The Marvalene Hughes Research in Education Conference is an annual event that is organized by the Council on Research in Education (CORE) committee to celebrate and showcase the work of COE faculty and graduate students. The first CORE Conference was held in 2007. In 2009, Dr. Marvalene Hughes began co-sponsoring the event, and generously continues to do so.

Dr. Hughes is a distinguished alumna of the college, where she earned her Ph.D. in Counseling and Administration. She is also a Florida State University Grad Made Good recipient. She previously served in a number of teaching and administrative positions at major research universities, including university president positions at Dillard University and California State University, Stanislaus. Dr. Hughes has engaged in research and published widely in the fields of education, human behavior, diversity, and organizational management. She also has been actively involved, nationally and internationally, in professional associations. Her generous support of this event is an illustration of her commitment to higher education and her vision for creating partnerships that advance the common good.