Jamal Hughes' Vision for Vermont State University - Randolph
"Jamal has been a pivotal figure in aligning our athletics program with the university's strategic mission and vision. His initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering community engagement and academic excellence.” --Kathleen Mason, VTSU-Randolph’s Coordinator of Disability Services.
As Vermont State University (VTSU) Randolph continues to evolve, one figure stands at the forefront, guiding its athletic department toward a bright future one game at a time: Jamal Hughes. Getting to know Jamal in an interview was not only fun but also eye-opening. We shared a lot of laughs, and I learned a ton about the university and his clear, authentic vision for its future. His journey from student to athletic director is nothing short of inspiring, showcasing his strong commitment to the institution and our community.
Under his guidance, the athletics program has seen a significant uptick in enrollment - an increased number of athletes - and community engagement. "That is my job: to increase enrollment in athletics and make this thing profitable," Jamal stated, reflecting on the positive changes he has overseen. His leadership also extends beyond the basketball court. He has been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity and pride within the university and the town. "Our Town, Our Team” is Jamal’s new campaign to unite the Town with the University. He says, “[it] isn’t just a slogan; it's a way of life. It's the blue-collar mentality that defines Randolph and its surrounding towns," he explained. This philosophy underpins his efforts to create a lasting bond between the university and the local community.
The campaign focuses on building brand awareness, generating modest revenue, and embracing its new identity as VTSU-Randolph. Through partnerships with local organizations, Jamal is co-branding merchandise, developing exclusive offers for students, alumni, and faculty, and participating in more Randolph events.
The campaign's success depends on increasing attendance at home games to build school spirit and engage the community. To raise the school's profile, themed games like “Randolph Appreciation Night” and “Youth Sports Night” with pre-game activities and an improved concession stand are also planned. The ultimate goal is to make VTSU-Randolph more recognizable to potential students, their families, and high school guidance counselors. The university supports his project but has not given funding for it. Hopefully, they will reconsider!
Community, culture, and legacy
Morgan Easton, once a fellow student at the University, previously known as VTC, and now working for the Town of Randolph’s Recreation Department, shared her admiration for Jamal's influence, adding, “As a fellow VTSU Randolph Graduate (2018), it’s been a pleasure to see a fellow Knight return to Randolph and have such a tremendous impact on the campus we both love so much.” She recalled fond memories, mentioning, “I remember going to watch Jamal and his teammates after a long study session in the Harness Library. It's been great to see him return and hit the ground running up there in his new role as Athletic Director.”
Morgan emphasized the importance of organized sports in rural areas, explaining, “Organized sports at all ages are critical to fostering a pride of place and community. Basketball, in particular, lends itself to drawing folks together during what can be a very dark and lonely season for some. We are so fortunate to have opportunities that create this in Randolph at all ages, including at the collegiate level.” Jamal’s plan for events like Youth Sports Night will help to highlight basketball for all ages.
She continued, “VTSU is an incredible educational opportunity that often gets overlooked by locals. For local kids to see that the institution not only offers high-quality training that is critical to our state’s physical and workforce infrastructure but also has opportunities to play sports at a collegiate level is impactful beyond measure.”
Reflecting on the importance of the Randolph campus to the town, Morgan stated, “I think anyone that saw the outpouring of support during the proposed campus closures and cuts in 2020 knows the answer - it would be devastating to Randolph as well as the State if anything were to happen to the physical campus in Randolph Center, as well as the State College system at large. If folks knew how many State College Graduates they deal with on a daily basis, they would be astounded that these institutions don’t get more credit and support.”
Bridge between athletics and academics and the business community
Kathleen Mason, VTSU-Randolph’s Coordinator of Disability Services, also commended Jamal's efforts: "Jamal has been a pivotal figure in aligning our athletics program with the university's strategic mission and vision. His initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering community engagement and academic excellence.” She continued, “He’s a huge advocate for student support success. He meets with faculty and our department formally and informally regularly, creating a bridge between athletics and academics. He’s an authentic communicator.”
The impact of Jamal's leadership is not just limited to sports. He actively engages with local businesses and organizations to create mutually beneficial partnerships. "I met with Justin, who's the CEO at LED Dynamics. We sat down, and we got this done together,” reflecting on a successful collaboration for a new score desk complete with lights and University logos.
Jamal, who currently lives about an hour away, is also considering moving his family back to Randolph to be closer to his work and the community. "We actively are trying to move back here. My wife isn’t going to take too much more of this commute," he shared. He recognizes the potential of Randolph and wants to be part of its growth. "I have to see this mission through. This place has so much potential," he stated.
Feeling more like home
To introduce his predominantly black basketball team into the local culture and community, Jamal and his athletes volunteer at local events like the Tunbridge Fair and Randolph’s busy Halloween festivities and seek other ways to engage with people beyond campus. Recently they went to the East Randolph Baptist Church. "We went to church, and it felt good. They welcomed us with open arms," he recounted. He also found the pastor’s service spoke to him strongly. "The message was about Christians needing to stop judging other people. It was a powerful message," he noted.
Marty Bascom, Pastor at the East Randolph Baptist Church, shared his thoughts with me, stating, "Jamal's presence and his team’s involvement have brought a fresh wave of energy and inclusivity to our community. His efforts are truly commendable." I couldn’t agree more! Each time Jamal and his team are out building these relationships, they send a clear message that VTSU is here to help and students are eager to engage with us in various ways.
Strong institutions, strong community
When I think about Jamal’s slogan Our Town, Our Team and the importance of VTSU and Randolph to each other, I can confidently say that Randolph has strong prospects for sustainable growth and development. Several large-scale projects are set to be completed by 2026, promising to enhance various aspects of our town, including quality of life. However, it is our collective responsibility as a community to ensure we take the necessary steps to become a fair and equitable place for all. Leaders like Jamal play an important role in this journey. By strengthening our local institutions and building more trust in our local government, we can create an environment where leaders thrive, students receive the education they need, and our community prospers.
