Master Scheduler, Mom and Mentor: Jennifer Hughes
After a long day at Whiteville Correctional Facility, Jennifer Hughes, master scheduler, comes home to a different job: mother of eight and, on some days, teacher of 25. While each job has its own challenges, Hughes brings the same passion and dedication to them all.
A five-year CCA employee, Hughes is CCA's first master scheduler, a role that has been anything but effortless. “I coordinate all of the shift rosters for the captains, place all officers on post, and schedule all of their training and all of their PTO time,” she explains. Nonetheless, Hughes has worked tirelessly to maintain an efficient scheduling system that would meet the needs of all employees.
“When I first began the position, I didn’t think I would make a difference in anybody’s life," she says. "But one officer told me, ‘You would not believe the difference since you started this. We feel more motivated in our work.’” And that was only the first in a succession of kudos Hughes has received. She has since trained master schedulers at 10 CCA facilities, including her own.
But when she journeys home for the day, Hughes' work is far from finished. You won't find her managing employees' work schedules, but you may very well find her working out whose night it is to do the dishes.
“I always wanted a big family,” Hughes says. “It’s time consuming. Everyone comes in my office and sees the pictures of my kids and they’re amazed that all of them are mine.”
A mom and stepmom to four boys and four girls who range from ages eight to 16, Hughes finds herself constantly running from one school or extracurricular function to another. In spite of these hurdles, Jennifer has earned a reputation for successfully balancing her commitments.
“Jennifer, like many of our employees, struggles to balance her professional life and her personal life,” says Steve Dotson, warden at Whiteville. “Yet unlike some, Jennifer does not use her family-related difficulties as an excuse. Instead, she finds ways to overcome what, for many, would be insurmountable challenges.”
“Sometimes it gets frustrating, but it’s such a joy being a parent,” says Hughes. “Everybody has to have something in their life to make them feel fulfilled and, for me, it’s my kids.”
And that's not her only source of fulfillment.
“We try to make sure our kids are active in church and we’re active with them,” she says, committed not only to helping her own children succeed, but also to seeing other kids reach their personal – and spiritual – potential.
On Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights at her church, Hughes teaches a class of kindergarteners through fifth-graders. "I had a really rough childhood and I never had anybody to reach out and tell me that it’s okay," she says. "My hope is that other kids won't feel like no one understands their struggles. I want to help everybody and give people the opportunity I never had, and that’s what makes me do what I do."
While you can find Hughes attending to a variety of responsibilities on any given day – whether it's organizing co-workers' shifts or encouraging a child - she is consistently driven by the desire to serve others. “I don’t want to see anybody in pain or struggling," she says. "I want people to know that even the smallest thing can make a difference."
By DeAndra Mack
June 5, 2009
Sound Out
C/O Kilpatrick at Diamondback:
I can only say WOW! Mrs. Hughes you balance such a demanding job as well as a demanding personal life. Being the father of just three, I can't even begin to imagine having eight. I can see why you make such a good master scheduler, though. Anyone that has the coordinating skills to handle eight children effectively day in and day out as well as work a full time job...Enough Said! Kudos to you Mrs. Hughes for having the determination and drive to take the reigns and to do so well.
Campbell at Whiteville Correctional:
Jennifer is truly a wonderful person.Not only is she there for her staff at work, she is there at anytime.Many times staff members have called her late at night or on weekends with issues, and she's always there to comfort them.She has always put others before herself and is constantly trying to make a difference. Her dedication and caring make her the perfect choice for Heroes.
Louise Grant at FSC:
Great work, Jennifer. And I really enjoyed the other employees' comments!
Kathy Miller at Facility Support Center:
I had the opportunity to meet Jennifer while conducting an audit at Whiteville earlier this year. What a positive, inspirational person she is. She absolutely glowed with enthusiasm for the job she does for our company.
Linda Sevison at Idaho Correctional Center:
I can appreciate Ms. Hughes' abilities to coordinate work and home life. It takes a real "mom" to be able to hold it all together and make it work. Work life and home life--each has its own challenges. Being able to coordinate both efficiently takes a lot of work!