Tyler Thomas joined the college in 2016 as an adjunct instructor and the creator of the first Digital Content Strategy course in the college. During his time in the college, Tyler has continued to teach Digital Content Strategy at the undergraduate level while also developing new courses including the graduate/undergraduate course, "Social Intelligence" which covers social and online listening and the 5-Week NIL Pop-Up "The Reel Deal" Instagram Storytelling.
Tyler's research is specific to the use and application of social media in different applied contexts. He is most interested in exploring how social media and digital communication is leveraged to connect the human side of a brand, business or organization and becomes a framework for leaders to apply their their own leadership style in a modern age.
His research has included working with leading digital leadership researcher Josie Ahlquist, examining how leaders in Higher Education use social and digital media and its impact on their campus leadership and overall formation of their leadership style.
Tyler has co-published research building best practices and frameworks for social media use in Extension programs at universities building a toolkit with Nebraska Extension.
Tyler is a working industry professional. He started his career an advertising agency working in the digital space and graduated to navigating a near-decade stint with University Communication at the University of Nebraska. He now leads a global strategic communication team as part of the Brand and Communication team at Hudl, a leading sports technology company.
In his career, he has won numerous industry awards for his work in strategic communication, social media, brand and creative and public relations.
He is an invited speaker and emcee at industry events; including being the first social media correspondent for CASE and twice was faculty chair for the international social media conference for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
We has given keynote presentations on the top stages and facilitated workshops across the country including keynoting and emceeing the Social Media Strategies Summit for Higher Education in NYC.
Tyler is active in teaching both at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications as well as Harvard University. At Harvard, Tyler has co-created the Digital Content Marketing professional workshop offered to working executives across the globe and was the instructor of record for the Facebook Digital Marketing course.
Tyler holds a master's degree in educational administration, an executive certificate in leadership and a bachelors of journalism all from the University of Nebraska.
Tyler lives with his wife and two kids in Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to working professionally and teaching, Tyler is founder and managing editor of Nebraska Foodie an Instagram food blog that highlights local food businesses across the Cornhusker state.