Department of Government and Justice Studies

News

  1. Home
  2. News
Dr. William Hicks is the chair of the Appalachian State University Department of Government and Justice Studies.

Dr. William Hicks discusses Nevada voter ID measure in the Las Vegas Sun
Oct 28, 2026

When voter ID proposals first spread after the disputed 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, they drew support from both par...

Joshua Allen (left) and Brock Long (right)

Former FEMA administrator Brock Long '97 '99 and wife establish emergency management fellowship at App State
Oct 14, 2026

Former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator and Homeland Security Today Editorial Board member Brock Long and his wife, Mandi, hav...

Dr. Matthew Robinson

Dr. Matthew Robinson quoted in Los Angeles Times article on capital punishment
Oct 12, 2026

Matthew Robinson, a criminal justice professor at Appalachian State University and author of a book on U.S. capital punishment titled “Death Nation,...

Smiling man with glasses and a beard, wearing a black shirt patterned with yellow geometric shapes against a bright yellow background.

Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa strengthens App State's global ties through Fulbright Specialist residency in South Africa
Oct 5, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, professor of public administration in Appalachian State University's Department of Government and Justice Studie...

App State alumnus Forrest Gilliam ’08, GROW NC legislative director, second from right in foreground, addresses community members in downtown Marshall following Hurricane Helene. Photo courtesy of GROW NC

Forrest Gilliam ’08 among App State Mountaineers working to rebuild Western NC 2 years after Helene
Oct 2, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in September 2024, the Appalachian State University Community rallied to suppo...

By Giada Copersito

2 years after Helene, local organizations fear aid is in jeopardy [faculty featured]
Oct 2, 2026

Wayne Pitts, associate professor in App State’s Department of Government and Justice Studies and former executive director of Ashe County’s Habita...

Dr. Ellen Key

UNCA students navigate mixed opinions on voting ahead of the midterms [faculty featured]
Oct 2, 2026

“If you want politicians to take you seriously, you need to make your voice non-ignorable. The best way to do that is by voting,” said Ellen Key, ...

App State Chancellor Heather Norris, center, is pictured with the 2026 members of App State’s Bell Ringers Society on Founders Day, which took place Sept. 18 at Founders Plaza on the Boone campus. Pictured with Norris, from left to right, are Richard Sparks ’76 ’78, Judy James ’69, Barbara Freiman, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ford, Winfield Beroth ’65, Duane Reese and Dr. Harold McKinney ’70. Dr. Cathy McKinney, professor emerita in App State’s Hayes School of Music, was posthumously inducted into the society. Photo

Leading with purpose, serving with impact: Founders Day honors 127 years of App State
Sep 18, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Celebrating 127 years of educational leadership, Appalachian State University held its ninth annual Founders Day on Sept. 18, honoring...

App State sophomores Kate Borkowski and River Savante pose together on the Blue Ridge Parkway Sept. 3.

The roommates who summited Mt. Kilimanjaro [student featured]
Sep 14, 2026

From Mexico to Egypt, two App State students traveled together across several countries and continents, and this summer they embarked on a trip that w...

UNIZULU Strengthens Global Ties and Research Capacity Following Engagement with Fulbright Specialist Prof Jesse Lutabingwa [faculty featured]
Sep 3, 2026

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) recently concluded a highly successful 40-day residency with visiting Fulbright Specialist, Professor Jesse Lutab...

Subscribe