South Carolina State University’s 9th President, Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., is a native of Green Pond, South Carolina, a small rural community in the low country of South Carolina. Growing up on a farm, he quickly learned the value of hard work and discipline. His parents instilled in him an appreciation for and the importance of education. His mother, Irene, was his first grade teacher and his father; Rev. Andrew Hugine, Sr. was a minister. He attributes his success to the good fortune of having excellent teachers, good role models, a supportive family and an abiding faith in God. He has outlined and articulated a clearly defined vision for the University predicated upon Excellence to propel the University to unparalleled heights.

Hugine holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education/Institutional Research from Michigan State University, a Master of Education degree and Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from South Carolina State University.

Hugine brings more than 25 years of diverse administrative experience to the position of President. He embraces a data-driven, decision-making model buttressed by a business approach which views the University as a corporation whose product is education and whose customers are its students. Prior to his appointment as President of South Carolina State University, he served his alma mater as Interim Executive Vice President. Also at South Carolina State University, he served as a Professor of Mathematics, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Institutional Self Study, Assistant Director of the Self Study and Research Fellow. In addition, Hugine served as Institutional Research Analyst and Assistant Professor of Institutional Research and a Teaching Assistant at Michigan State University. His first professional position was a high school teacher of mathematics.

He is committed to faculty governance and professional development. He has served as Parliamentarian, Vice President and President of the Faculty Senate. Chairmanship of committees included Institutional Self-Study Committee on Graduate Education and Publications, Institutional Self-Study Committee on Financial Resources, University Assessment Committee, General Education, Follow-up Committee on SACS Recommendations, Performance Funding, Educational Policies, Faculty Evaluation, Tenure and Promotion, Research Advisory, and Budget and Planning. He has presented papers to professional organizations and has authored or co-authored five mathematics textbooks.

Always sensitive and supportive of student issues, Hugine served as President of the Student Council at Ivenia Brown Elementary School, President of the Student Council at Colleton High School, and two terms as President of the Student Government Association at South Carolina State University. He also served as a fraternity advisor for fifteen years. Caring and concern for students were also evident in the classroom. Students not only received instruction in the subject matter, but lessons on living that prepared them for the future. His students and colleagues selected him as Teacher of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education. Through his instruction and advisor’s role, he has directly impacted the lives of more than 3,500 students.

He is active in civic, community, and fraternal activities. He maintains active membership in his home church of Jerusalem A.M.E. and Williams Chapel A.M.E. Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Other organizations include Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Edisto Masonic Lodge (PHA), Edisto United Way Board of Directors, and former member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his participation in these activities and organizations.

Hugine is married to the former Abbiegail Hamilton, also a graduate of South Carolina State University and a high school administrator, and they have two children; Andrew, III and Akilah.