Thomas Poon
The LMU Board of Trustees elected Thomas Poon, Ph.D., the seventeenth president of Loyola Marymount University in April 2025, and he assumed office on June 1, 2025. A transformative educator and mission-driven leader, Dr. Poon has advanced academic rigor, inclusive excellence, and LMU’s Catholic mission in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions. During his tenure as executive vice president and provost (2017–2025), LMU was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Dr. Poon also helped launch 21 academic programs, increased support for research and creative activity by more than 80 percent, achieved LMU’s Carnegie R2 designation, and attained federal recognition as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander–Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
Formed by Jesuit education long before his arrival at LMU, Dr. Poon earned a B.S. in chemistry from Fairfield University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles. His academic and administrative expertise was honed through numerous leadership roles at Pitzer College, including interim president and senior associate dean of faculty, where he excelled in shared governance, faculty development, and strategic planning.
His deep commitment to inclusivity and global engagement is evident in efforts to diversify LMU’s tenure-line faculty and expand the university’s reach. Under his academic leadership, LMU significantly increased study abroad participation and forged a range of strategic international partnerships, aligning with the university’s mission to form global citizens. His leadership in Jesuit higher education continues through his service on the Coordinating Board for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Assembly in 2027.
A champion of student-centered initiatives, Dr. Poon has advanced programs that elevate student well-being, belonging, and success. These include the launch of the Summer Internship Fund, the establishment of dedicated student success centers, and the development of state-of-the-art learning facilities such as LMU’s Playa Vista Campus. His vision also extends to innovative local and regional partnerships, including collaborations with the Los Angeles Community College District to co-develop programs and strengthen transfer pathways; new partnerships with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to expand college access and support Catholic education; and LMU’s ongoing partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, alongside other key cultural and educational alliances. Dr. Poon’s presidency advances LMU’s formation of ethical leaders and global citizens in the service of faith and the promotion of justice.
Beyond his professional and academic endeavors, President Poon enjoys spending time with his wife, Cathy, their daughter, Sophie, and their dog, Calypso. In his spare time, he plays the guitar or ukulele and fashions unique and custom items in his garage-turned-maker space.
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