Monica Hughes is an enthusiastic and passionate educator with a natural ability to mentor and inspire young adults. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for High School Outreach & Engagement at the Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. In this role, Monica builds meaningful relationships with high school students, staff, and community partners to create and support pathways to Tippie. Her efforts include traveling throughout Iowa and surrounding areas to promote the Tippie and support students facing academic barriers. Monica has a strong background in supporting students who face academic and socioeconomic challenges. Prior to her current role, she worked as an Education Specialist at Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (iJAG), where she was responsible for ensuring that at-risk students graduated and successfully transitioned into post-secondary education, the workforce, or the military. She also taught employability, communication, and life skills using the Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach. Earlier in her career, she served as a Financial Aid Specialist at Scott Community College, where she presented financial aid information to various groups, managed financial aid files, and resolved data discrepancies. Monica holds a Master of Education from DePaul University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at the same institution. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College in Rock Island. Her dedication to mentoring is evident in her commitment to providing individualized guidance and support to help students overcome academic and socioeconomic difficulties. She believes in the power of mentorship to transform lives and is passionate about helping students achieve their full potential.