Trent Thurman is a seasoned higher education leader and educator with a passion for shaping the future of undergraduate, graduate, and executive education. As Assistant Dean and Director of Executive Education at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Trent is dedicated to empowering individuals to become exceptional leaders. Prior to LBJ, Trent led the professional MBA portfolio at the McCombs School of Business for nine years, where he successfully propelled the program to the #6 ranking in the U.S. News & World Report's part-time programs category, the highest ranking in program history. He also directed McCombs’ pioneering master's program in Technology Commercialization (MSTC) for nearly five years. Under his direction, MSTC was perennially ranked as one of the world’s top programs for entrepreneurship and innovation. Trent has also held senior leadership positions at the business schools at the University of Tennessee, his undergraduate alma mater, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

An award-winning assistant professor of practice, Trent has taught undergraduate, graduate, and executive students in the areas of organizational behavior, leadership, entrepreneurship, and global business. His teaching style has earned honors from the McCombs Undergraduate Business Council, the Texas Asian Business Students Association, the MS in Technology Commercialization, and the Executive Master’s in Public Leadership. Trent has also led more than 30 graduate-level global seminars to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

Recognized for his contributions to the campus community, Trent was awarded the President's Outstanding Service Award from the University of Texas and the Student Services Excellence Award from the McCombs School of Business, reflecting his unwavering dedication to academic excellence and student success. Trent is also actively involved in the community, having served as president of the Austin chapter of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association, a board member of the Trail Conservancy, the educational advisory board for Galvanize Austin, and the SXSW EDU Launch Advisory Council. Trent previously served as President of the Memphis, Tennessee chapter of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association and was later elected to the National Board of Governors. Trent also serves on the Board of Directors for Safely, Inc., an Austin-based start-up, and has advised other early-stage start-ups and small businesses.