CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – The Cincinnati 300, published by Cincinnati Magazine, recognizes Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D. as one of the region’s most powerful business executives for a sixth consecutive year. The publication honors the entrepreneurs, founders, trailblazers, and other leaders across diverse industries who are shaping the future of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.

President Chillo has approached modern challenges in higher education with a strategic and visionary approach. He launched the Second Century Core – an innovative curricular program that places significant emphasis on a Catholic liberal arts education and the University’s mission. Under President Chillo, total enrollment, student persistence, and retention have risen. New academic programs have been added, including undergraduate majors in special education, exercise and health strategies, marketing, finance, life science, philosophy, politics & economics, and hospitality management, and new graduate degree programs including the Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Information Technology Management, Master of Education in Education Leadership, and Master of Science in Nursing.

During his tenure at Thomas More, President Chillo has led the University to unprecedented growth, both in physical footprint and in regional impact. As the University celebrated its centennial in 2021, Dr. Chillo launched the Second Century Campaign, the largest comprehensive capital campaign in the University’s history, surpassing its initial $30 million goal three years ahead of schedule, raising over $47 million. In 2024, the University celebrated the opening of a new, state-of-the-art academic center, and in 2025, Thomas More became a full member of NCAA Division II in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), following a transition from the NAIA that provides elevated opportunities for student-athletes.

President Chillo serves on several regional and community boards, including the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Be NKY Growth Partnership. In 2025, he was elected vice chair of the Association of Kentucky Independent Colleges & Universities (AIKCU) and appointed to the Principles Review Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

In addition to President Chillo, Thomas More also celebrates the following alumni who were recognized in the 2025 edition of the Cincinnati 300:

• Garren Colvin ’86, President & CEO, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
• D. Lynn Meyers ’77, Producing Artistic Director, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati
• Gary Mitchell, President & CEO, Divisions Maintenance Group
• Crystal Morrison ’14, Regional Leader, Fidelity Investments
• Moira Weir ’00, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Cincinnati

To learn more about the Cincinnati 300 publication, visit this page.