Deborah A. Thomas, M.A.

Deborah A. Thomas is an Adjunct Assistant Professor with 14 years of academic teaching experience in the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding (NCRP) program at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH).

Thomas is also a private consultant, mediator and master ADR trainer with more than 20 years of experience in the areas of education, administration, and private conflict resolution program development and systems design.  In addition, her experience includes two years with the Algiers Charter Schools Association in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she developed and implemented conflict resolution, parent involvement and service learning programs. She was instrumental in the development, design, implementation and management of the community, youth, and mediator training programs for the Los Angeles County Bar Association Center for Civic Mediation (formally known as Dispute Resolution Services).  

Thomas’ extensive experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) includes conflict resolution curriculum design for schools – she created and produced the first Los Angeles County Bar Association Youth Initiative and Community Mediation Conference, which hosted nationally acclaimed experts in the field of ADR; and worked as a consultant, advisor and trainer with the Mississippi Mediation Project to train Gulf Coast area residents on effective and peaceful ways to mitigate conflicts after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Proud to work with public entities, Thomas was instrumental in creating the first LA County Police/Community Mediation Program in Pasadena, California, and worked with the Mayor of Los Angeles on the Conflict Resolution in Schools and Peacekeeping Youth Summit.  Other collaborations include the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Department of Justice.

In 2004 Thomas was nationally honored by The President and First Lady of the United States for her outstanding work with At-Risk children and school based mediation programs. 

Thomas holds a Master Degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Negotiation and Conflict Management, a Bachelor Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Adolescent and Family Counseling, a Human Resource Management Certificate and several certificates and awards for her outstanding work in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.