Trish Hughes One-on-One Interview with Collette Vladimery
Patricia Hughes has worked in college athletics as both a coach and an administrator for over 20 years and was named as Director of Athletics at Salem College on September 1, 2017.
Hughes gained national recognition for Salem in 2020 when the athletic department received the NADIIIAA Community Service One Time Project / Activity Award from NACDA on Jan. 15. NACDA, which is the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, recognized Salem for its commitment to Day of Service activities which took place in the Winston-Salem community in 2019. The Day of Service, which took place on Jan. 18, 2019, included all first-year students, student-athletes and entire department of athletic staff from Salem College. Those individuals participated in the schools' first community Day of Service by volunteering at local non-profit organizations and schools.
The multiple venues that members of the campus community volunteered at were Happy Hill Cemetery, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, City of Lights Ministry, Winston-Salem Rescue Mission Thrift Store, Senior Services, Springwell, SECU Family House, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sunnyside Ministry, Diggs-Latham Elementary School, Forsyth Educator Partnership Warehouse, Brunson Elementary School, Downtown Elementary School and Habitat Restore.
In 2020, Salem is expanded the Day of Service to be accessible to all members of the student body, including student athletes, and faculty / staff throughout campus.
Hughes wrapped up the 2020 NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Week by providing the following statements:
Why was this social media campaign so important this week for Diversity and Inclusion in Salem College athletics?
Hughes: This was a great opportunity for us to highlight the important work that needs to be done in support of our students and staff, and an opportunity for us to collaborate with our SAAC to promote a more inclusive environment for the entire Salem athletic community.
What do diversity and inclusion mean to you?
Hughes: Diversity and inclusion to me is being with other people where we are respectful and appreciative of all our differences. As a leader it is my responsibility to create a safe space that nurtures and embraces all of our differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community it is important that I live my truth and my family and I have been so lucky and feel very supported by the Salem community. It is important that our students know we are here to support them too.
What plans do you have or want to implement for diversity and inclusion when we are in person again?
Hughes: We have listened intently to feedback and working closely with campus leaders and begun the important work of supporting our students and staff and identifying areas for improvement. We take this responsibility seriously. In addition to working with Dr. Shayla Herndon-Edmunds we have recently added our newly appointed Athletic Diversity and inclusion Designee - Dr. Robin Campbell.
Campbell is our primary point of contact to receive and distribute information around diversity and inclusion topics
Campbell will be the point of communication between the NCAA and athletics department, USA South and our campus
Campbell will share information around inclusive programs, diversity issues and other related equity initiatives
Other future plans include:
Cultivating a greater sense of togetherness as a united athletic department, including increased interaction between sport programs and other campus clubs and student groups
Create spaces for more difficult conversations within sports programs and other departments to bring more awareness to each other's concerns and experiences;
Engage the athletic department staff and student-athletes in social justice initiatives
In closing, I am so proud of our students, our SAAC student leaders and our staff for the work they have begun and will continue to do together.