Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor, Director of the Filmmaking Program, and Associate Director of the School of Digital Arts (SODA) within the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University. With over 15 years of professional experience spanning commercials, shorts, and feature-length projects, he integrates real-world filmmaking into education by mandating student involvement in all productions—requiring that any project engaging him must also hire his WSU students.

His academic credentials include:

• BFA in Performance, Wichita State University
• MFA in Filmmaking, Vermont College of Fine Arts

Thomas specializes in indie storytelling approaches and regional filmmaking ecosystems, empowering creators outside industry hubs through documentary and narrative works focused on community, conservation, and meaningful local narratives. His recent projects like “Hope in the Heartland” (Tallgrass Film Festival premiere) and “Preserving Kansas Prairie” demonstrate his commitment to student-paid crew positions while exploring prairie conservation and Midwestern identity.

As the instructor of Shocker Studios’ inaugural filmmaking class, Thomas has driven program growth through ICTFILMS commercial partnerships and festival-screened student collaborations. Current productions include the documentary “Preserving Kansas Prairie” (in production), short film “Do It Again” (in post-production), and “Love, Me” (in pre-production), all embedding WSU students in paid technical roles across cinematography, directing, and production.