Thomas Poon, Ph.D. Named as 17th President of Loyola Marymount University
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LOS ANGELES, April 8, 2025 ~ Loyola Marymount University has announced the appointment of Thomas Poon, Ph.D., as the university's 17th president, effective June 1, 2025. Poon, who has served as LMU's executive vice president and provost since 2017, will succeed President Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D., who concludes his tenure this May.

Poon's election was unanimously approved by the university's Board of Trustees. In his current role as executive vice president and provost, Poon has played a crucial role in shaping LMU's academic landscape. Under his leadership, the university achieved Carnegie R2 status and expanded tenure-line faculty diversity. He also oversaw the launch of new academic programs and helped advance major strategic goals.

According to Paul Viviano, chair of the LMU Trustee Board, Poon is a mission-driven leader with a strong commitment to LMU's values. "President-elect Thomas Poon puts students, faculty, and staff at the center of his decisions," said Viviano. "With reverence for LMU's values and the courage to meet the demands of a changing world, he will guide our university to new heights in academic distinction, visibility, and global engagement."

Poon's appointment follows a comprehensive national search led by the LMU Presidential Search Committee. The decision was made after extensive engagement with trustees, regents, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

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In his new role as president of LMU, Poon is expected to continue Snyder's transformative legacy by extending the university's reach and accelerating philanthropic momentum. He is also committed to championing student and faculty innovation while staying true to LMU's Catholic mission in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions.

Snyder himself expressed confidence in Poon's ability to lead LMU into its future with boldness and clarity. "His vision is expansive, his leadership grounded in mission, and his commitment to inclusive excellence unwavering," said Snyder. "Under his guidance, LMU will set new standards for how a values-based, innovative, and globally engaged Catholic university can thrive."

During his time at LMU, Poon has led the launch of 21 new programs in high-impact areas such as business analytics, education leadership, and computer science. He has also increased research and creative work support by more than 80%, securing LMU's first national research classification and reinforcing its standing as a premier Catholic research university.

Poon has also prioritized faculty development and inclusive excellence, investing in LMU's teacher-scholar model. He played a key role in launching the university's Playa Vista Campus and signature programs like the Global Conversations speaker series.

But perhaps Poon's most significant focus has been on students. He has championed well-being initiatives, expanded identity and spirituality resources, and launched the Summer Internship Fund to provide students with career-building opportunities. Poon has also worked to increase global engagement at LMU by expanding study abroad participation by over 60% and building international partnerships that enhance student success.

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Poon's leadership extends beyond LMU's campus as well. He has represented the university on national and international stages, including at the American Council on Education and The Beijing Center.

The appointment of Poon as president of LMU has been welcomed by Most Reverend José H. Gomez, archbishop of Los Angeles. "I welcome Dr. Thomas Poon as the next president of Loyola Marymount University," said Archbishop Gomez. "Dr. Poon is a distinguished scholar and academic leader, and I look forward to working with him."

A tenured professor of chemistry, President-elect Poon is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and author. His work in science education has been supported by multiple NSF grants and has resulted in improved hybrid learning methods, increased STEM representation, and widely used pedagogical tools.

Prior to joining LMU, Poon held academic and executive roles at Pitzer College, including serving as interim president. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from UCLA and a bachelor's degree from Fairfield University.

As he prepares to take on his new role as LMU's 17th president, Poon is grateful for the opportunity to lead a Catholic university. "It is a noble calling to lead a Catholic university," said Poon. "I pray that God will grant me humility, wisdom, and the courage to serve from the heart of the Church, guiding students to seek all that is beautiful, good, and true, and inspiring them to build a society that promotes the sanctity and dignity of the human person created in God's image."
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