Linda J. Thompson is a native Oklahoman, born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the Late Rev. and Mrs. Moses E. Paulden, Jr. as one of six children and the only girl. Educated in the Oklahoma City Public Schools, she is the part of the proud and rich history of Douglass Senior High School, where she held many leadership positions, member of several honors societies, and graduated in the top 5% of her class of 500+ graduates. 

Upon entering Lincoln University of Missouri in 1971, she became active in numerous student organizations throughout the four years, to include the SGA, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., English Department, Spanish Club, and Student Special Services where she served as an English tutor.  She was nominated into the Who’s Who of Colleges and Universities.  She graduated in 1975 with a BA degree in English.  She successfully earned a Masters of Business Administration with honors from Strayer University in 1995. 

Professionally, she is currently the Acting Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   Prior to joining U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, she was the Executive Director of Bethel House, Inc., a non-profit faith-based organization, where she coordinated one of the first faith-based sponsored welfare-to-work job readiness program in the Washington metropolitan area.  She has also served as the National Executive Director of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for ten years.

Lincoln University has always been close to the heart of Linda.  She credits Lincoln for her professional and emotional growth.  She is currently the National President of the Lincoln University National Alumni Association (2000-2003).  She previously served six consecutive years as the National Executive Secretary for the Alumni Association and as president of the Washington, D.C. Chapter.

Linda’s scriptural base is “…be weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not...” She is a member of Union Bethel A.M.E. Church of Brandywine Maryland.  She serves, voluntarily, as the administrator of the Union Bethel F.O.C.U.S. InterGenerational Center, Inc., overseeing the day-to-day operations of a full service child care center, banquet facility, and community outreach center located in Temple Hills, Maryland.