Judith Elaine Hieber was born in Covington, Kentucky, on August 23, 1945. Hieber received a General Diploma (1966) from Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia. She then received a B.S. (1969) in physical education and an M.S. (1971) in administration of physical education from Indiana University.

Hieber worked at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, as an Assistant Athletic Director (1974-1979) before coming to Iowa State University. At Iowa State, she was Assistant Director of Athletics (1979-1990), Associate Athletics Director (1990-2002), and Interim Director of Athletics (2000). Hieber retired from Iowa State in 2002.

During her tenure at Iowa State, Hieber was a tireless supporter of equity in women’s athletics. She oversaw the University’s transition of the women’s athletic program from the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) to the NCAA in 1982 effectively merging the men’s and women’s programs into one. She was responsible for Athletic Department student services, compliance, media relations, and human resources. Under her guidance, women’s teams at Iowa State grew dramatically in terms of participation, administrative support, and popularity.

Hieber has been inducted into the Miami University Hall of Fame (1999), the Miami Cradle of Coaches (2011), and the Iowa State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2008). She has served on the Margaret Sloss Women's Center Advisory Council, the University Diversity Project Steering Committee, and as chair of the Professional and Scientific Council and the University Committee on Women. She has received ISU's Professional and Scientific Excellence Award (1989), the Carrie Chapman Catt Gender Equity Award (1990), and the ISU Presidential Service Award (2001).

She helped bring the Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games to Ames, working as director and chair of the event, and chaired the first-ever Special Olympics USA National Games hosted by Iowa State (2006).