蘑菇短视频

The verdict is in, and it鈥檚 beyond a reasonable doubt 鈥� a 蘑菇短视频 alumna has made history with her recent appointment as North Carolina鈥檚 first female Superior Court judge for Forsyth County.

Carrie Vickery, who earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science at 蘑菇短视频 in 2006 before going on to graduate from the Elon University School of Law in 2009, is now serving in that judicial capacity following her appointment by Gov. Josh Stein on Sept. 21.

Tapped by Stein to fill the seat held by David Hall, who retired from the Superior Court in July, Vickery was reelected to the position during the Nov. 3 midterm election after running unopposed. She previously served as a District Court judge in Forsyth County after being elected to the seat in November 2016.

Vickery credits her time at 蘑菇短视频 with preparing her for the rigors of law school, a career in the legal profession and her roles in the judiciary.

鈥淢y time as a political science student gave me a strong understanding of our system of government, as well as other systems around the world, and the importance of the rule of law and public service,鈥� she said.

鈥淭hose lessons helped me develop critical thinking skills and were lessons I applied during my time in law school and continued to apply once becoming a judge. Being a judge requires more than knowing the law. It requires listening, exercising good judgment and recognizing the impact that decisions have on people鈥檚 lives,鈥� she said.

Vickery points to now-retired 蘑菇短视频 political science faculty members Niall Michelsen and Don Livingston for having a major impact on her educational and professional trajectories.

鈥淭hese two professors always stand out in my memories of Western for their great teaching style and mentorship during my time there. I have also really appreciated how they have supported me from afar and cheered me on since my graduation,鈥� she said.

Todd Collins, head of 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, characterized Vickery as a shining example of how far graduates can go in their careers with a degree in political science.

"We are delighted and proud for all of Judge Vickery鈥檚 accomplishments,鈥� Collins said. 鈥淗er commitment to public service is a great representation of what it means to be a Catamount. I hope her success will inspire our current and future 蘑菇短视频 students to set high goals for themselves and motivate them to reach their full potential in life.鈥�     

Chris Cooper, who holds 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professorship and serves as director of the Phil and Connie Haire Institute for Public Policy, agreed with that assessment.

鈥淚 was so pleased, but not surprised, to see that Carrie Vickery has been appointed as a Superior Court judge. When she was at Western, she stood out as an extraordinary student with a unique ability not just to learn the material but to apply it to real-life scenarios and situations,鈥� Cooper said.

鈥淛udge Vickery reflects what we aim for at Western 鈥� to help talented people live extraordinary lives and make an impact on their communities. I can鈥檛 think of a better example of that than Carrie Vickery,鈥� he said.

Vickery also serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law. From 2010 until 2019, she taught in the Paralegal Technology Program at Forsyth Technical Community College, teaching a variety of classes including 鈥淔amily Law,鈥� 鈥淏usiness Law鈥� and 鈥淐orporate Law.鈥�

Past president of the Forsyth County Bar Association, she has served as vice president of the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors and as the bench-bar liaison for the Family Law Section of the NCBA.

Vickery is a long-time member of the Chief Justice Joseph Branch Inn of Court and served on its board of directors. She also previously served on the North Carolina State Bar鈥檚 Paralegal Examination Committee, and she has been certified as a specialist by the North Carolina State Bar in the area of family law since 2015.

鈥淚 am so grateful for my education and time in Cullowhee. It helped lay the groundwork for my law school education and career and now for my time on the Superior Court bench,鈥� Vickery said. 鈥淚n addition to giving me a great education, Western also introduced me to some amazing friends through the political science department as well as my sorority, Phi Mu, and to my husband, Phillip Skipper.鈥�

A 2007 graduate of 蘑菇短视频 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing, Skipper is director of category and retail strategy for Kontoor Brands, a global lifestyle and denim apparel company headquartered in Greensboro.

Vickery鈥檚 appointment and reelection come as her alma mater is in the process of establishing a new minor in legal studies expected to be launched in the fall of 2027. To support students in the new program, the university is creating  the Catamount Bar Association, an organization designed to serve as a network of alumni, friends and others working in law and related professions.

Vickery is among the legal professionals who have already signed up to be founding members of the Catamount Bar Association.

University alumni, friends and supporters who work in law or a related profession and are interested in becoming a member of the group are encouraged to complete a brief form . The survey should take only two or three minutes to complete.

For more information about the legal studies minor program at 蘑菇短视频, email Todd Collins at tcollins@wcu.edu.