After four months without an executive administrator in U of L’s Human Resources department, the university recently named Jeanell Hughes the new interim Executive Director of Human Resources. Harlan Sands, U of L senior vice president, sent out the email announcement to faculty and staff on Wednesday.
Hughes’ interim appointment follows the Board of Trustees’ decision to fire Sam Connally, the vice president of HR, in December.
Hughes has previous experience in HR management from Indiana University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the South Carolina Technical College System. Before entering higher education, Hughes spent 19 years in the private sector in Quality Management and Research and Development at Pillsbury Company and General Mills.
When her position becomes effective on April 1, Hughes and U of L senior administrators will establish HR service priorities across the university.
In the email, Sands noted that U of L will continue the search for a permanent Chief of Human Resources Officer.
According to spokesperson Mark Hebert, it is currently uncertain whether Hughes will be considered for the permanent Chief of Human Resources Officer position.
