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.
Jennifer Hudson Interim Assistant Dean | Lead Instructor for Competency-Based General Studies
- 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
What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?
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 did you become (your current role)? What earlier positions/jobs did you have that prepared you for this?
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
- 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
- Leadership
- High-impact education practices
- Design Your Life
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
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