As appearing in the Alumni Association website

Sociology alumna Blanche Hughes (M.Ed., Education, ’84; Ph.D., Sociology, ’95) has been awarded CSU’s 2015 Distinguished Alumni Employee Award.

Helping others find their unique potential has driven Dr. Blanche Hughes throughout her career. Whether through teaching, mentoring students and staff, or speaking on issues ranging from diversity to family management, Hughes’ passion for improving lives and communities makes her one of Colorado State University’s most impactful leaders.

Hughes is in her ninth year as vice president for CSU’s Division of Student Affairs, which includes 21 departments that collaborate with the University community to help students and staff succeed. It’s one of the largest divisions on campus to administer, but Hughes always finds time to support and encourage colleagues and contribute to the campus culture. She also teaches and advises in the Student Affairs in Higher Education Graduate Program and teaches a seminar for first year students in the Key Academic Residential Community.

Before becoming vice president, Hughes spent six years as associate vice president for Student Affairs, 11 years as the director of Black Student Services (now the Black/African American Cultural Center) at Colorado State, and two years as a professor of the sociology department at Pikes Peak Community College, where she was chair of the department for one year.

Hughes earned a Master of Education degree in student affairs and a Ph.D. in sociology from CSU and received her Bachelor’s degree from Earlham College. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the NASPA James J. Rhatigan Outstanding Dean Award in 2012, and she was selected as one of Northern Colorado’s Super Women for 2015 by the Fort Collins Coloradoan. She is married to Wayne and has four children (two graduated from CSU) and four granddaughters.

To learn more about CSU’s Distinguished Alumni Awards visit the website.