Gateway President Receives Trailblazer Award

G. Edward Hughes, president and chief executive officer of Gateway Community & Technical College, has received the Trailblazer Award from the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr. Hughes was recognized for his outstanding leadership in the community, including his efforts with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the United Way and many other organizations, said Adam Blanchard, Trailblazer Scouting district director. Dr. Hughes has worked to build communities and improve the lives of citizens in Northern Kentucky. These are the attributes that align with Scoutings effort to build the future leaders of these same communities.

Dr. Hughes received the award March 20 at Northern Kentucky Scoutings annual fund-raiser at Drees Pavilion. He also recently received the 2013 Founders Award from the Covington Business Council for his leadership in the expansion of Gateway's Urban Metro Campus.

Dr. Hughes has served as Gateway president/CEO since December 2001. Under Dr. Hughes leadership, Gateway has transformed into a comprehensive two-year college with emphasis on workforce development and training, transfer education and adult education and services. Enrollment since 2001 has increased more than 500% and is approaching 5,000 students. A life-long educator, Dr. Hughes has served as a teacher, program coordinator, and academic and student affairs administrator in community and technical colleges in Arkansas, Illinois, New York and Tennessee.

Dr. Hughes serves as chair of the Life Learning Center, is a board member of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, the STRIVE Partnership Executive Committee, the Metropolitan Club, and Tri-ED. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of the American Association of Community Colleges and has held leadership positions in numerous regional and national associations. He is married to Sarah Hughes, who is assistant center director for the Northern Kentucky Area Health Education Center. The Hughes have three grown daughters and two grandsons.