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Lucas Diaz, PhD

Program Manager-Mellon Graduate Program in Community-Engaged Scholarship
Tulane University
Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Lucas Díaz, PhD, Program Manager of the Mellon Graduate Program in Community-Engaged Scholarship at Tulane University. Lucas is a Dominican-born immigrant who has lived in the New Orleans area since the 1970s. He received a BA from Loyola University New Orleans, an MFA from the University of New Orleans Writing Workshop, and a PhD in Sociology from Tulane University’s City, Culture, and Community program. Lucas is the father of two and when not working on community-based projects or academic research, he attempts to work on creative writing projects. Since 2000, Lucas has worked in non-profit management, community engagement and organizing, government-based public participation, sociological research, leadership development, program design, implementation & management, writing and non-profit fundraising. As the co-founder and inaugural executive director of Puentes New Orleans from 2007 to 2011, a New Orleans based non-profit organization, Lucas developed an independent, viable local institution that focused on community development. While at Puentes, Lucas designed and implemented various initiatives, including a Spanish language first-time homebuyer program, a voter registration program, a criminal justice effort aimed at increasing law enforcement cooperation in helping newcomer communities feel safe, and a civic leadership fellowship. As the first director of the Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office for the City of New Orleans from 2011 to 2013, Lucas designed and implemented the city's first-ever public participation office. During his time in City Hall, Lucas trained staff, wrote public participation policies, and designed community engagement programs that are still operating in 2023. During his years as a doctoral candidate between 2013 and 2022, Lucas consulted in community-engaged initiatives with the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, the Foundation for Louisiana, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, and HousingLOUISIANA. Lucas is also an adjunct instructor in the Tulane Sociology Department.

Disclosure information not submitted.

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