Alan Hughes

Dr. Alan Hughes serves as the Associate Provost and is Professor of Psychology at Berry College.

A native of Mt. Sterling, KY, he received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Berea College, a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Western Kentucky University, and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Louisville. Since earning his doctorate, Dr. Hughes has been tenured and promoted at two residential liberal arts colleges, both regarded for their focus on undergraduate education, their commitment to graduate education in select professional programs, and their community outreach and dedication to civic betterment. Over the last 27 years, his scholarly activity included conducting and publishing research related to visual neuroscience, collaborating with students on numerous research projects, and doing research as it relates to the scholarship of teaching.

As the Associate Provost, Dr. Hughes provides strategic and administrative leadership across key academic and institutional functions within the Provost’s Office. In this role, he leads regional accreditation efforts for SACSCOC, and currently serves as Berry’s Institutional Accreditation Liaison, a position that connects him with institutional officers to ensure that compliance with accreditation requirements is incorporated into the planning and evaluation process of the institution. Other administrative responsibilities include coordinating curriculum development and review processes in partnership with academic governance bodies and overseeing research and sponsored programs to advance the institution’s scholarly mission. Dr. Hughes supports faculty success and professional growth by supervising the Center for Teaching Excellence and Faculty Development and by advancing institutional priorities in instructional design, accessibility, and advising strategies. Dr. Hughes also oversees major experiential learning initiatives—including study away, honors programs, and undergraduate research—ensuring their alignment with institutional priorities such as The Berry Journey. Through this work, he fosters strong collaborations across academic and co-curricular partners to enhance student learning, engagement, and personal development.

Prior to serving as Associate Provost, Dr. Hughes served six years (2020-2026) as the Dean of the Charter School of Education and Human Sciences (CSEHS) and four years as the chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences (2016-2020)