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Emergency Alert
UDC Operating Remotely on Friday, Jan. 30

The University of the District of Columbia’s academic and administrative offices will conduct business remotely on Friday, Jan. 30. All on-campus activities, including athletic-related activities, are cancelled.

Campuses will reopen on Monday, Feb. 2.

Staff: Contact your immediate supervisor with questions or for further instruction regarding remote work expectations. 

Faculty: Reach out to your immediate supervisor and/or the dean for questions and further instruction regarding the transition to emergency remote instruction (ERI).  The Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) is available to support faculty with instructional continuity, including support for Blackboard, Zoom, Webex and other teaching and learning technologies. 

CAL Faculty Support Resources

calhelpdesk@udc.edu 
Virtual Office Hours
Consultation Request Form

For learning technology tools and on-demand faculty resources, please visit CAL’s website.

Students: Due to inclement weather, the university will be closed to face-to-face operations. Instruction will be moved to emergency remote, including synchronous and asynchronous methods. Certain laboratory, clinical, and other hands-on classes for which in-person instruction is a requirement may necessitate a make-up lesson, but every effort will be made to pursue virtual learning to the extent possible. Where synchronous virtual instruction is intended, published class meeting times must be observed so that students’ schedules are not disrupted.

The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community remain our top priority. We will continue to provide updates regarding the status of the university’s academic and administrative offices as conditions change.

Please continue to check our website and social media channels for the latest information.

If you have any safety concerns, contact OPSEM at 202-274-5050. For all immediate emergencies, call 911.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to UDC’s mission. 

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Richard Lucas

Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer

Richard Lucas, Ph.D.

Richard LucasDr. Richard L. Lucas, Jr., serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), where he is the principal architect behind the university’s comprehensive advancement strategy. In this senior executive role, Dr. Lucas leads UDC’s efforts to cultivate transformational philanthropic partnerships, invigorate alumni engagement and strengthen multi-sector external relations. Under his leadership, he has been instrumental in aligning donor intent with institutional priorities—fueling strategic initiatives, expanding student access and enhancing UDC’s standing as a national model for inclusive, urban, public higher education. With a value-driven approach rooted in access, equity and excellence, Dr. Lucas champions UDC’s mission to uplift communities, foster innovation and empower the next generation of changemakers in the District of Columbia and beyond.

Over the course of his 25+ year career in higher education, nonprofit and foundation leadership, Dr. Lucas has launched and managed major fundraising and capital campaigns with combined goals exceeding three-quarters of a billion dollars. His expertise spans fundraising strategies, board development, budget management, systems innovation and external relations at the community, state and federal levels.

Dr. Lucas began his professional career as a Computer Systems Analyst and later served as Director of IT, bringing a strong foundation in technology to his leadership in higher education. At Bowie State University, he spearheaded the institution’s first signature STEM experiential learning program—EI² (Education Innovation Initiative)—and led the development of a cybersecurity training partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). His distinguished technology background led to his appointment to the Governor of Maryland’s Workforce Development Board–Cybersecurity and Technology Task Force, where he contributed to shaping statewide policy and workforce strategies designed to meet the rising demand for cybersecurity talent in Maryland’s innovation economy.

He has held senior leadership positions at institutions including the University at Buffalo, Howard University, Elizabeth City State University, Bowie State University and Clark Atlanta University, and has played active roles in community-based economic development, budget development, institutional accreditation and external relations. As an Adjunct Instructor, he has taught courses on the effective integration of technology in 21st-century schools.

Dr. Lucas is involved in several national professional organizations, including the National Society for Distinguished Professionals, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). Through this engagement, he works to elevate standards, foster innovation and promote equity within the field of institutional advancement.

Dr. Lucas is a proud graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University, an Adventist Healthcare Executive Fellow, a Millennium Leadership Initiative Fellow with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and an alumnus of Leadership Maryland.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management, plus a Master’s and a Doctorate in Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

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