President

Dr. Nerita Hughes of Minnetonka, MN, was selected unanimously by the Bay College Board of Trustees to become Bay College’s sixth president. She has served as the Interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Innovation and the Dean for the School of Business, Careers, Education and Workforce Innovation at North Hennepin Community College. Dr. Hughes has a variety of expertise which ranges from public and private sector to higher education, including experience as a part-time faculty instructor for the Human Resources Program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Business and Careers Programs for Minnesota State.
 
She holds a Bachelor of Science from National American University, a Masters of Business Administration, and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership, both from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
 
"I am extremely excited to join and lead a student-centric institution that has a continued commitment to equity and belonging,” said Hughes. “Bay College will be the "community's college" and having the opportunity to lead within a rural community offers what I like to call 'radical imagination' for our future."
 
Dr. Hughes was among four finalists to visit the Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses and be interviewed by the Board of Trustees, employees and community members.  She assumed the office on July 10, 2023.
 
Board Chair Joy Hopkins said, “The Board of Trustees and I were very impressed by the quality of the candidates who applied for the Bay College presidency. Dr. Nerita Hughes embodies the best qualities in education, workforce development and leadership, and I am delighted to have her lead Bay College. She is an intelligent, dynamic leader, and I believe she is the leader who will continue and expand Bay’s legacy as the community’s college into the future.”

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The First 100 Days

Read about Dr. Hughes’ First 100 Days as Bay College’s President. Over 500 constituents participated in the 100 Day Listening and Learning Tour which included college affiliates, partnering organizations, K-12 school administrators, university leaders, community government officials, legislators, business leaders, board members and more. The four themes that emerged will be used to inform Bay’s strategic planning process and as a springboard for progressive ideas and innovation fulfilling the mission of Student Success. Community Success. Culture of Success.

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Presidential Ceremony & Celebration

Watch the Inaugural Ceremony honoring Dr. Hughes held November 2, 2023.