismissed because she was younger in her role. We talked about ways she could demonstrate her value through insights and results. That included using data to support her ideas or proposing small pilot opportunities where she could test a concept and show measurable outcomes.

I am not entirely sure why she chose to approach me out of everyone at the conference, but I was glad she did. Moments like that remind me that leadership is not just about having a seat at the table. It is also about helping others find the confidence to bring their voice into the room.

One of the simplest ways I try to support others is by being accessible and willing to share what I have learned along the way. Mentorship does not always have to be formal. Sometimes it is simply taking the time to have a conversation, answer questions, or encourage someone who is thinking about their next step.

In my role at Gardner-Webb University, I also try to create opportunities for people to grow. That might mean encouraging someone to take on a new challenge, helping them think through their career goals, or connecting them with resources that support their development. At the end of the day, mentorship is often about helping people see possibilities for themselves that they may not fully see yet.

I encourage young women to be intentional about your goals and believe they are achievable.

Early in my career, during a performance review, we were asked to outline our future goals. I wrote that my 10-year goal was to become a vice president of marketing. My manager laughed and jokingly said we might have to talk to the current VP about that. Instead of discouraging me, that moment fueled my determination. Ten years later, I reached that goal, just in a place I had not originally expected, in higher education.

My advice to young women is to set ambitious goals, work toward them with confidence, and not let anyone else define the limits of what you can accomplish.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.