UW’s Carlee Hughes Selected for Prestigious Emerging Leaders Program

Carlee Hughes, director of business operations for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Wyoming, has been selected to participate in the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) 2025-26 Emerging Leaders Program.

Now in its fifth year, the Emerging Leaders Program equips participants with skills to enhance their leadership abilities, foster collaborative cross-campus relationships and build their professional networks. The program is designed for business officers who want to advance in higher education and focuses on leadership development, the evolving higher education business landscape and communication and interpersonal effectiveness.

“Carlee is most deserving of selection into this prestigious leadership program,” says Scott Turpen, dean of the UW College of Arts and Sciences. “She is a dedicated leader in the College of Arts and Sciences and is well respected on our campus. She is a thoughtful, detailed, creative, innovative and kind member of our team. Carlee will gain a great deal from this opportunity, and I look forward to learning what new ideas she will bring back to UW.”

Hughes is one of 78 participants selected from the largest applicant pool in the program’s history, representing 69 higher education institutions across 31 states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-eight colleges and universities -- including UW -- have an emerging leader participating for the first time.

“It is wonderful to see so many aspiring business leaders committing to our immersive professional development program -- and so many additional colleges and universities supporting their staff members’ growth with NACUBO,” says NACUBO President and CEO Kara Freeman. “We look forward to helping these emerging leaders grow in their leadership capabilities to take back to their institutions. The future of higher education is bright.”

Hughes began her role as director of business operations for the College of Arts and Sciences in 2024. Previously, she served as an assistant director of business operations, executive business manager and grant accountant within the College of Arts and Sciences.

In addition to her experience in academics, she relies on her UW education in business administration, as well as her experience in personnel and operations management to meet the day-to-day needs of the college.

Hughes enjoys her current role and says she is proud to be a UW alumna and member of the UW and Laramie communities.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. They spend most of their free time in the Wyoming mountains camping and hiking. 

About NACUBO

Founded in 1962, NACUBO is a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide. NACUBO works to advance the economic vitality, business practices and support of higher education institutions in pursuit of their missions. To learn more, visit https://nacubo.org.