Dr. Carol L. J. Hustoles served as Legal Counsel for Western Michigan University for over 25 years, including as Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel for 14 years, and earlier as General Counsel and in other attorney positions. She earned her J.D. from The University of Michigan Law School, Ph.D. from Western Michigan University, and B.S. degree from Michigan State University. Joining WMU’s Haworth College of Business as a full-time faculty member in 2016 immediately following retiring as Vice President, she now utilizes both her J.D. and Ph.D. teaching law courses for the College.
Dr. Hustoles’ professional accomplishments include top honors in the nonprofit category of Crain’s Detroit Business’ inaugural General and In-House Counsel Awards, Michigan Lawyers Weekly naming her as one of Michigan’s “Leaders in the Law,” and being honored by Inforum. Dr. Hustoles is a Fulbright Award Scholar, a former NACUA Board member, and past president of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Southwest Region).
Pursuant to gubernatorial and congressional appointments, Dr. Hustoles served as Vice-Chair of the Western District Committee assisting Congress and the U.S. Presidential administration review and recommend applicants for federal positions. She has served on Michigan’s State Board of Ethics, and as WMU’s legal officer for Michigan Association of State Universities. Dr. Hustoles has assisted sexual assault victims through the YWCA, served on the Portage Community Center Board and Inforum Regional Council, and is currently a Michigan Women’s Foundation Board Trustee.
An active member of NACUA since 1991, Carol has served on many committees including the Editorial Board for The Journal of College and University Law, the Committee on Board Operations, and the Committee on Strategic Planning. She served on NACUA’s Board of Directors from 2001-2003 as a member-at-large. In addition to being a frequent speaker and moderator at NACUA conferences, she has also been an author of NACUA publications, including writing an article in The Journal of College and University Law.
Carol has brought character, energy, and great talent to everything she has done for the Association. She is a true representative of the Association’s core values with a spirit and enthusiasm that welcomed all colleagues with whom she came in contact.
NACUA is pleased to recognize Carol L. J. Hustoles as a Life Member of the Association in recognition of her outstanding service and her sustained and substantial contributions to NACUA and the field of higher education law.