March 17, 2026
By Tracie Troha

In celebration of Women's History Month, we’re highlighting Courtney Hughes, development assistant senior for the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. In her role, Hughes helps strengthen connections between alumni, donors, and the Woodruff School’s students and faculty through fundraising and engagement initiatives. In this Q&A, she shares her path into educational development, the women who inspire her, and the impact she hopes to make through her work.
 

Introduce yourself! Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and later moved to Georgia for college. I attended Berry College, where I earned a degree in political science with a minor in legal studies. While there, I interned with a national nonprofit — an experience that showed me how meaningful it can be to support educational initiatives and contribute to work that serves a larger mission. After graduating, I remained with the organization and helped expand access to educational programming in rural and Indigenous communities. Eventually, I became interested in fundraising and stewardship, which led me to the Office of Development at Georgia Tech.
 

What is your current role at Georgia Tech?

I am the development assistant senior for the Woodruff School. I support our fundraising and donor engagement efforts through event planning, stewardship initiatives, and collaboration with colleagues across campus. I love that my work allows me to support students and faculty while also connecting with our broader alumni community. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is meeting alumni and hearing stories about what their time at Georgia Tech meant to them and what inspires them to give back, whether through philanthropy or their time. 
 

Who are some women of history and present day who inspire you?

My mother is my greatest source of inspiration. She has been an educator for over 20 years and has always been a steady source of encouragement, honest feedback, and unconditional support. She taught me the importance of hard work, striving for excellence, and showing up fully for the people and communities you care about. 

I’m also inspired by Dolly Parton and even wrote one of my college theses on her philanthropic impact in her community. She has dedicated herself to initiatives like the Imagination Library and to creating lasting tourism and job opportunities in her hometown through Dollywood. Despite her humble beginnings and highly successful career, she has remained grounded and deeply committed to giving back. 
 

How do you hope to impact your field or community through your work?

I hope to impact my community by fostering connections between our alumni, donors, and the future engineers they support. I aim to create a sense of investment in the School’s mission and create opportunities that allow our students and faculty to explore, research, and create. The work being done at the Woodruff School will make a meaningful impact on the world, and I’m grateful to play a small role in supporting that progress.
 

How do you stay motivated to continue to grow professionally and personally? 

I try to approach everything I do with intention and a desire to keep learning. I’m motivated by the people who have invested their time and support in me — family, friends, mentors, and colleagues — and I want to honor their investment by continuing to grow and show up as my best self, both professionally and personally.