Profile for

Brittainy Thomas, M.S., Paralegal

Programs For Minors Coordinator

Brittainy Thomas serves as a Programs for Minors Coordinator at East Texas A&M University, overseeing youth programs focused on safety, compliance and meaningful educational experiences. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education, including roles in academic advising, student success, and administrative leadership. Brittainy holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from East Texas A&M University. She also holds an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies with a focus on e-discovery and legal technology, as well as a Paralegal Certificate from Bryan University. A proud fourth-generation Lion, her great-grandfather graduated from the university—then known as East Texas State Teachers College—in 1936.

In addition to her professional work, Brittainy is an advocate for justice reform and the founder of the Justice for Kimbrala initiative, where she is actively supporting the development of “Kimbrala's Law.” She is also authoring a forthcoming book, Under the Bridge: A Nightscare on Elm Street, which explores accountability and systemic barriers in death investigations. She has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 15 years and is especially proud of their 2 children.

A conversation with Brittainy

What inspired you to pursue your career, and what continues to excite you about your discipline?

My career path has been shaped by a combination of professional experience in higher education and personal experiences that deepened my understanding of justice, advocacy, and institutional responsibility. Working with students over the years showed me how critical it is to create supportive, structured environments where individuals can succeed, feel safe, and be heard. That commitment naturally expanded into my current work, where I focus on protecting minors, ensuring compliance, and building programs that prioritize both safety and meaningful learning.

What's an accomplishment that you're especially proud of, and why?

One accomplishment I'm especially proud of was being selected for a federal policy immersion in Washington, D.C., where I met with two Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States while advocating for H.R. 7379, the MATCH IT Act of 2024, focused on improving patient matching and safety in healthcare systems. That experience connected my academic background, professional work, and advocacy at the highest level, and strengthened my commitment to policy, accountability, and meaningful change.

Education

• M.S., Organizational Leadership and Technology, Higher Education, East Texas A&M University
• B.S., Organizational Leadership, Higher Education, East Texas A&M University
• AAS, Paralegal Studies with a focus on e-discovery and legal technology, Bryan University
• Paralegal Certificate, Bryan University