Dr. Kent Schlichtemeier, Ed.D.
Director, Servant Leadership Institute
Concordia University Irvine
Kent Schlichtemeier has enjoyed serving for over four decades as a leader in education. He began his career teaching 6th-8th grades. After completing his Master’s degree at the University of Denver, he taught and coached at the high school level in Orlando, FL. Kent served as a Professor in the School of Education at Concordia University Irvine from 1988-2003 where he mentored future teachers. In addition to teaching at Concordia, Kent was the women’s basketball coach until retiring from coaching in 1993 to pursue his doctoral degree. During the final two seasons of Kent’s tenure as coach, the Lady Eagle basketball team made two consecutive appearances at the NAIA National Basketball Tournament after winning the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships. Kent was named the District Three NAIA Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1993 and was inducted into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Kent completed his Ed.D. at UCLA in Educational Leadership. Kent served as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Orange Lutheran High School from 2003-2007 before returning to teach at Concordia University Irvine and most recently serve as the Dean of the School of Education.
Today, Kent is thrilled to serve as the inaugural Director of the Servant Leadership Institute. Kent enjoys frequent opportunities to speak at sports banquets, school graduations, teacher conferences, leadership retreats, and business seminars. Kent is a co-author of the book Timeless Leadership Principles: Building Champions for Life.
Kent and his wife Cindy, are blessed by God with two children - Aaron and Kayla.
Dr. Lori Doyle
Associate Professor and MAEL Director, School of Education
Assistant Director, Servant Leadership Institute
Dr. Lori Doyle works as Associate Professor of Education at Concordia University Irvine where she serves as Director of the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program and Assistant Director of the Servant Leadership Institute. She has completed and managed extensive curriculum development projects at the university and serves as Subject Matter Expert for courses in multiple MA programs.
Working as an instructor also keeps her mindful of relevant and changing trends in education. Lori has taught at several universities over the past twenty- two years, but her career began as a high school English and theology teacher and curriculum writer. She holds a California Clear Credential in Secondary Education, MAEd in Curriculum and Instruction, and a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition. Lori maintains a robust commitment to research and writing; she also enjoys opportunities to collaborate and present at academic and education conferences throughout the year.
Dr. Mary Scott
CEO and Executive Director
Orange Lutheran High School
Dr. Mary Scott currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. Previously she served as the Head of School at Concordia International School Shanghai, China. She held that position from July, 2016 – June, 2020. Prior to serving at Concordia Shanghai, Mary served in numerous roles at Concordia University Irvine. She completed her years of service there as the Executive Vice President of the University and Provost.
Dr. Scott has spoken at numerous events throughout her career in educational ministry. Her topics have included leadership, women’s leadership, life balance, personal growth and crisis management. She has a heart and a passion for various cultures. Mary has an earned doctorate from Pepperdine University. She has received a number of awards for her service, including the prestigious Spiritus Christi award from her Alma Mater, Concordia University, Chicago.
Dr. Scott is married to Dan. They have three daughters. Their youngest daughter is a student at Orange Lutheran High School.
Michelle Thompson
Director, Executive Coaching & Consulting Program
Townsend Institute
Concordia University Irvine
Michelle Thompson is the Director of the Executive Coaching and Consulting program at the Townsend Institute at Concordia University.
As a Leadership and Growth Coach, credentialed as a Professional Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation, she brings a breadth of executive leadership experience in the non-profit and for-profit sectors combined with almost two decades of involvement with the Townsend Growth Model.
Degrees and Certifications
- M.S., Organizational Development, Abilene Christian University
- M.A., Children's and Family Ministry, Bethel Seminary
- B.A., Elementary Education, Concordia University Chicago
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation
- Certificate, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation, Abilene Christian University
Clifton L. Taulbert
Pulitzer Nominated Author
Noted American Speaker
Clifton Taulbert, a Pulitzer nominee grew up on the Mississippi Delta during the era of legal segregation. Although his opportunities were few, he dreamed beyond the fields of the Delta. Those dreams were nurtured by the community of caring adults who saw their future through his lengthening steps. They stepped up and become the community he would need to grow his dreams. Their UNSELFISH LEADERSHIP worked.
Today, Taulbert, a Time Magazine recognized entrepreneur is also recognized globally as a builder of community within our workplaces and where we teach and learn. Taulbert has lectured for Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies as well as entrepreneurial start-ups. He has also lectured at Harvard University Principals Center, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Supreme Court and was a guest speaker at the United Nations hosted Global Innovation Conference.
Taulbert’s K-12 Leadership consulting has been embraced internationally through the Department of Defense Schools throughout Europe and the International School in Europe and in Central America. Taulbert has captured the “Community” of his youth in his internationally embraced book: "Eight Habits of the Heart" (Penguin) and more recently his "Eight Habits of the Heart for Educators" (Corwin Press) which made its debut at Harvard University Principals Center. Taulbert believes that the culture we create and the way we engage with others are essential for success within all our workplaces and learning places. He sees Building Community as our commitment to an inclusive and collaborative culture.
Taulbert has been inducted in the United States Enlisted Airmen’s Hall of Fame. He serves on the board of the Eudora Welty Foundation and Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Historical Society as well as a Trustee for the University of Tulsa. His first book, "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored" was requested as a gift for Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison. Taulbert was one of the voices of community chosen by CNN to welcome the new millennium.