Concordia University, St. Paul is happy to announce that Mychal Thom has accepted a divine call to serve as Associate Dean of Academic Innovation and Chief Diversity Officer at CSP. Thom will begin this new role on the University’s executive leadership team this summer.
He currently serves as Head of School at Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in a role he has held since 2016. Thom is on the roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a Minister of Religion-Commissioned.
In his role as Associate Dean for Academic Innovation, Thom will focus extensively on supporting CSP’s goal of adding between two and four new programs annually, aligned with CSP’s growth plans. He will also teach courses in biological and health sciences. As Chief Diversity Officer, Thom will work with stakeholders across the CSP community to help champion a mindset of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-18) and the advancement of justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). Working closely with CSP’s expanding Diversity Center, Thom will help the team grow the visibility and impact of this important fixture within the CSP community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mychal to CSP,” said the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia St. Paul. “He is a gifted educator, leader, innovator, and strategic thinker. In his dual roles as chief diversity officer and associate dean of academic innovation, he will have the opportunity to use all of his gifts and well-honed expertise in serving students and building strong, creative, and successful organizations.”
Thom holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. In 2009, he completed the Colloquy program at Concordia University Ann Arbor.
Throughout his career, Thom has gained extensive experience as a teacher, coach and administrator at the elementary, high school, and college levels. In 2011, he completed the Van Lunen Fellows program at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, an executive training program for leaders of Christian schools. He also received the 40 Under 40 Award from the Fort Wayne Business Journal in 2016.
“Mychal’s work among us will increase the University’s capacity to help meet the needs of our diverse faculty, staff, alumni, student body, and external constituencies as he helps enable our executive leadership team and board to achieve the outcomes of our ambitious and dynamic strategic and diversity plans,” said Friedrich.