Meet a Vanderbilt USAC Member: Ed Higgins
Ed Higgins
What department do you work in and what is your job title?
I work in the Athletic Department and am the Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities & Event Management.
How long have you been a Vanderbilt employee?
If you count my time at the Medical Center it’s approaching 15 years. I started working in Athletics in May of 2014.
What has been your career journey to lead you to where you are today?
I have both accounting and finance degrees from the University of Kentucky. Out of college I worked for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) based out of Atlanta and then Nashville. I then worked at Renal Care Group. In 1999-2000 I attended Ohio University and obtained a master’s degree in Sport’s Administration and Facility Management. After moving back to Nashville I worked on a PGA Champion’s Tour event at Opryland and a LPGA event at Legends Club. Next I worked on sports sponsorships, community outreach and marketing for various areas of the Medical Center. Eventually landing in the Athletic Department.
What do you enjoy most about Vanderbilt? (i.e. missions, benefits, views of sustainability, community, etc.)?
I’m very lucky in that I get to work with multiple departments across the entire University. Getting to know those people and work with them every day is what I enjoy the most.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
My dad was a long time high & middle school football coach. I tagged along to practices and games all the time, so I wanted to do that when I was young. My senior year of high school I did work study at a pharmacy and fell in love with that. I didn’t get into pharmacy school at Kentucky and didn’t want to move before my senior year, so that dream died. I’ve always been very organized and a planner, so working events comes natural to me now.
What is your favorite type of music?
I am a huge rap and R&B guy. I like the modern people, but 80’s and 90’s is my wheelhouse. The first concert I ever attended was Run DMC & Beastie Boys at Starwood Amphitheater. Some friends and I even created and performed several raps for another friend who was running for state and national office for the Beta Club. We were so hip!
What has been your favorite vacation you have ever been on?
Hands down it was last summer when my wife, three children and I went to Europe for a month. We went to Paris, Barcelona, Nice, Monaco, Rome and Split, Croatia (plus had some side trips). We had such a great time and are already planning another European trip.
What are you most proud of in your life thus far?
I guess that since I referenced my family I’m obligated to mention them here. I don’t want everyone to think badly of me…ha. My wife is an Executive Director of a non-profit that mainly deals with special needs children. I’m so proud of how she has grown and managed that. I’m also continually awed and amazed by my children (16, 14 and 9 years old). They seem to do something on a daily basis that makes me proud.
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