After a national search, Concordia music professor Dr. Tom Mueller has been named Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. He served as interim dean from May 2025 to January 2026.
“Tom knows Concordia University Irvine and the liberal arts well,” says Julie Melberg, a mathematics professor and department chair for computer science, mathematics, and engineering who chaired the search committee.
“As interim dean, he advocated for faculty and was intentional about building relationships with faculty and staff. To that end, he met with every single faculty member in the School of Arts & Sciences to hear their concerns and ideas. He has been intentional about building relationships across campus.” Mueller, an accomplished organist who performs the works of Bach around the world, came to Concordia in 2015 as a member of the music faculty and began serving as music department chair in 2021. He hails from a long line of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod members and grew up in Maine, the child of talented amateur musicians.
Mueller earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music, a Master of Sacred Music in organ from the University of Notre Dame, and a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz composition and piano from the University of Maine at Augusta, where he graduated summa cum laude. His compositions have been broadcast on national radio and television, and his recordings include works released on the Gothic label. His published organ and choral works are available through ECS/MorningStar Publishing and Concordia Publishing House.
Mueller emerged from among more than two dozen applicants in part due to his understanding of the cross-disciplinary nature of a liberal arts education. “I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to get out of my discipline and work with colleagues from other areas, both faculty and administration,” he says.
“I like to find creative ways to accomplish what we need to accomplish and do our very best for students.” His most recent appointment represents the latest progression of his broadening educational vision, he says.
“As I’ve moved deeper into administration and leadership, I’ve come to understand better that the vocation of an individual in those roles is still to directly serve students in the sense that we have to keep the lights on, classes scheduled, instructors in place, and resources present,” he says. “This role is more behind-the-scenes but just as critical as that frontline instruction in making sure students get the best education we can offer.”
The search committee noted that Mueller has handled complex situations with a remarkably light touch, stepping back to look carefully at all available information and considering issues from different angles.
“Tom is very methodical, logical, and detail-oriented, and he translates that into wisdom and discernment and tries new things if they make sense,” says Melberg.
Mueller also possesses a deep appreciation for the University’s commitment to the Great Commission.
“I take a great deal of heart in how aware our faculty, adjunct faculty, administrative leaders, and support staff are of the University mission and how this interfaces with their day-to-day roles,” Mueller says. “I really appreciate that we are maintaining that kind of culture. To look around a room and know with certainty that everybody is there because they care about this place and our mission and the work we do with our students — that is a great starting place for working on a challenge.”