Patricia Hughes is in her 10th year at the University of Montevallo and her third year as an Assistant Athletic Director. She assists with game administration and coordinates external relations programs for the department, including NCAA Community Engagement and Game Environment initiatives, fundraising and the Falcons community service program, which contributed over 2,000 hours of service during the 2009-10 academic year.

During her tenure at Montevallo, Hughes served four years as the Senior Woman Administrator and eight months at Interim Athletic Director. She completed the NACWAA/HERS program in 2008 and has served on national and regional committees within the NCAA. She also serves as the head coach for the UM women’s soccer program, which has qualified for post-season play for four consecutive seasons.

A 1993 graduate of Coker College, Hughes was a two-time NAIA All-American, an NSCAA/adidas All-American and named to the All-District team four times. The all-time scoring leader, male or female in Coker College soccer history, she was also named First Team NSCAA All-East three times, the team's leading scorer and team captain four years and team MVP and best offensive player twice. In the spring of 2001, Hughes became the first women's soccer player to be inducted into the Coker College Athletic Hall of Fame. Hughes also played internationally, making twenty appearances for the Republic of Ireland National Team from 1985-90.

She holds a master’s degree in Education from the University of Montevallo.