Dr. 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.
