Dr. Hodges earned his Doctorate of Education, specializing in Developmental Education, from Grambling State University in Louisiana. He is a past president of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) and past chair of the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA). Russ has won numerous awards for his teaching, service and scholarship including being named CLADEA Fellow in 2009. His research interest includes college access, persistence and completion for underserved populations; postsecondary peer-support interventions (e.g. coaching, mentoring, tutoring, and advising); the role of learning frameworks courses in student persistence and completion; and developmental education policy.