The Voices & Views of ASU: Dr. Ivory Lucas Providing a Glimpse into the Heart of Campus Operations

Summer 2025 Series

Dr. Ivory Lucas is the Vice President for Facilities, Planning, Design and Construction at Albany State University (ASU). With over 12 years of experience in facilities management, Dr. Lucas brings a visionary approach that focuses on not just maintaining but innovating and shaping the university’s environment to foster student success and community growth.

As the university continues to grow and evolve, he believes that the future of ASU lies in the shared commitment to building spaces that empower students to succeed and providing them with the tools and environments they need to thrive. His message is clear: ASU is not just a place to learn, but a community where every decision is made with the students' best interests in mind. 

What initially brought you to ASU in the first place, and what made you stay?
I was drawn to this campus because of the opportunities that ASU offers. With over 12 years of experience in facilities at other institutions, I found that ASU provided excellent prospects. What kept me here is the family-oriented atmosphere, which stands out compared to other places I've worked. Here, we all work together to accomplish our goals.

Can you describe your first memory of being on campus? What stuck with you?
My first visit to campus, before I started working here, was during my undergraduate years. I came with my Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. brothers for a new members presentation. My initial impression was, "Wow, this campus is more active than mine." It was a culture shock to realize that college life could be so vibrant and diverse. 

Is there a place on campus that holds a special memory?
The Koi Pond is a place that holds a special memory for me because it was a moment that truly changed my perspective. The area is in need of repairs, and we had received an offer from the Flint River Aquarium to remove the koi fish and relocate them. Initially, we were considering this as a way to provide the fish with a better home and an opportunity to repurpose the area.

While my team members and I were at the site, discussing our plans, a student approached us. She shared her connection to the fish, explaining how she had named them, fed them, and enjoyed spending time there between classes. She expressed how much she and other students would hate to see both the area and the fish be removed.

That conversation completely shifted my thinking and the direction of our plan. Instead of focusing on rehoming and repurposing the pond, we began to ask ourselves, “How can we affordably repair this?” While we don’t have unlimited resources, we want to do whatever we can to maintain the pond because it adds value not only to our students but to the entire campus community. I even called my wife right after the conversation, because it had such a profound impact on me.

Has a random act of kindness ever happened to you on campus? If so, what happened?
While the random act did not happen directly to me, it took place shortly after we had renovated the second floor of the James Pendergrast Library on the East campus. I was standing there when a group of students walked in and were absolutely blown away, saying, "Wow!"

That moment made all the hard work and challenges of the renovation truly worth it. It’s those kinds of moments on campus that make everything we do behind the scenes feel meaningful. Knowing that the students appreciate the space and are using it to better themselves and their futures really puts everything into perspective.

As someone who represents a dedicated yet often unseen team, how would you prefer people to show appreciation for your work, and what message would you like to share with the campus community about your team?
The most meaningful way to show appreciation is by recognizing both our work and our humanity. In facilities, we’re often overlooked, which is why I pursued my PhD—to help give my team and others a voice in spaces where titles are often seen first. My message is simple: we’re all teammates, working toward the same goal. When we collaborate and consider how decisions impact everyone—from design to daily maintenance, we create a better environment for the entire campus.

If you could bottle up one feeling or moment and share that with others from your time on campus, what would it be and why? It would be seeing students from my hometown of Valdosta succeeding at ASU. We have students who are part of the honors program, and their parents feel at ease knowing they have someone they can trust on campus if they ever need anything.

That is one of the best feelings—knowing that these students are not only thriving here but also have a piece of their hometown to support them.

If you could preserve one thing about the campus forever, what would it be and why?
As someone in facilities, that is a tough question, but if I step outside of that role, I will say the Greek Plots. It’s not just because I’m a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., but because they’re unique spaces that provide a sense of comfort for students in these organizations.

The buildings may change over time, but those plots will always remain—a place you can return to and call home.

Any last messages to the community to broaden their perspective about ASU?
What we have and what we’re building here at ASU is something that many wouldn’t have imagined possible for the future. I truly believe we are transforming the campus to create an environment that will support our students' success—whether in classrooms, learning spaces, or common areas for collaboration. Everything we're doing is designed with the students in mind because they are the future, and we want to provide them with the tools and spaces they need to thrive.

Dr. Ivory Lucas’s work at ASU extends beyond just improving infrastructure; it's about crafting environments that promote student success and community development. His leadership demonstrates a strong dedication to collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every decision supports a dynamic and inclusive campus culture.

As ASU continues to grow, the spaces Dr. Lucas and his team create will have a lasting impact, equipping students with the resources and settings they need to excel and succeed in the future.