Robert J. Hughes (Ph.D., University of North Texas) specializes in business administration and college instruction. He has taught Introduction to Business for more than 35 years both on campus and online for Richland College, one of seven campuses that are part of the Dallas County Community College District. In addition to BUSINESS and FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS, published by Cengage Learning, he has authored college textbooks in personal finance and business mathematics and served as a content consultant for two popular national television series, "It's Strictly Business" and "Dollars & Sense: Personal Finance for the 21st Century." He is also the co-author of a new online Introduction to Business course for Dallas County Community Colleges that accompanies the FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS text. In addition, he is lead author for a business math project utilizing artificial intelligence and computer-assisted instruction funded by the ALEKS Corporation.

He is active in many academic and professional organizations and has served as a consultant and investment adviser to individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations. Dr. Hughes is the recipient of three different Teaching in Excellence Awards at Richland College. According to Dr. Hughes, after 35 years of teaching Introduction to Business, the course is still exciting: "There's nothing quite like the thrill of seeing students succeed, especially in a course like Introduction to Business, which provides the foundation for not only academic courses, but also life in the real world.".