February 18, 2025
OCVIBE, the visionary entertainment and lifestyle district coming to Anaheim, is proud to announce Concordia University Irvine as a Founding Partner and its Official Education Partner. This groundbreaking partnership marks a transformative step for both organizations, creating opportunities to showcase Concordia’s reputation as a regionally and nationally recognized institution that fosters unique professional and academic experiences for its students.
Through this collaboration, OCVIBE and Concordia will jointly develop innovative programs designed to enhance the educational journey of Concordia University Irvine students. These initiatives will include:
- Internships: Hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in careers in sports, business, hospitality, and entertainment.
- Speaker Series & Mentorships: Access to industry leaders and professionals, fostering valuable connections and real-world insights.
- Capstone Projects: Collaborative projects allowing students to apply their skills in meaningful, real-world scenarios.
Looking to the future, OCVIBE and Concordia will also create a dedicated workspace at OCVIBE, offering students and the community a dynamic environment to collaborate and learn within the heart of this cutting-edge district.
“Concordia University Irvine is thrilled to serve as the sponsoring educational partner with OCVIBE, a new locale that will become the heart of Orange County,” said Dr. Michael A. Thomas, President of Concordia University Irvine. “Filled with sports and entertainment venues, restaurants, hotels, residential housing, business spaces, and open plazas, OCVIBE will be the place to be in Southern California! We have caught Henry and Susan Samueli’s vision for this transformative project, and we applaud their ongoing commitment to Orange County. And we just knew that Concordia’s faculty, staff, and students had to be part of this. Concordia University Irvine has called OC home for nearly 50 years, so we cannot imagine a more fitting and strategic partnership to showcase our educational offerings and the talents of our students with the citizens of Orange County!”
As part of the partnership, Concordia University Irvine will also play an integral role in community engagement at OCVIBE, serving as the presenting partner for one tentpole community event each year and hosting four public performance arts events annually within the district. Concordia will also benefit from LED and static signage throughout the OCVIBE campus, reinforcing its role as an educational leader and its deep connection to Orange County.
In addition to aligning with OCVIBE, Concordia University Irvine is becoming the Official Education Partner of the Anaheim Ducks and Honda Center. More details on this exciting collaboration will be shared closer to the start of the Ducks’ 2025–2026 season, highlighting the expanded opportunities for Concordia students and the greater Anaheim community.
“Concordia University Irvine’s commitment to academic excellence and community enrichment aligns perfectly with OCVIBE’s mission to inspire and connect people through exceptional experiences,” said Graham Siderius, OCVIBE’s Chief Partnerships Officer. “We’re thrilled to welcome Concordia as a Founding Partner and look forward to creating transformative opportunities together.”
About OCVIBE
OCVIBE is a vibrant entertainment district at the heart of Anaheim in Orange County, California. Currently in development by the Samueli Family and OC Sports and Entertainment (OCSE), OCVIBE will reimagine the downtown experience by turning 100 acres in Anaheim into an easily accessible, walkable district designed to bring surrounding communities together at the intersection of culture and entertainment. OCVIBE will surround Honda Center with serene park space and introduce a broad selection of eclectic dining options, concerts and nightlife, and a rotation of immersive entertainment experiences not found elsewhere in Orange County. For more information, visit ocvibe.com.
About Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine, part of the Concordia University System, is a private, nonprofit Christian university that is proud to be one of the founding institutions of higher education in Irvine, California. For nearly 50 years, we have developed “wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens” through distinctive Lutheran education. Today, we educate nearly 5,000 students on campus and online, and our alumni network has grown to over 25,000 worldwide. We’re recognized as a top-ranked university for Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report and a fierce NCAA Division II PacWest competitor. Learn more at cui.edu.
