J. Phillip Thompson' Story

J. Phillip Thompson is an urban planner and political scientist, and is currently a Professor of Urban Planning and Politics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The former Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives for the City of New York, Thompson has been a longtime champion of diversity and community-action. As Deputy Mayor, he was responsible for spearheading a diverse collection of priority initiatives and oversaw New York City’s signature Pre-K for All program, as well as overseeing the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises Program, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Department of Youth and Community Development, and the Department of Small Business Services, among others.

Prior to his role as Deputy Mayor, Thompson worked as Deputy General Manager of the New York Housing Authority and as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing Coordination. He continues to be a frequent advisor to trade unions in their efforts to work with immigrant and community groups across the United States. He received a B.A. in Sociology from Harvard University in 1977, a M.U.P. from Hunter College in 1986, and a PhD. in Political Science from the City University of New York Graduate Center in 1990.