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Erica Hughes joins Southwest as AVP of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness

By Marketing and Communications Staff

Erica HughesErica Hughes is an accomplished professional in the field of higher education, currently holding the position of associate vice president of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness at Southwest Tennessee Community College since June 26, 2023. In this role, she leads diverse responsibilities, including overseeing institutional research, institutional effectiveness, strategic and operational planning, as well as accreditation.

With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, including grant and scholarship management, academics, and institutional research and effectiveness, Hughes has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Her career has spanned across various educational entities at the state and system level.

Before joining Southwest, Hughes held the position of director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation at South Louisiana Community College (SLCC). During her tenure at SLCC, she played a crucial role as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Liaison. Notably, SLCC was recently recognized as one of the first institutions to be approved for a Prison Education Program (PEP) Designation by SACSCOC, in which Hughes was instrumental in achieving this milestone. She also received recognition from the National Student Clearinghouse for her innovative use of Postsecondary Data Partnership (NSC-PDP) dashboards, which uncovered opportunities to enhance student outcomes. She also contributes to her community by educating others as an Association of Institutional Research (AIR) NSC-PDP Educator.

Hughes’ educational background includes bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern University and A&M College. In addition to her academic pursuits, Hughes has made substantial contributions to various professional associations. She previously served as the vice president of the Louisiana Association of Institutional Research (LAIR) and held a position as a board member of the Louisiana Assessment Group (LAAG). Currently, she assumes the role of treasurer for the Southern Association of Institutional Research. Throughout her career, Hughes has delivered numerous presentations at state, regional, and national conferences, showcasing her commitment to aligning data with high-impact strategies for continuous improvement.

Welcome to Southwest, Erica!