Hurd holds a bachelor-s degree from Mount Holyoke College, a master-s degree from Harvard University, a Ph.D. from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, and a J.D. from the University of Memphis. She is a member of the National Conference of Bar Examiners and also serves on the boards of the Memphis Area Legal Services and the Memphis Black Repertory Theatre. She has served on the UT Board of Trustees since 2000.