G. Edward Hughes became the founding president and chief executive officer of Gateway Community and Technical College on December 1, 2001.
Prior to coming to Gateway, Dr. Hughes served as president of Hazard Community College for more than sixteen years assuming that position in 1985. He is currently the senior public college or university president in Kentucky. A life-long educator, Dr. Hughes has served as a teacher, program coordinator, academic and student affairs administrator in community and technical colleges in Arkansas, Illinois and Tennessee. Prior to coming to Kentucky he served as dean of academic and student affairs at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Under Dr. Hughes’ leadership, Gateway Community and Technical College is transforming into a comprehensive two-year college with emphasis on workforce development and training, transfer education and adult education and services. The college has seen dramatic growth and was the 7th fastest growing two-year college in its category in the US in 2005-06. Gateway opened its fourth campus in Boone County in 2005. Major building expansion is now underway at its Edgewood Campus and expansion is planned for the Boone Campus in 2009. The college has developed over 100 new programs, degrees, diplomas and certificates during Dr. Hughes tenure. The college is seen as a major factor in meeting the regional Vision 2015 proposal to create 50,000 new jobs in the next decade. A major gifts campaign is underway at Gateway, the first in its history.
Dr. Hughes became one of the youngest college presidents when he assumed the presidency of Hazard Community College in 1985. His 16-year leadership at Hazard Community College (HCC) is viewed as transformational and included regional, state and national recognition for programs and services
Dr. Hughes has provided national leadership in the community college field. He was of the original four college presidents who helped establish the Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI), a ten-year national program of The Ford Foundation in the 1990. Currently Dr. Hughes is a member of the Board of Directors for the Institute for Community College Development at Cornel University. He has served as the Chairman of the Presidents Academy of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and was a member of the AACC International Education Commission. He previously served as president of the Southern Association of Community, Junior and Technical Colleges and the Community Colleges of Appalachia.
Dr. Hughes’ civic leadership includes serving as Chairman of the Urban Learning Center, the Life Learning Center, and the Board of Governors for the Metropolitan Club. He is a member of the following Boards: Regional Stewardship Council for Vision 2015, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, North Central Area Health Education Center, Northern Kentucky Council of Partners and Gateway Community and Technical College Foundation. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky in Hazard. He is the Past Chair for the Northern Kentucky United Way Campaign 2003.
Dr. Hughes is the son of the late Edward A. and Oneda M. Hughes of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, both of whom were teachers. His sister, Bonita May, resides in Gettysburg. He is married to Sarah E. (Miles) Hughes who is Coordinator of Special Events and Public Relations for the Northern Kentucky Area Health Education Center. The Hughes have three daughters; Dr. Laurie Bay, an emergency medicine physician in Memphis, TN; Jennifer L. Hughston, an attorney with Thompson Hine in Cincinnati; and Lauren E. Hughes, a second grade teacher in Covington, KY
He received his bachelor of arts in psychology from Catawba College, Salisbury, N.C. in 1972; his master of arts in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University in 1973; and his Ph.D. in higher education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1977. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Catawba College, 2001 in recognition of his contributions to education and was named a Distinguished Alumni of the college in 2006. He is a past member of the Board of Visitors at Catawba College (NC).
January 2008