Maya K. Hughes is a native of Memphis, TN where she graduated as valedictorian from Hillcrest High School. After graduation, Hughes continued her studies at the prestigious Jackson State University during fall 2017 as an industrial technology major concentrating in computer technology. During her matriculation at JSU, she held leadership positions in Blue Ambassadors as secretary and then vice president, Student Government Association as senior class secretary, Election Commission representative, and NAACP as secretary. She also joined national/ international honor societies such as Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and International Epsilon Pi Tau. In fall 2020, Hughes received her Master of Business Administration from Faulkner University’s graduate program.
During her time at JSU, Hughes realized her true talent for software developing and web design. After interning as a software developer during her college career, she decided to continue this field as a professional career. Therefore, she moved to Mobile, AL, and took a full-time internship offer at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) in Pascagoula, MS, America’s largest military shipyard company that builds for the Navy and Coast Guard. Shortly after, Hughes was presented the opportunity to make her position permanent in Spring 2018. Currently, she works as a software development analyst in the information technology department. She became active in Shipbuilding Women Engineers, African-American Shipbuilding Association, and HII’s employee resource group for employees who want to become more engaged with their colleagues. The company provides opportunities for personal and professional development, leadership, mentoring, volunteerism, cultural enrichment and community involvement.
Because of Hughes’ love for Jackson State University, she enjoys mentoring younger college students at JSU on preparing for life after college and has also returned to her alma mater to recruit students for Huntington Ingalls at JSU’s career fairs. She has also gone the extra mile to talk in classrooms about what Ingalls has to offer and their benefits.
Since JSU has instilled in Hughes a substantial amount of community involvement, service, and entrepreneurship experience, she has established her own nonprofit, a 501(c)(3) called “No Excuses Book Scholarship in Memphis, TN” in recognition of her late 8th grade teacher who has impacted her life. Also, she has established her web/graphic design called MASE, LLC.
Since 2017, Hughes has been a member of the Mobile, AL Alumni Chapter and the JSUNAA since graduation. In 2018, she was elected to attend the JSUNAA Spring Conference to represent her chapter. Also, Hughes was chosen to be a part of the 2018’s class of Connect Mobile, an organization that teaches young adults about leadership, solving community issues, and learning about the diverse offerings of Mobile, AL. This project allowed her group to raise $2,000 to help Mobile Bay Keepers organization to buy kits to test the Gulf coast waters to ensure that our communities are safe to swim. In fall 2020, Hughes has helped the Mobile Alumni Chapter to rebrand by creating a mobile website to establish a virtual community. Now, the Mobile, AL community can remain up-to-date during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hughes is always dedicated and motivated to proudly serving her community as a proud representation of JSU. She is a proud alumna of the illustrious Jackson State University, and is truly committed to recruiting students, giving back, and serving her dear ole college home! She proudly proclaims, “Tiger Born, Tiger Bred, and when I die, I’ll be tiger dead!”