Concordia College

Meet Our Staff

Lois Cogdill

Lois came to Concordia as Associate Dean of Students in 1993 and assumed the role of Dean of Student Development in September 2005.  She supervises the areas of academic support and referral, Academic Enhancement Center, Career Center, Counseling Center, Orientation, Student Leadership and Service and Student Programming.  Lois earned her undergraduate degree in English and her Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor.  Her husband Brad is employed with the North Dakota State University Extension Service and they have one daughter Meghan.

Jim Meier

Jim joined Concordia's Student Affairs staff in 1974 as Director of On-Campus Housing.  He was promoted to Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life in 1979, and then Associate Dean of Students in 1984.  He assumed the role of Dean of Student Life in September 2005 and supervises the areas of Security/Public Safety, Campus Information, Communication Services, Health Services, Post Office, Residence Life and Student Life facilities.  Jim earned his undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College and his Master's Degree in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University - Mankato.  Jim's wife, Sue, co-owns a business in Fargo and they have two grown, married daughters and one grandson.

Chelle Lyons Hanson

Chelle has served as the Director of Student Leadership and Service since the summer of 1990.  Her professional responsibilities include coordinating and/or supervising the overal Service-Learning and civic engagement efforts, student programming and leadership development programs including:  Course-based Service-Learning; Campus Service Commission; America Reads; VISTA Volunteer program; Service-Learning for Vocation grant; Student Programming; Student Association; Insight:  The May Internship.

The Student Leadership and Service website provides more information about the programs and services of the office.  http://student.cord.edu/dept/leadserv/index.shtml

Chelle has an M. Div. from United Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Concordia College with a major in Elementary Education.  Her previous professional experience includes camp director, church youth director, event/conference planner, Chemical Dependency Chaplain and Outdoor Recreation Specialist.  Chelle is married to Chip Hanson, also a Concordia graduate who is a teacher with "Transition Academy," West Fargo Schools.

Jasi O'Connor

Jasi joined the Residence Life team in the fall of 1996.  She received her B.A. degree from Concordia College and her M.S. degree in Counseling and Student Affairs from Minnesota State University Moorhead.  During her tenure in the residence life department at Concordia, she has served as the Hall Director for Hoyum Hall, Brown Hall, and the International Center.  She has also served as Assistant and Associate Director of Residence Life.

In her free time, Jasi enjoys scrapbooking, stamping, reading, and spending time with family and friends. 

Jay Thoreson

After an 11 year journey, Jay and his wife, Kelly, returned to the Red River Valley where he assumend the position of Career Center Director at Concordia in 1998.  Previously, Jay worked in the area of career services at Wheaton College (IL), Arizona State University, and the University of North Dakota.  In addition to career services work, Jay worked in residence life at UND and with a community juvenile probation program.  He holds a MA in Counseling with Rehabilitation Services cognate and a BA in Psychology from UND.  Jay and Kelly are the proud parents of four terrific sons.  Much or their family time is spent with music, sports, enjoying the outdoors, and a variety of ministries through their local church, Bethel Evangelical Free Church.