Office of the President

About President Thomas

Dr. Michael A. Thomas has served as president of Concordia University Irvine since 2020, leading one of Southern California’s most dynamic private Christian universities through an era of strategic growth, institutional strengthening, and deepened community impact. Under his leadership, Concordia has expanded its footprint to three campuses and matured into a comprehensive university offering 60+ programs from the baccalaureate through Ph.D. levels, with an operating budget exceeding $100 million and an enrollment approaching 5,000 students across on-ground and online learning modalities.

During Dr. Thomas’s tenure, Concordia has solidified high-profile partnerships that connect academic preparation to real-world opportunity. Notably, the university became the official education partner of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, forging a long-term collaboration that extends Concordia’s presence into professional sports and community engagement. Concordia is also a founding and official education partner of OCVIBE, a visionary sports and entertainment district in Anaheim that will serve as a hands-on learning hub for students pursuing careers across business, hospitality, and media sectors. In the arts, Concordia collaborates with organizations such as the Pacific Symphony and PBS SoCal — hosting immersive programs on campus and producing made-for-TV music specials that broaden access to creative experiences and highlight the university’s role in the cultural life of the region and the nation.

Dr. Thomas has stewarded significant capital investments and academic innovation, from the expansion of engineering and computer science programs to facility enhancements that support athletics, performing arts, and holistic student formation. These initiatives align with his vision of a Lutheran university that integrates rigorous scholarship, vocational formation, and community service.

Before arriving at Concordia University Irvine, Dr. Thomas held senior academic leadership roles at Concordia University Portland, including Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Honors Program, experiences that informed his commitment to the Lutheran Intellectual Tradition, academic excellence, and institutional stewardship. His academic training includes a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from the University of Washington, and a B.A. from Concordia University Portland.

Dr. Thomas lives out Concordia’s mission — to develop wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens guided by Christ’s Great Commission — with a clear emphasis on preparing students for meaningful, vocation-driven contributions to church and society.

Tours with President Thomas

We invite you to join President Michael A. Thomas, Ph.D., on curated tours to experience the arts in some of the most beautiful places in the world. For additional information about our tours, contact Nicole Michaelis, Executive Assistant to the President, at (949) 214-3201 or [email protected].

Speeches, Writings, & Media