MICHAEL THOMAS
PRESIDENT
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
WHY: Leads private Lutheran Christian university with more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. Serves 1.5K undergraduate and 1.9K post-baccalaureate and graduate students at its Irvine campus.
IN THE NEWS: Announced as a founding partner and official education partner of OCVibe, a $4B development in Anaheim backed by the Samuelis, in February. Partnership will create internships, as well as a dedicated workspace at OCVibe for Concordia students to learn in.
NOTABLE: In the middle of a $45M renovation of the campus, including the construction of a new fitness and training center and expansion of a pre-existing worship center. School aims to open both projects in the spring of 2026, in time for Concordia’s 50th anniversary.
QUOTABLE: “Concordia is very attuned to raising up the next generation of employees in Orange County, and we want to meet the needs of the business industry.”
