By Elizabeth Byers

The PACADA Communications Committee would like to thank Ms. Dorothy Hughes for her 16 years of dedicated service to Purdue students and the Purdue community.  She earned her M.S.Ed. in Counseling and Development from Purdue-Calumet in 1997. She came to Purdue’s main campus to start a PhD. in 1998. After two years in the Counseling Psychology Program, it became clear that her skills were clinical in nature, not research oriented.  Once she left the program, Ms. Hughes began working at two part-time positions: one as a half time Span Plan counselor in the Office of the Dean of Students, and one as a psychotherapist at a local mental health center.  Eventually, she became the full time director of Span Plan Adult Student Services and an Assistant Dean of Students.  Currently Ms. Hughes is working in University Residences mediating roommate conflict, training resident assistants and assisting the residential life director in developing a new leadership program.

Dorothy is a long time member of PACADA and served as the chair of the Professional Development Committee. She also chaired the professional development committee for the Office of the Dean of Students for many years. She served on several campus wide committees including as a Wellness Ambassador, APSAC Representative and Family Friendly Purdue. During her tenure at Span Plan she advised two adult student organizations: Alpha Sigma Lambda and the Purdue Adult Student Network.

Ms. Hughes’ goals include teaching students lifelong skills they can use with any kind of conflict throughout their lifespans.  Additionally, she hopes that the work she is doing to develop the leadership program will be a strong foundation for ongoing leadership development for residential life students.  Ms. Hughes is looking forward to retiring in June 2016!  Join us as we thank Ms. Hughes for her hard work and dedication towards student success at Purdue University.