Appalachian State University Logo
Appalachian State University Logo

Sarah Rupp

Sarah Rupp

 Associate General Counsel

Real Property

Sarah joined the Office of General Counsel in 2022. Her primary area of practice for the University is real estate. Prior to joining the General Counsel’s Office, Sarah was in private practice in Boone where she focused primarily on real estate transactions. She spent the beginning of her career in Washington, D.C., working in commercial real estate, including purchase and sale, leasing, and financing transactions. Sarah graduated from Cornell University and Duke University School of Law. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time outside with her husband and three children.

EXPERIENCE

Education

  • Cornell University 
  • Duke University, Juris Doctor

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina

Professional Affiliations

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • North Carolina State Bar Association
  • 35th Judicial District Bar
  • Watauga County Bar Association
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • University of North Carolina System Attorneys Group

 Practice Groups

  • Real Property
  • Transactional
  • Utility and Energy

Grace Wagner

Wendy Hildebran

Grace Wagner

Paralegal

Grace is originally from Charlotte, NC and moved to Boone, NC to pursue her education. Grace graduated from Appalachian State University in 2022 with her undergraduate degree and her master’s from App State in 2024. She began her work as a paralegal in criminal and civil defense law in the High Country. Grace Wagner began working as a Paralegal in the Office of General Counsel in November 2023. Grace is an active alumnus and App State football fan.

EXPERIENCE

Education

  • Appalachian State University, 2022 BS of International Criminal Justice
  • Appalachian State University, 2024 Master of Public Administration, Administration of Justice

Emily Cornett

Paul A. Meggett

Emily Cornett

Executive Assistant

Having worked at Appalachian State University for the past four years, Emily made the switch to the Office of General Counsel in April of 2022. Before joining the Appalachian State family, she had focused her career on Child Development, working with many early learning centers within her community. Emily spends much time involved in youth sports as her two sons play soccer, basketball, and baseball. She is honored to be able to serve Appalachian State.

Hunter Swayngim

Hunter Swayngim

Administrative Assistant

Hunter Swayngim began working at Appalachian State University for the Office of General Counsel in June 2024. While attending UNC Charlotte, he worked as a Student Assistant until graduating in 2019. In October 2020 he began working with Political Science and Public Administration as the Undergraduate Administrative Associate and in July 2022 he took on the Administrative Assistant position in the International Student and Scholar Office.

Hunter is from Mills River, North Carolina and grew up on a small farm deep in the Appalachian Mountains. There he built a trebuchet to launch leftover pumpkins for his senior project in high school. While in Charlotte he spent several years challenging corporate landlord practices, policies, and HOA restrictions on behalf of renters in low-income and starter home areas. In his free time he enjoys gardening, small plot farming, winemaking, and spending time with his fiancée and new puppy.