We are pleased to welcome Dr. Frances Lucas to the Coast community. The former president of Millsaps College is now the Vice President and Campus Executive Officer for The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Her list of objectives is even longer than her title: “My vision is to restore and enhance the Gulf Park campus, increase the student experience to the highest quality, support world-class research conducted by our outstanding faculty at Southern Miss Gulf Coast, and partner with business leaders to reignite and grow the Coast economy.”

She’s just the Ph.D. to do it, according to USM President Martha Saunders. “Frances Lucas brings a wealth of professional experience and ability to us,” Saunders said. “She is a seasoned executive, fundraiser and campus/community developer.”

Lucas, whose father Aubrey Lucas twice served as USM president, believes that “the Gulf Coast has some of the greatest potential for growth and entrepreneurial learning of anywhere in the nation.”

She is “thrilled” with her new job, and were thrilled to have her