Ideas excite me, so having the opportunity to work with you to develop your big plans or ideas never gets old. I love taking ideas and making them actionable.
Profile for
Jennifer Hudson
-
Alum
-
Faculty
Assistant Dean | Lead Instructor for Competency-Based General Studies
College of Innovation and Design
- Alum
- Faculty
Picture this: It’s 2005, and Jennifer Hudson is a lost first-gen student who just visited a bunch of huge universities where she felt like a tiny fish in an ocean. Then Jennifer stepped onto A&M-Commerce (now East Texas A&M), and everything clicked. Why? Because someone actually took the time to see her as a person, not just another ID number.
That experience changed everything for Jennifer. Now she’s on a mission to be that person for our students and everyone else she meets.
A Conversation with Jennifer Hudson
We sat down with Jennifer to hear her thoughts directly and gather her best advice for students like you.
Why Attend ETAMU?
East Texas A&M has a lot to offer. You get all the benefits and opportunities of a Division I university experience with the small campus feel that comes with being known in your department and connecting easily with others. It’s a supportive environment and I hope students feel that at all levels. When you’re feeling lost or uncertain, there is a whole campus of people who strive to be the people who help you find your place—just as someone once did for them.
How I Got Here
For over 15 years in higher education, my absolute favorite role was being a university Success Coach. Think of it as being the ultimate problem-solver and connection-maker. Serving as a “hub” for incoming students, we helped everyone get started at A&M-Commerce. We navigated questions around courses, majors, academic standing, financial aid, residence life, campus involvement, and difficult conversations with roommates or instructors. Really, we heard and saw it all. In that job, I worked with an amazing team and learned so much about how the university works at many levels. So much of what I learned provides me with important context for all the work I do today and helps me be a resource not only to students but to other faculty and staff, too.
Educational Background
My educational background is a core part of my professional identity. You can see how my academic journey has prepared me for this role.
- Ed.D., Higher Education and Learning Technology, East Texas A&M University, In Progress
- M.S., History, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2009
- B.S., History, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2007
Research Interests
You can explore the primary themes and topics that shape my academic research.
- Leadership
- High-impact education practices
- Design Your Life
Honors and Awards
You can see my professional achievements recognized through these honors and awards.
- Most Valuable Lion Award, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University) Staff Council, 2021
- Phi Kappa Phi History, since 2018
- Hats Off to Women Award, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2018
- Unsung Hero Award, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University) Office of International Programs, 2017
Related News
ETAMU’s Adult Learners Benefit from Professors’ Real-World Experiences
Several ETAMU faculty members in CID use their distinctive personal and professional competencies to help shape their programs into standout academic experiences.