Biography
Dr. Terry Olson enters his eight year as full-time faculty at Concordia University Irvine after previously serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas-Arlington. He began his educational career as an elementary physical education teacher in both Las Cruces, NM and Mansfield, TX. He currently serves as the Dean of the School of Health and Human Sciences following appointments as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the department of Exercise and Sports Science. Dr. Olson’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University and a Master of Science and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico where he assumed roles as both research and teaching assistant in the Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Program. Dr. Olson’s current research emphasis is on self-regulation and critical thinking of pre-service teachers in physical education and he continues to serve in the classroom where he teaches Motor Development.
Dr. Olson continues to work closely with the community as an advocate for health and wellness. He currently provides health and leadership education for numerous local non-profit organizations on their wellness initiatives and is a founder of the BREATH Foundation offering health and wellness support to the underserved population in Orange County as well as our military members at Camp Pendleton.
Prior to Dr. Olson’s academic career, he served in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft structural mechanic on FA 18 Hornets aboard the USS Independence aircraft carrier stationed in Atsugi, Japan.
Dr. Olson resides in Aliso Viejo with his wife Michele and two children, Tyler and Macey. They are members of the Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Irvine.
Degrees Earned
University of New Mexico, Ph.D in Physical Education, Sports and Exercise Science 2009
University of New Mexico, M.S. in Physical Education Pedagogy 2005
New Mexico State University, B.S. in Physical Education 2000