Phil Hughes Transitions Role in Michigan Athletics
4/23/2019 9:30:00 AM | General, Academic Success Program
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Phil Hughes, who has led the Academic Success Program for the past 10 years, will transition to a new role in the department as special advisor for Academic Projects in an announcement made Tuesday (April 23).
Hughes has positively impacted the experiences of thousands of University of Michigan student-athletes during his tenures in Ann Arbor, first from 1991-1998 and then from 2009-present. He has overseen the incredible development of the student-athlete academic support program to what we know today as the renowned Academic Success Program.
"Phil has built a program here at Michigan that provides exceptional support for the academic and developmental needs of our student-athletes, while maintaining a high level of integrity," said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. "In recognizing Phil's exceptional work on behalf of Michigan student-athletes, we are pleased that he will remain with the department in a new capacity."
Michigan Athletics has routinely posted Academic Progress Rates (APR) that are among the highest in the country and, over the past 10 years, U-M student-athletes have earned 39 Academic All-America citations. In 2009-10, Phil's first year back on campus, U-M had 166 student-athletes named to Academic All-Big Ten teams. In the latest ASP report, from 2017-18, Michigan boasted a record 358 such awards.
Hughes' new advisory role will continue to benefit U-M students with his extensive experience in academic administration and understanding of university processes while addressing a variety of academic challenges confronting the athletics department. One specific study to be addressed will consider how the process of neuropsychological testing for student-athletes can be more efficient and effective.
A national search for a new director of the Academic Success Program will begin immediately. On an interim basis, executive associate athletic director for Student Development and Compliance Elizabeth Heinrich will oversee the Academic Success team.
