Chris Lucas
DIRECTOR FOR CAMPUS AUXILIARIES HUMAN RESOURCES
Chris Lucas began his IU Bloomington career in 1995 and, over the years, was promoted through progressive leadership roles in human resources management. Now a senior operational leader for the campus, Chris directs a team that delivers comprehensive human resources to 2500+ staff members (in 12 departments, eight functional classifications, and three labor unions). “It helps to be a student of your craft, to learn the history of the profession and to develop an understanding of why things work the way they do,” Chris said. “Also, to be any good at it, you have to care about others and the experiences they are having as staff members.”
Q: What initially led you to Indiana University – and what has inspired you to stay?
A:A girl and a different girl.
Q: What do you want people to know about your work that they may not know?
A:It's our job to get and keep as many people gainfully employed as we can. Everything that we do is aligned with developing environments where people want to come and spend their working hours.
Q: What's the best part of your job and why?
A:It's always been the people. I work with some really wonderful people who genuinely care about each other and what they do.
Q: Any current plans or projects to share? How does this work intersect with other parts of campus?
A:Sure. In addition to the more routine consultation we do, we're currently working with IUHR and our client organizations to get Performance @ IU off the ground in a meaningful way and have plans to take human resources paperless in the coming year.
Q: What is your favorite dish or place to eat on campus?
A: I've been eating the same sandwich from Dagwood's for almost 30 years. Turkey and provolone with lettuce, tomato, and extra special sauce.
Q: Favorite IU event(s)?
A:I think like most Bloomingtonians, moveout is my favorite IU Event.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A:I'm a compact disc collector. I started with vinyl records in the mid-1970's, shifted to compact disc in the early 1990's and never went back.
Q: What advice do you give people who want to do what you do professionally?
A: I don't think there's any such thing as a natural talent for the work. It helps to be a student of your craft, to learn the history of the profession and to develop an understanding of why things work the way they do. Also, to be any good at it, you have to care about others and the experiences they are having as staff members.