Dr. Kristy Lucas Named New Pharmacy Dean

Kristy Lucas

The University of Charleston recently announced the appointment of Dr. Kristy Lucas as Dean of the UC School of Pharmacy. Dr. Lucas, who has been with the university since 2010, is currently serving as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. She will start in her new role on August 1, 2022.

“We are fortunate to have Dr. Lucas assume this critical leadership position,” said UC President Marty Roth. “Given the school’s opportunities and challenges, and the confidence and trust her students, colleagues, and the administration have in Dr. Lucas, we are confident that we have the right Dean at the right time for the School of Pharmacy.”

Before her time as the associate dean, Dr. Lucas also served as a full professor at UC – following more than a decade at West Virginia University as an associate professor in both the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine. While at UC, Dr. Lucas has been instrumental in the modernization of the pharmacy school curriculum – leading to improved NAPLAX pass rates and high employment rates for pharmacy school graduates.

“I am humbled and truly honored by the trust placed in me as the new Dean,” said Lucas. “As a longstanding faculty member and recent administrator, I am deeply committed to leading the SOP as we move forward as a strengthened and stable program. We have nationally recognized faculty and award-winning students who bring much integrity and optimism to our future. I am excited to work with such a great team at the University and School levels. UCSOP is known for producing excellent quality pharmacists who positively impact their communities through advocacy, scholarship, innovation, and exceptional patient care, with expertise in providing healthcare to rural and underserved populations. I intend to continue this tradition of excellence, while creatively leveraging our talents to reach new horizons as a program.”

Dr. Lucas graduated from Campbell University School of Pharmacy in North Carolina and completed her residency in Clinical Pharmacy Practice at Charleston Area Medical Center. She takes over as dean for Dr. Scott Weston, who leaves UC for a similar position elsewhere.