Employee Spotlight: Rodney Hughes

Rachel Gerner

Rodney Hughes, foreman, has been keeping the campus powered for more than 40 years.

In the heart of the U of A campus, where academic pursuits converge with practical necessities, Rodney Hughes steadfastly leads an electric crew that keeps the lights on and the systems humming. With an impressive 42-year tenure at the institution, Hughes has evolved from a young helper to the foreman of the electric shop.

Hughes began on his career at the university shortly after graduating from high school in 1981. Starting as a custodial supplies stocker, he soon found his way to the electric crew, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for the field. Over four decades, his dedication to improving his skills helped promote him into his current role supervising seven electricians, a generator technician, an alarm technician and two new apprentices. One of the apprentices will soon complete her four-year term and apply to take the journeyman exam.

The team's responsibilities are impressive, encompassing the repair of 1,800 light poles, over 100 emergency generators and about 500 security and fire alarm systems across the sprawling campus. A commitment to safety underpins every task. Every week, Hughes and his team gather to discuss job safety measures and ensure that their work practices are up to par.

It's not just the numbers that define Hughes and his crew. The university's Flexible Work Arrangement policy has allowed several of the team members to adopt unconventional schedules, with four 10-hour workdays. Partnered in teams of two, they traverse the campus in their trucks, doing work that spans from installing Wi-Fi access points to ensuring fire alarms are operational.

Outside of his professional role, Hughes is a person of influence in his community. He teaches second-year apprentice classes in the evenings, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of electricians. His commitment to service extends to his long-standing involvement as a Boy Scouts of America troop leader, a role he has held for nearly 50 years. He played a pivotal part in the preservation of Brentwood Park, collaborating on securing state grants to construct a pavilion, playground and walking trails following the construction of Interstate 49.

Reflecting on his journey, Hughes shares his satisfaction with his chosen path. He briefly left the university in his early years, only to return despite a pay cut. The decision, he asserts, was based on a deep connection to the campus, the benefits it provides and the opportunity to witness his daughters earn their degrees with assistance from the employee tuition benefit. In his words, "It's always fun to help improve campus for the students to benefit from it."

Hughes paints a vibrant picture of the campus — a place where individuals work together to make a tangible impact. "The people on campus are amazing; everyone seems to get along well, and working with the men and women on my team is a ton of fun."

As the leader of his electric crew and through his journey from a novice helper up to today, Hughes' career is a testimony to the significance of craftsmanship, dedication and community involvement within higher education. He and his team showcase the expertise that drives the campus's vital electrical operations.

About the Employee Spotlight Series: The employee spotlight series highlights U of A faculty and staff members, the impact they have on campus and the community more broadly, and what makes the university an employer of choice for them individually. Each U of A employee plays a critical role in advancing the 150 Forward strategic priorities: advancing student success, achieving research excellence and enhancing the university's status as an employer of choice. If you have a recommendation of an employee to interview, contact Rachel Gerner at rgerner@uark.edu.