Rebecca Hughes

Grant Support Specialist

Office of Research, Graduate Programs, and Faculty Development

Education Administration

About

I have worked in higher education for over a decade and began supporting faculty in research development and grant writing in 2022. I specialize in managing the pre-award side of grants—everything from finding the right opportunities to crafting budgets and making sure proposals align with funders’ expectations. I love working behind the scenes to support innovative research and build strong, collaborative relationships with the faculty I support. Outside of work, I enjoy wrangling my two children and my small menagerie of pets.
I also enjoy gardening, reading, watching television, and playing games.

Education

  • B.A., Anthropology and French, Grinnell College
  • M.Ed., Higher Education, The Pennsylvania State University

Career Experience

  • Grant Support Specialist – Purdue University, College of Education: October 2024-present
  • Assistant Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations – Grinnell College: November 2022-October 2024
  • Academic Advisor – The Pennsylvania State University, World Campus: March 2016-November 2022
  • Admissions Counselor – The Pennsylvania State University, World Campus: March 2014-March 2016
  • Library Supervisor – The Pennsylvania State University, Pattee & Paterno Libraries: November 2012-March 2014