Gilbert Fugitt

Biography

With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and ministry leadership experience, Gilbert has honed a sense of working with organizations to build health and high-performance. Gilbert has tremendous experience working with individuals and teams to create a strategic plan that will give measurable results and help you achieve success.

Prior to working with the Townsend Institute, Gilbert was the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Concordia University Irvine. While serving in that role, he gained extensive experience leading teams in working through stressful situations and building a healthy culture.

Gilbert brings a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University that has given him a unique perspective to help clients find what motivates them to do their best work. He has worked with many individuals to create a plan for them to explore their unique path to see and overcome the barriers that are limiting their growth. He utilizes his experience in StrengthsFinder and Emotional Intelligence in working with individuals and teams.

As a faculty member and leadership and executive consultant, Gilbert works consistently with leaders and organizations to make significant changes that have a long-term impact. Gilbert’s goal is to create a culture of trust where people feel the freedom to achieve at the highest level.

Degrees Earned

• Ed.D., Organizational Leadership, Pepperdine University
• M.A., Psychology, Pepperdine University
• B.A., Theology, Concordia University, Seward, NE

Work Experience

• Townsend Leadership Program Director, Coach and Consultant, January 2021–Present
• Professor, Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, California, July 2024–Present
• Associate Professor, Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, California, July 2020–June 2024
• Associate Vice President & Dean of Students at Concordia University Irvine, California, July 2017–June 2020
• Dean of Students at Concordia University Irvine, California, July 2012–2017
• Associate Dean of Students, Community Involvement and Leadership Development, March 2011–January 2012
• Director of Student Leadership and Development, June 2008–March 2011
• Director of Servant Leadership and Development, July 2007–May 2008
• Servant Leadership Coordinator, September 2006–June 2007
• College Task Force Coordinator, September 2003–June 2007
• Director of Christian Education, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arcadia, California, June 2000–June 2007

Courses Taught

• EXCC 604 Leading Change and Motivation
• EXCC 607 Team Coaching
• EXCC 615 Creative Strategy Building
• ORGL 601 Organizational Leadership and Character Development
• ORGL 602 Building Healthy Culture and Performance
• ORGL 603 Leadership Styles, Neuroscience, and Emotional Intelligence
• ORGL 604 Leading Change and Motivation
• ORGL 605 Team Building, Conflict Management and Managing Difficult People
• ORGL 606 Leadership and Transformation
• ORGL 607 Problem Solving, Creativity, and Decision Making
• ORGL 611 Effective Strategy and Execution

Additional Certifications

ICF Certification-PCC; Working Genius; EQi 2.0

Professional Memberships

• International Coaching Federation

Specialized Practice Areas

• Executive Coaching

Awards and Honors

• Servant Leadership Award – 2019
• Hero of Heroes – Spring 2020

Publications

Fugitt, G., and Keith, S.L. “Toward a Lutheran View of Student Affairs: Developing Learned Piety in Community under the Cross of Christ,” in Scott A. Ashmon ed., The Idea and Practice of a Christian University: A Lutheran Approach, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2015).

Presentations

• How to leverage the Working Genius to increase employee engagement within your institution, Network of Continuous Change and Innovation, July 25, 2024
• Four Disciplines of Execution, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Development Training, October 29, 2023
• Working Genius Team Presentation, Bible in the Schools, October 24, 2023
• How to Have a Difficult Conversation, Best Practices in Ministry, February 18, 2023
• Leading with Emotional Intelligence, Association of Lutheran Educators, February 9, 2022
• Leading When You Aren’t in Charge, Lutheran Educators Conference, November 20, 2021
• Generation Z, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Carlsbad, CA, January 28, 2018
• Justification, Crean Lutheran High School, Irvine, CA, December 5, 2016
• Student Involvement in the Assessment and Accreditation Process, 2015 WASC Senior College and University Commission Academic Resource Conference, Oakland, California, April 24, 2015
• Impacting the Millennials, Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Educators Conference, Palm Desert, California, November 26, 2013
• Helping Students Transition to College, Orange Lutheran High School, Orange, CA, May 7, 2013
• Millennial Students, NASPA Region VI Drive-In Conference, California State–San Marcos, CA, April 23, 2012
• Getting Facetime with Generation Y, LoveFest 10, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arcadia, CA, February 11, 2012
• Generation Me, CAPSO Conference, Long Beach Convention Conference, Long Beach, California, November 21–22, 2011
• Student Leadership, CAPSO Conference, Long Beach Convention Conference, Long Beach, California, November 21–22, 2011
• The Service Learning Experience, CAPSO Conference, Long Beach Convention Conference, Long Beach, California, November 21–22, 2011
• How to Coach Millennials (Part 1), Innovatelearning.com, Coaching Skills for Leaders Broadcast, October 3, 2011
• Creating Networks, Emerging Leaders Institute, MiraCosta College, Oceanside, California, April 8, 2011
• Generation Me, Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Educators Conference, Palm Desert, California, November 20, 2010
• Nuts and Bolts of Service Learning, Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Educators Conference, Palm Desert, California, November 20, 2010
• Servant Leadership, Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Educators Conference, Palm Desert, California, November 20, 2010
• Generation Me, LoveFest 7, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arcadia, California, February 12, 2010
• Using Your Strengths!, Christian College Leadership Conference, California Baptist University, Riverside, California, March 21, 2009
• Servant Leadership, Christian College Leadership Conference, California Baptist University, Riverside, California, March 18, 2008
• Young Adult Ministry, Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Equipping Conference, Irvine, California, June 27, 2009
• Serving Your Community, Pacific Southwest District High School District Youth Gathering, Palm Springs, California, November 27, 2007

Trainings Received

• ICF-Advanced Team Coaching Course
• ICF-Team Coaching Supervision