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Dr. Lucas (USNR, RET) originally enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1993. In 1999, she applied for and was accepted to the Enlisted Commissioning Program. After initial officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, she attended California State University, San Marcos and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies, Cum Laude and was commissioned in June 2002. Her initial assignment was to the USS McFaul (DDG 74) after completion of Surface Warfare Officer School. Aboard McFaul, she served as the Ordnance Officer and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. Her second division officer tour was with COMDESRON 26 where she deployed with the staff as the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection training officer, maritime interdictions watch officer, and anti-submarine watch officer for the destroyer squadron. In 2006, LT Lucas transitioned to the Navy Reserve. She served as the Officer In Charge for Naval Security Attachment Detachment B, Officer In Charge for CART TEAM II Det B, and Officer In Charge for Operational Support Unit Wilmington. She then transferred to United States Fleet Forces Command Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Headquarters acting as the deputy training officer. Upon screening and selection for command, she transferred to Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 as the commanding officer of Bravo Company. Upon initially transitioning to the Navy Reserve, Dr. Lucas taught high school English at Unified School District 374 in Sublette, Kansas. In June 2009 she moved to Jacksonville, NC where her husband was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She worked as both a technical writer and curriculum developer for Lockheed Martin and Battelle under contract to the United States Coast Guard developing tactical training curriculum for the Department of Homeland Defense. She retired from the Navy in October 2014. She taught high school English at White Oak High School in Jacksonville, NC before earning a Master of Arts in English with a concentration in Multicultural and Transnational Literature from East Carolina University. Upon successful completion of this credential, she started teaching as a full-time English instructor at Coastal Carolina Community College. While employed at the community college, she also served as a Veteran Student Success Coach for two years. In May 2022, she completed a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at East Carolina University. Her dissertation focused on helping military dependents achieve success in higher education. Her current research interests include student success, military dependents in higher education, career and college and career promise student achievement, and holistic approaches to advising.
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