Dr. Nerita Hughes currently serves as the President of Bay de Noc Community College, a role she has held since July 2023. She brings extensive experience in academic leadership, workforce innovation, and organizational development across higher education and the public sector. Prior to Bay College, she served in senior leadership roles at North Hennepin Community College in Minnesota, including Interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs & Workforce Innovation and Dean of the School of Business, Careers, Education & Workforce Innovation. Her public-sector leadership includes serving as Organizational Effectiveness & Development Manager and Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Manager for Ramsey County, MN.
Dr. Hughes holds a Bachelor of Science from National American University and both a Masters of Business Administration and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She is an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator and has deep expertise in strengths-based leadership, cultural competency, racial equity, and talent development. She has advised numerous public and private organizations on embedding equitable and inclusive practices within systems and teams.
Dr. Hughes serves on multiple national and regional boards, including the Michigan Community College Association Executive Committee, the Council to Advance Two Year Colleges Executive Committee, the National Alliance of Community & Technical Colleges, the AACC Commission on Structured Pathways, and several regional economic development organizations. She is also Treasurer of the President’s Roundtable and a faculty member for the Thomas A. Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership.
Her recognitions include being a James P. Shannon Leadership Institute Fellow, Lakin Fellow, Young American Leaders Program (YALP) participant, AACC Future Presidents Institute Fellow, and a 2024–25 Aspen Presidential Fellow.