Meredith Hooks ’00,’02
B.A. History
M.A. Political Science
Greensboro, N.C.
THEN:
Hooks' experience at Appalachian prepared her for her role today by providing her leadership opportunities through marching band, practical experience through work-study and professional connections through internships. Specifically, Hooks cites her graduate course in Court Administration as having best prepared her for work today. Hooks says of her favorite professor, now retired with emeritus, Dr. Ronald Stidham, “He was a great teacher (I took every class he offered), a learned scholar, a helpful graduate adviser and a southern gentleman.”
Her only regret is not taking the opportunity to study abroad in England as a History undergraduate. However, Hooks says she is most thankful for the opportunity to work with the incredibly professional, caring and committed staff at the Child Development Center for four years while she was a student.
Photo of Meredith Hooks from her time at Appalachian State University, as a member of the ASU Marching Band. Photo submitted.
NOW:
Since graduating, Hooks has worked for government agencies including a district attorney's office, a county attorney's office and a sheriff's office, in addition to several non-profit domestic violence organizations. Currently, she supervises a team of victim advocates, interns and volunteers at Family Services, Inc. This organization assists survivors of interpersonal violence in navigating the civil and criminal court systems within the Family Justice Center model.
For those interested in a similar field of work as Hooks, she says that “Many candidates for victim advocate positions are coming right out of school so when I see relevant internships on a resume, it moves to the top of the stack.”
Hooks strongly encourages current Appalchian students to do what they can to engage in internships during their time in college, even if one is not required for their program of study.
Current headshot of Meredith Hooks. Photo submitted.
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About the Department of History
The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, which encourages history majors to develop a comprehensive approach to human problems. The study of history is an essential part of a liberal arts education and offers valuable preparation for many careers, such as law, journalism, public history, public service and business, as well as in teaching and the advanced discipline of history. Learn more at https://history.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Government and Justice Studies
Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at https://gjs.appstate.edu.
Compiled and written by Barclay Ann Blankenship and Ellen Gwin Burnette
March 31, 2020
BOONE, N.C.
Meredith Hooks ’00,’02 B.A. History, M.A. Political Science from Greensboro, N.C. Photo submitted.
Meredith Hooks ’00,’02 B.A. History, M.A. Political Science from Greensboro, N.C. Photo submitted.