In the House of Representatives, she serves as Democratic Caucus (Minority) Whip, and is a member of the Ethics Committee, Rules Committee, Appropriations-Health Sub Committee and the Insurance Committee. She also serves as a member of the Women's Legislative Caucus and the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.

She has dedicated her public service to children and family issues. Carolyn's outstanding and effective leadership extends outside of her legislative duties into community involvement. She's a member of Franchise Missionary Baptist Church where she serves on the Deacon's Wives board and chair of the Hostess Committee. Other memberships include the Lower Chattahoochee Area Workforce Investment Board, Board of Directors of SISTERS, Inc, Gamma Tau Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Columbus Chapter, The Links, Incorporated.

The appreciation for Representative Hugley's fine leadership has been recognized by the Georgia School Counselors Association 2010 Legislator of the Year; Citizen of the Year Lambda Iota Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity 2010;Georgia Association of Education 2008 Legislator of the Year, the Georgia Municipal Association's Champion of Georgia Cities Award, National Association of Business and Professional Women's Club with the Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award; 2000 Legislator of the Year; Georgia School Counselor's Association and the Concharty Council of the Girl Scout's Woman of Achievement Award; Boss of the Year-1997 by the American Business Women's Association, Consolidated Chapter; The 1996 Legislative Award from the Ophthalmologist Association; Service Award-1994 from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Award of Excellence by South Westview Against Drugs; Outstanding Community Service Award from the Professional Women of Columbus; Citizen of the Month - November 1993 by the Columbus Times Newspaper; Blacks of Distinction Award-1991 by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club. She also holds the recognition as a Gracious Lady of Georgia 2002.

Representative Hugley was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, and the daughter of Arkansas Educators Mr. and Mrs. Walker Fleming, Jr. Representative Hugley was a 1975 graduate of Forrest City High School. She continued her education and earned Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where she graduated with Summa cum Laude Honors. She stayed on the road to education until she reached Starksville, Mississippi where she earned a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University.

A career for Representative Hugley began upon completion of Graduate School where she worked as a Senior Analyst for the Mississippi State Legislature - Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review. Her work history includes being a Planner for the Lower Chattahoochee Area Planning and Development Commission and the Director of Planning and Economic Development for Lee County Council of Governments.

Representative Hugley is an Independent Contractor, Agent and Owner for State Farm Insurance Company, located at 3312 St. Mary's Road.

Mississippi is where she met and betrothed City Manager, Isaiah Hugley, who is a Columbus native. They have two children, Kimberly and Isaiah Jr. and two grandchildren Kandyce and Adam.