An Introduction to Lisa Huck, Registrar

Another face you will see hanging around the Candy Bowl, and one of the single most important people at the whole div school, is our Registrar, the amazing Lisa Huck. Many of you have begun to ask questions about class registration and course selection, and we're sure you've noticed that we keep saying "talk to the Registrar" or "Lisa Huck explains it all", so we figured it's about time to introduce you to this hilarious and wonderful member of the YDS community. Lisa will quickly become your best friend, as she is (amongst other things) the person who approves our schedules, helps in academic crises, and ensures we are all able graduate. She has a wealth of institutional knowledge and memory at YDS as an alumna ('88) and a long-time staff member. Plus, when Lisa sent us her responses to these questions, she said she was in a "silly mood." How often do you associate "silly" with the word "Registrar?"

It's hard to find pictures of Lisa. This might be why.
(That's not a dummy, but webmaster Brock Campbell)

Q. Many students don't realize how much the Registrar does for each student—how would you describe your role(s) on campus?
A. My short (and perhaps somewhat flippant) answer to this question is that the Admissions Office gets the students in, and my office gets them out. Hopefully successfully.

Seriously, we are responsible for all the administrative details of a student’s enrollment at YDS: from registration and course enrollment through the student’s successful completion of degree requirements (graduation) through post-graduation information requests. Specifically? In no particular order: registration, drop/add, extension requests, any petitions to the Professional Studies committee, transcript requests, enrollment verification, degree verification, course proposals and set-up, classroom assignments, adviser assignments, degree audits, forms of all kinds, tuition billing, change in enrollment status (FT/PT), the YDS facebook, retention of records within federal guidelines, and lots of other things that may or may not be of interest to students. 

I have an open door policy and no appointment is necessary. No such thing as a stupid question – when in doubt, come talk to me!

In addition, and unrelated to my role at Registrar, I am the Divinity School’s Title IX Coordinator. As people may know, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is federal legislation which protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities. This can include sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of misconduct. The University takes very seriously its commitment to provide an environment free from discrimination on the basis of gender and has appointed a Title IX Coordinator in each school to provide information, track and resolve complaints, and address issues relating to gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct.


Q. What do you find to be the best and the most difficult parts of your position?
A. Hmm… Best is certainly getting to know the students, and knowing I have helped in some small way in a student’s journey here at YDS. My favorite day of the YDS year is graduation day – seeing students successfully complete their time here, seeing their joy and the delight on the faces of their loved ones, is a great reward. Most difficult? Maybe dealing with the administrative complications and restrictions of being one school in the midst of a large University.


Q. You seem to know just about everything about YDS. How long have you been at YDS, and in what various roles? How was it coming back in the book store and now as registrar after being a student here?
A. I started at YDS a loooong time ago, as an MDiv student in the Fall of 1980 (clearly I was a prodigy, as I am quite certain I am only 35 years old now). After two years I “hit the wall,” ran out of steam and of money, and decided to take some time off. I left for 5 years to regroup, and worked in another area of the University. Returned in ’87, graduated in ’88, and I’ve been at YDS ever since: almost 20 years running the bookstore, and 4 years as registrar.

It’s been great to have been part of YDS for all these years. Not all of them were good, but I feel better about YDS now than I ever have. Brilliant and compassionate faculty, friendly and supportive staff, and amazingly talented students.

Lisa offered up several zingers as a judge in the 2012 Div
School Idol competition.

Q. If you could give one piece of advice for incoming students as someone who has both been through BTFO and been a part of several BTFOs, what would it be?
A. Believe it or not, I missed my own BTFO because of a summer work commitment. It was very different then (a couple-day retreat), but it was still a big mistake to miss it. I found that everyone who had attended had already begun to make friends and build community, and already knew the answers to the questions I was still bursting with. I think this hasn’t changed. BTFO, as full a week as it is, is a “must-do”. It’s a time to have questions answered (even the ones you didn’t think you had), make connections, and experience YDS and New Haven before the crush of the academic year begins. So… COME TO BTFO! It’s a lot, and maybe you don’t want to attend absolutely every session (except of course the ones featuring Lisa Huck), but there is so much to be gained by your being here with us for the week.


Q. What is your favorite part of New Haven in the summer?
A. Actually, I’ll take the liberty of broadening the question. As a nearly life-long CT resident, let me do my bit for the state by promoting summer across Connecticut: tubing on the Farmington River; beaching it at Hammonassett State Park; exploring Mystic Aquarium and Seaport; enjoying the Connecticut Wine Trail; Thursday night Jazz on the Green in Branford; Arts and Ideas and outdoor concerts in New Haven; Hot Air Balloon Festival in Plainville; picking blueberries, raspberries and peaches at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford; kayaking along our miles of shoreline, rivers, and streams; hiking our state parks, and lots more! (and yes, you may find me at any one of these!)


Q. What is your favorite spot in New Haven?
A. If you haven’t seen the view of New Haven on a clear day from the top of East Rock, you’re missing a treat! Take a blanket and a picnic lunch.


Q. What do you do when you're not Registrar-ing?
A. If you’ve visited my office you know my two favorite things: whales and hot air balloons. Unfortunately, seeing whales off the shores of CT is rare (but not impossible), but I do enjoy flying and driving chase for hot air balloons (year round). For more on either of these you will have to come by to introduce yourself and say hi!


Q. If you could spend one day as another person at YDS, who would it be?
A. One day as someone else at YDS… That’s a tough one as there are so many people here whose skills, abilities, or personalities I’d love to have for a day, but I think I’m going to have to go with Peter Hawkins. To get to live the life of that amazing teacher, brilliant scholar and profound preacher for even one day would be truly awesome. And he gets to read fiction and poetry for a living.


Q. And now for the most important questions - where do you go for pizza in New Haven, and what do you get? 
A. Team Modern. Without a doubt. Pepperoni, or anything with black olives.


Q. What's your favorite thing about Esther and Patrick?
A. Well, I guess my favorite thing about Patrick and Esther is their shameless ability to coerce compliments. [Yeah, we like that about ourselves, too.]