Published on May 13, 2025 by Gunnar Sadowey  
Emily Hynds
Emily Hynds

Samford University recently announced the appointment of Emily Hynds as the new executive director for faculty success, effective July 1, 2025. In this part-time role within the Office of Academic Affairs, Hynds will report to PJ Hughes and lead university-wide initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering faculty throughout their careers.

In addition to this new position, Hynds will continue to serve as associate dean in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences, where she is also a professor of mathematics and the university’s faculty athletics representative.

As executive director, Hynds will oversee the Faculty Success Center, building on its existing programming and expanding its resources for faculty development. She will play a key role in organizing faculty orientation and onboarding as well as leading signature events such as Faculty Connect and the Mini-Conference on Teaching and Learning.

Hynds will also serve as a core leader in the Leadership Samford Program, contributing to the development of the university’s next generation of academic leaders.

“My plan is to continue and expand upon the excellent work that has happened under the direction of PJ Hughes,” Hynds said. “I want every faculty member to both feel and be well equipped for success. That will come through providing practical resources for growth and development as well as creating space for connection that leads to a sense of belonging in the Samford community.”

Hughes praised the appointment, noting Hynds’ collaborative leadership style and longstanding dedication to the Samford community. “Dr. Hynds is a well-known faculty member at Samford and has the deep respect of our faculty community,” he said. “This respect and trust our faculty has in her, coupled with her competence as an academic leader, make her well-suited for this opportunity.”

Known for her passion for fostering community and supporting professional growth, Hynds brings decades of experience and insight to this new role. Her appointment reflects Samford’s continued commitment to enriching the academic and professional lives of its faculty.

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Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.