Dr. Gatluak Ter Thach, PhD

Opinion Contributor · Adjunct Professor · Community & Organizational Development Leader · United States

Dr. Gatluak Ter Thach is an Adjunct Professor of Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development at Tennessee State University. He is also the founder and President/CEO of the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), an organization he has led for more than 20 years.

A refugee and immigrant rights advocate, Dr. Thach has served on the boards or advisory bodies of several organizations, including the Sudanese Human Rights Organization, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Advisory Council, the Mayor’s New American Council, Tennessee for All of Us, Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity, Sudanese Presbyterian Church, Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora, South Sudan Relief Rehabilitation Agency – USA, and Volar Collegiate Academy.

Author & Leadership Work

Dr. Thach is the author of My New American Dream and The Life of the Leader. His forthcoming works include The 12 Leadership Principles, Successful Integration, and Why My People Continue to Suffer in South Sudan.

His areas of expertise include community and organizational development, leadership principles and priorities, program and budget planning, strategic planning, partnership building, resource development and grant writing, executive coaching for grassroots leaders, and strategic advocacy.

Education

Dr. Thach earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, with a minor in Mathematics, from Tennessee State University; a master’s degree in Public Service from Cumberland University, where he graduated with Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Science; and a PhD in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Strategic Management from Argosy University in Nashville. He also completed an Effective Leadership Certificate through Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Leadership Education.

Recognition

His recognitions include the White House Champion of Change Award, CEO of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award, Human Right Rising Advocate Award, Power of Inclusion Award, Community Empowering Award, New Immigrant Leadership Award, and Peace Ambassadors USA Award, among others.

South Sudan Press Focus

His contributions to South Sudan Press focus on governance, peacebuilding, leadership accountability, displacement and refugee issues, civic responsibility, and the political roots of conflict in South Sudan.

Contact: pelkuoth@gmail.com