Thomasson eager to begin new role as AVP for strategic initiatives
Position will directly support MiamiTHRIVE, university’s strategic plan
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Published
Miami University's Melissa Thomasson, right, has a new role as associate vice president for strategic initiatives.
Thomasson eager to begin new role as AVP for strategic initiatives
•
Published
Longtime Farmer School of Business faculty member Melissa Thomasson, renowned for her research on the economic history of health insurance and health care, is taking on a new role at Miami University.
As associate vice president for strategic initiatives, Thomasson will join the President’s Office to work directly in support of MiamiTHRIVE, the university’s strategic plan. She will also assist the Provost’s Office and Human Resources with overseeing the implementation of a new faculty union contract.
Thomasson’s role will help in creating and establishing metrics, scorecards, and KPIs – both internally and externally – for MiamiTHRIVE initiatives, as well as assisting Ande Durojaiye, the vice president for strategy and partnerships, and the Office of Strategic Transformation. Together, Thomasson and Durojaiye will build a robust academic infrastructure to support partnerships, affiliations, and engagement with internal stakeholders invested in the future of MiamiTHRIVE initiatives.
"I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to be able to continue to contribute to student, faculty, and staff success in a new way,” Thomasson said. “At the same time, it is bittersweet to leave the Farmer School of Business and the incredible colleagues I have had the chance to work with over the past 25 years.”
Thomasson has served as associate dean for faculty affairs and personnel within the Farmer School of Business since 2021. She is also a professor of Economics.
Previously, Thomasson was department chair of Economics from 2019-2021. She joined Miami as an assistant professor in 1998. Thomasson earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Arizona after completing her undergraduate work at the University of Puget Sound.
A research associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research since 2005, Thomasson testified before Congress and has been cited in the New England Journal of Medicine and Yale Law Journal.
“Melissa’s work is well respected and valued at Miami University and nationally,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “Her research on the economic history of health insurance and health care has garnered widespread attention, including by the New York Times, the Washington Post, ‘This American Life,’ and many other outlets. We are extremely excited that she is taking on a new role as associate vice president for strategic initiatives.”
The Financial Times, NBC, and the popular “All Things Considered” program on NPR have all also featured Thomasson’s work. While at Miami, Thomasson earned the Richard K. Smucker Outstanding Professor Award, the Farmer School of Business Junior Research Excellence Award, and the Best Paper Award from the journal Explorations in Economic History among other honors.
“Melissa has been an invaluable asset to the Farmer School of Business,” said Jenny Darroch, dean of the Farmer School of Business and the Mitchell P. Rales Chair in Business Leadership. “Her strategic mindset, unwavering commitment to excellence, and ability to build meaningful connections will have a lasting impact, and we are excited for the continued impact she will bring to the wider Miami University community.”
As associate vice president for strategic initiatives, Thomasson will join the President’s Office to work directly in support of MiamiTHRIVE, the university’s strategic plan. She will also assist the Provost’s Office and Human Resources with overseeing the implementation of a new faculty union contract.
Thomasson’s role will help in creating and establishing metrics, scorecards, and KPIs – both internally and externally – for MiamiTHRIVE initiatives, as well as assisting Ande Durojaiye, the vice president for strategy and partnerships, and the Office of Strategic Transformation. Together, Thomasson and Durojaiye will build a robust academic infrastructure to support partnerships, affiliations, and engagement with internal stakeholders invested in the future of MiamiTHRIVE initiatives.
"I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to be able to continue to contribute to student, faculty, and staff success in a new way,” Thomasson said. “At the same time, it is bittersweet to leave the Farmer School of Business and the incredible colleagues I have had the chance to work with over the past 25 years.”
Thomasson has served as associate dean for faculty affairs and personnel within the Farmer School of Business since 2021. She is also a professor of Economics.
Previously, Thomasson was department chair of Economics from 2019-2021. She joined Miami as an assistant professor in 1998. Thomasson earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Arizona after completing her undergraduate work at the University of Puget Sound.
A research associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research since 2005, Thomasson testified before Congress and has been cited in the New England Journal of Medicine and Yale Law Journal.
“Melissa’s work is well respected and valued at Miami University and nationally,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “Her research on the economic history of health insurance and health care has garnered widespread attention, including by the New York Times, the Washington Post, ‘This American Life,’ and many other outlets. We are extremely excited that she is taking on a new role as associate vice president for strategic initiatives.”
The Financial Times, NBC, and the popular “All Things Considered” program on NPR have all also featured Thomasson’s work. While at Miami, Thomasson earned the Richard K. Smucker Outstanding Professor Award, the Farmer School of Business Junior Research Excellence Award, and the Best Paper Award from the journal Explorations in Economic History among other honors.
“Melissa has been an invaluable asset to the Farmer School of Business,” said Jenny Darroch, dean of the Farmer School of Business and the Mitchell P. Rales Chair in Business Leadership. “Her strategic mindset, unwavering commitment to excellence, and ability to build meaningful connections will have a lasting impact, and we are excited for the continued impact she will bring to the wider Miami University community.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.
