Randy Hughes serves as TAMUK Chief of Staff Texas A&M University-Kingsville is the best place for students to earn a college degree, and Randy Hughes is proud to be a part of the system. He is proud of TAMUK because he believes this higher institution of learning makes a difference in students’ lives.

Hughes, TAMUK Chief of Staff, believes South Texas students receive meaningful opportunities to succeed academically because they enroll at many levels.

“We add values to their knowledge,” Hughes said.

Hughes, who has been at TAMUK for 28 years, enthusiastically emphasizes that education is all about the students.

“We make a difference in students’ lives by giving them an opportunity to get a college degree,” he said.

TAMUK supports faculty to teach so students can learn, according to Hughes.

One of the advantages that TAMUK students have is the fact that most of the classes are small and are conducted on a personal level, he said. Classes in big universities are usually so large that students are only a number. Students often have the opportunity to contact their instructors or professors at TAMUK.

“Many students are first generation college graduates, and you should see how proud all of their family members are during graduation,” Hughes said.

He is excited about the new growth of student enrollment. TAMUK can now house 2,000 students because of the addtional new dormitories facilities.

“We have 250 new students because of the new dorm,” Hughes said. The new dorm has 325 completed rooms and 200 more to go; this changes the feel of the campus,” Hughes said.

People who have known Hughes throughout the years describe him as “basically a really nice guy.” He has been instrumental in assisting with the academic success of the university. This summer Dr. Steven Tallant, TAMUK president, appointed Hughes as chief of staff.

“The university is truly blessed to have Randy Hughes. He is an extremely hard worker who cares deeply about the University and the education of our students. As the president, I could never find a better chief of staff.

As such, I feel fortunate and lucky to have him on my leadership team as we continue to make Texas A&M-Kingsville the premier institution of higher learning in South Texas,” Tallant said.

His new role is to assist Tallant with his initiatives and maintain contact with system officials. Hughes will also be involved with projects, audits, and legislative assistance. TAMUK officials are pleased with the enrollment increases, new construction and new dorm facilities.

“We have good initiatives going on, and the president is a man of action, and I am happy to be a part of that,” Hughes said.

“We deal with everything from students and faculty to staff members,” he said.

He and Tallant will also continue to work with the Kingsville and Kleberg County communities.

His new TAMUK post is similar to the previous one he had with Marc Cisneros, a former TAMUK president. Hughes served as assistant to the president.

Before he became a college administrator, Hughes spent a total of 25 years as a classroom teacher. He taught government at San Diego High School for nine years.

Hughes was hired by Dr. Stewart Cooper to operate the Texas A&I intramural program in 1982 and was also a kinesiology instructor. He became an assistant professor in the Health and Kinesiology Department in 1988 and chairman of that department in 1988 when be became special assistant to Cisneros.

In 2002 he became Vice President of Institutional of Advancement where he was in charge of the athletics, publications, public relations and Alumni Affairs departments.

He served in this role until he was appointed chief of staff.

His introduction to his campus occurred in 1970 when he visited Kingsville, and the beautiful campus that reminded him of a Spanish hacienda enticed him to enroll here.

Although, he lived three blocks from Angelo State University, he realized that this would be his college of choice. Hughes graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1970. His father was a newspaperman writing for the “San Angelo Standard Times” and his mother worked as a Sears Roebuck manager.

He soon realized he had made the right choice because he also met his wife, Belinda, at the Bishop Hall-Turner Hall cafeteria. Married 37 years, the couple has two grown children and two grandchildren. His wife has a bachelor’s degree in business and is also employed at TAMUK. The couple lives in Kingsville. Hughes and his wife are members of St. Gertrude Church.

Hughes received a B.S. in physical education and political science in 1974 and a master’s degree in educational administration in 1982.

Throughout the years, Hughes has remained a strong proponent of TAMUK’s programs, students, and faculty.

“This is a special place,” Hughes emphasized.

“I’ve been here 28 years and it’s been a great ride,” he said. And, of course, he plans to stay on that ride for the rest of that career.