Loyola Marymount University, one of the largest schools in Los Angeles based on enrollment, has named a new president.
Thomas Poon will take over the helm as the Westchester-based institution’s 17th president on June 1. The school’s current president, Timothy Law Snyder, is retiring.
“President-elect Poon is a perfect selection 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,” Snyder said in a statement. “Under his guidance, LMU will set new standards for how a values-based, innovative, and globally engaged Catholic university can thrive.”
Poon, who has been with the university for eight years, called being named its president an “honor and a privilege.” He worked closely with Snyder as his executive vice president and provost, working together “to advance his vision.”
He said Snyder left behind an impressive legacy which included “growing our visibility beyond our campuses.”
“He has elevated athletics and partnerships with so many local and national organizations. He’s built infrastructure through several new campus buildings, too,” Poon said.
The school currently has roughly 10,000 enrollees, which Poon said was the “perfect size…we are not too big and we’re not too small.”
“Students can get the individual attention that small schools provide,” but also have a large number of opportunities, he added.
Poon’s goals for the school
Looking ahead, Poon said he wanted to “foster innovation in teaching, expand interdisciplinary learning and create a student center that prepares our graduates for the world.”
Long term, Poon is also looking to partner with more organizations in the city.
“L.A. has some incredible industries, (including) entertainment, sports, the legal profession, business and LMU has so much expertise in those areas,” he said.
One of the biggest partnerships thus far is with the Los Angeles Rams football team.
The partnership has included internships for LMU students with the Rams and greater engagement between the two groups. It also included hosting the Rams’ summer training camp at LMU’s campus, as well as 3,000 high school students for a Girls’ Flag Football Jamboree.
“Our partnerships with the local business community are really ripe to provide a resource for them, a pipeline of amazing employees and that is something we want to take advantage of,” Poon said.
He added that “all eyes are going to be on L.A.” ahead of events like the Olympic Games and wildfire rebuilding and that “LMU has a big role to play.”
Previous work at LMU
Before being named president, Poon served as LMU’s executive vice president and provost. In those roles he led 21 programs in areas such as business analytics, education leadership and computer science. He is also credited with securing LMU’s first national research classification.
“President-elect Thomas Poon puts students, faculty and staff at the center of his decisions. 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,” Paul Viviano, LMU Trustee Board chair, said in a statement. “After a robust search, this decision confirmed what many already knew: Tom is a mission-driven leader of character, clarity and consequence.”
Poon is also a professor of chemistry.
Prior to LMU, he held academic and executive roles at Pitzer College, including the rank of interim president.
“I welcome Dr. Thomas Poon as the next president of Loyola Marymount University. Dr. Poon is a distinguished scholar and academic leader, and I look forward to working with him,” José H. Gomez, archbishop of Los Angeles, said in a statement.
