Chief Diversity Officer
Erica Hughey has over 20 years of experience in social equity advocacy and strategic diversity leadership. After earning her B.A. in Sociology from her beloved HBCU, Virginia State University, she dedicated the early years of her career to being a social worker and counselor focused on serving and giving voice to vulnerable and marginalized populations to include foster children, single parents, unemployed/underemployed, inmates, homeless, domestic violence survivors, military veterans and spouses, sexual assault survivors, immigrants and the elderly. Over the past decade, she has continuously expanded her expertise both as an executive leader and practitioner after earning her MBA in Human Resource Management.
With her dynamic professional experience, incomparable lived experiences and invaluable tacit knowledge, this change agent has led corporate operational initiatives to improve policies, procedures and best practices working across various sectors in hospitals, colleges, private corporations, nonprofits, local, state, federal and international government agencies. The results of her management are evidenced in the development and application of strategies and tactics that cultivated diverse, equitable and inclusive work and learning environments. Also holding a Professional Certificate from Cornell University in Diversity and Inclusion, her visionary leadership has spearheaded initiatives resulting in collaborative initiatives and increased engagement and business innovation. As inaugural Chief Diversity Officer, she leads the BCOM Office of Diversity and Inclusion with the motto of Culture of Excellence where she provides the direction, framework and acumen necessary to inclusively leverage the power of diversity to impact the campus culture with institutional strategic planning analysis and implementation in addition to her service as Ombudsman.
She is the recipient of several volunteer community service awards to include 2022 Outstanding Ambassador of the Year for her advocacy and support of military families. Additionally, as an active member of the historic organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she continues to dedicate her free time and talents to empower and influence communities of color to build economic wealth, invest in education and promote social justice and healthcare. She has led the organization at the local level as an executive board member serving as Vice President, Parliamentarian and Public Relations Officer.
