Katie Lugar, DHSc, LSW, MSW, ACNP, CNP is a three-time alum of Indiana State University (BSW ’15, MSW ’16, DHSc ’22), a licensed social worker, Doctor of Health Sciences, and advanced certified nonprofit professional. She is a founding board member and President of the Pride Center of Terre Haute, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ community center in Terre Haute, Indiana in which she guides the strategic direction of the center, its operations, affirming programs and services, and Terre Haute Pride Fest.
Dr. Lugar is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equity, working at the local, state, and federal levels to combat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, promote inclusive policy, and foster community support. Appointed by Mayor Sakbun of Terre Haute, Dr. Lugar also serves as an advisory member of the City of Terre Haute Human Relations Commission to support efforts relating to human rights, community engagement workshops, addressing issues of community-based discrimination, and more. She previously served as the ISU Director of Multicultural Services and Programs in which she oversaw the International Student Resource Center, La Casita Student Resource Center, LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, Veteran’s Resource Center, multicultural student organizations, and equity and inclusion efforts on campus.
With the ISU Department of Social Work, she taught a variety of courses including Introduction to the Fields of Social Welfare, Social Work Research, and Social Policy: Societal Response to Human Need. Further, she has led a multitude of regional and national conference presentations as well as published peer-reviewed articles with focus on social justice, LGBTQ+ inclusion, immigrant health, tobacco-free policies, and more. She has been a dedicated member, regional representative, President-Elect, and President for the National Association of Social Workers Indiana Chapter. Dr. Lugar was honored to be recognized as the NASW Indiana 2020 Emerging Social Work Leader, a 12 Under 40 Class of 2023 honoree, and the 2024 NASW Indiana Social Worker of the Year.