In 1994, Hussey was appointed Registrar and Deputy President of UCD, a position she held until her retirement in 2004 She was known for her rigorous defense of academic standards and addressing quality of teaching at UCD. In 1996, she became chair woman of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment making her, according to a profile in the Irish Times, "arguably the second most influential woman in Irish education". Niamh Bhreathnach was the Minister for Education at the time, and Caroline Hussey strongly supported her decision to abolish third level fees.
