February 10, 2021 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Andrenette Hudley grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but her parents’ South Carolina roots brought the family back to the state when Hudley was just 14. She completed high school in Cheraw and then attended South Carolina State University to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Hudley went to work for her alma mater as the family life program coordinator for the university’s 1890 Research & Extension Program. She then led several non-profit organizations as executive director and held the state executive director/CEO position for Communities in Schools of South Carolina.
Hudley moved to Columbia after accepting a position as director of program services for one of the largest HIV/AIDS organizations in the state. It was during that time that she first worked with UofSC.
“I was recruited to work as a field supervisor on a research project in the College of Nursing,” Hudley says. “My experience working on that project was so rewarding that I knew that I wanted to work for UofSC in a more permanent capacity. I have always loved working in a university setting.”
Over the past several years, Hudley has held several roles across the university, including field supervisor for the Rural Women’s Health Project in the College of Nursing and program coordinator for the UofSC Women’s Well-Being Initiative. While holding the position of operation manager/course scheduling coordinator for the Office of Distributed Learning, Hudley became interested in the courses offered by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD).
“When the opening for the position of Administrative Coordinator came available, I knew that was my chance to work for the department,” says Hudley, who already had extensive experience in coordinating and managing the overall day-to-day administrative and business operations, programs, grants, etc.
Hudley has put those skills to work over the past two-and-a-half years – managing, monitoring and maintaining the accounting of the COMD budgets. She also serves as the department’s business/human resources contact and the purchasing card/supplier liaison.
Her daily activities include preparing paperwork related to expenditures and reimbursements, engaging in various procurement activities, and managing the department’s confidential documentation (e.g., employee records). Hudley’s favorite part of her job is the opportunity to collaborate with various people in departments across campus. She was thrilled when the COMD department officially returned to campus in 2019, moving into the renovated Close-Hipp building where Hudley has an office with a view.
“I have observed Ms. Hudley’s outstanding organizational ability and her willingness to learn new skills whenever she has the opportunity,” says COMD chair Jean Neils-Strunjas. “It is my impression that she will go far, and I am highly supportive of her achieving her dreams.”
Despite her many responsibilities, Hudley has managed to continue her professional development and education throughout her career. In addition to being a Certified Master Trainer, she has completed the UofSC’s Business Manager and Lead Supervisory Essential certificates and is a graduate of the United Way BluePrint for Leadership and Francis Marion University Non-Profit Leadership programs.
Outside of her official role with the COMD department, Hudley is a member of the Advocacy and Policy Subcommittee of the Provost Advisory Committee for Women’s Initiative. She previously served as a United Way Ambassador for UofSC and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Most recently, Hudley was selected to serve as secretary for the Staff Senate.
“UofSC Staff Senate serves as a critical voice for Columbia-campus staff members,” Hudley says. “We serve in an advisory capacity to the President, and we accept and share responsibility with the administration, faculty and students for attaining the stated goals of the university and to foster a spirit of community.”
The Staff Spotlight Series is sponsored by the Arnold School's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.