Amber Thomas is the Director of Transfer and Academic Partnerships at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, where she brings nearly two decades of experience to expanding student access and simplifying the pathways that make college achievable. A first-generation college student and transfer student herself, she understands firsthand how institutional barriers can derail even the most determined learners — and has spent her career working to change that.
Grounded in a design-thinking approach shaped by her fine arts background, her work spans enrollment strategy, curriculum development, policy and process reform, and cross-institutional collaboration — always with students at the center. Through her work with the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) — including her current role as Chair of the Legislative Issues Committee — and state-level advocacy with MICU and MCAN, she has built a sustained commitment to shaping policy that works for students.
Amber is honored to participate in AACRAO Hill Day, bringing the boots-on-the-ground perspective of the students, families, and colleagues she works alongside every day.
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