COM Outlook Winter 2020

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 25 “I was contacted by an acquain- tance from a university to which I had forgotten I had applied,” he said. “I accepted the job, and right after returning from our honey- moon in August 2009, Jen and I moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, so I could start my position as assist- ant professor of government at Stephen F. Austin State University.” Hollar’s stay in the Lone Star State, however, would prove to be short-lived. Proud NSU Shark While working at the Texas- based university, Hollar learned about an available faculty position in the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program at NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteo- pathic Medicine (KPCOM), which was seeking someone to launch a concentration in health adminis- tration. “My background in public administration and policy, along with my public health research experience, made me feel as though I had an opportunity to land a great job that united aspects of my experiences and expertise back in South Florida.” Less than a year after relocating to Texas, Hollar was back in the Sunshine State working as a faculty member in the KPCOM. Since joining the M.P.H. program in July 2010, Hollar has served as the course director for 8 different courses—a number that will climb to 10 by the end of the 2019–2020 academic year. Hollar currently teaches the Health Policy, Planning, and Management and the Public Health Grant Writing courses. He is also teaching two courses in the college’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health pro- gram—Policies, Systems, and Environments of Health Care and Disparities in Health. In addition to teaching within the KPCOM’s public health bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, Hollar has provided guest lectures for the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences’ Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant and the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneur- ship’s M.B.A. in Complex Health Systems programs. Even before his nearly decade- long affiliation with the KPCOM, Hollar appreciated the strong engagement NSU has with its constituent communities. “I love the diversity of our students and faculty and staff members,” said Hollar, who has been involved with several extramurally funded projects. “It is very rewarding to educate and collaborate with current and aspiring physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, lawyers, business people, and public health profes- sionals who have positive impacts on the communities they serve.” Hollar also acknowledges that many of his KPCOM colleagues have contributed to his profession- al success. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to contribute to, and be a part of, the mission-driv- en teaching, scholarly/research, and service activities of the NSU-KPCOM family,” he said. “Through productive collabora- tions with my colleagues and mentors—especially Drs. Nicole Cook, Cyril Blavo, Rosebud Foster, Kenneth Johnson, Anthony Silvagni, and Elaine Wallace— I am proud of the things I have been able to accomplish as a team player within multiple NSU and KPCOM teams,” he concluded. o FAST FACTS T. LUCAS HOLLAR, PH.D. Hometown • Charleston, South Carolina Education • Ph.D. (public administration) from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida KPCOM Role • associate professor of public health Personal • married to Jen Hollar • father to Elle, 6, and Dean, 3 Extraordinary Life Experiences • running with the bulls seven times in Pamplona, Spain, during the festival of San Fermín • when his wife Jen said “yes” • playing shows with his band across the United States • training in Brazilian jujitsu and mixed martial arts, earning a blue belt in Brazilian jujitsu • being a parent • winning the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration Annual Dissertation Award • hearing other students praise the relevance and application of his work