Appalachian State University Logo
Appalachian State University Logo

Brad Trahan

Brad Trahan

Brad Trahan

Interim General Counsel and Director of
Institutional Integrity

Brad Trahan joined Appalachian State University on September 1, 2024 as Interim General Counsel and Director of Institutional Integrity. He previously served as Senior Associate General Counsel for University of North Carolina System since 2021 where he provided advice and counsel to administrators and staff on a broad range of legal, contractual, and regulatory issues. His primary practice areas included finance and administration, strategy and policy, business and transactional matters, construction and real estate, university governance and government relations.

During his time with the UNC System, Trahan was instrumental in supporting the launch of Project Kitty Hawk, and served as counsel and support for the Board of Governors Committee on Budget and Finance and Committee on Audit, Risk Management and Compliance. He also served as counsel for the University of North Carolina Foundation, Inc., and its subsidiaries, and provided advice and counsel to UNC affiliates, including PBS North Carolina.

In addition to his work with the UNC System, Trahan has prior experience working at two UNC System universities: UNC Charlotte and NC State, where he advised business and finance divisions, advancement offices, offices for research and technology transfer, safety and security divisions and athletics. His career experience also includes experience in commercial contracts.

Trahan holds a B.A. in Public & Interpersonal Communication from NC State and his J.D. from Campbell University.

trahanbc@appstate.edu

828-262-2751

Melissa Blocker

Paul A. Meggett

Melissa Blocker

Director of Legal and Compliance Operations

Melissa Blocker began working as a Paralegal in the Office of General Counsel in March 2020 and began serving as Director of Legal and Compliance Operations in 2022. Melissa currently serves as the Ethics Liaison between Appalachian and the North Carolina State Ethics Commission.  Before joining Appalachian State, she worked in a criminal defense law firm, assisting with numerous and various types of criminal matters. Melissa has worked in several facets of the legal field, including as a Mediator, certified by the Dispute Resolution Commission of North Carolina, wherein she successfully mediated many cases involving domestic, juvenile, civil, and criminal law issues. Melissa also served as Program Coordinator in the 24th Judicial District of North Carolina, for the Sentencing Services Program, which is organized under the Office of Indigent Defense Services of North Carolina, wherein she developed and helped implement many incarceration diversion plan(s) and other sentencing and rehabilitation options. Melissa received her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State (Bachelor of Science in Political Science, magna cum laude) and her Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology from Caldwell Community College. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar Association Paralegal and criminal law sections. Melissa is involved in the community with school sports programs, particularly basketball with her son and husband. She loves to camp (or glamp in an RV) with her family, attend Appalachian Basketball games, and is proud to be a part of the Appalachian community.

EXPERIENCE

Education

  • Appalachian State University, Bachelor of Science in Political Science (magna cum laude), 2000
  • Caldwell Community College, Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology, 1998

Professional Affiliations

  • NC Bar Association Paralegal and criminal law sections
  • Association of College and University Policy Administrators
  • National Association of College and University Business Officers
  • Corporate Legal Operations Consortium

Practice Groups

  • Higher Education
  • Litigation (eDiscovery, Torts, Workers’ Compensation)
  • Real Property
  • Transactional
  • University Governance

Wendy Hildebran

Wendy Hildebran

Wendy Hildebran

Senior Paralegal

Wendy Hildebran began working as a Paralegal in the Office of General Counsel in July of 2021 and began serving as the Senior Paralegal in 2022.  Wendy graduated from North Carolina State University and Meredith College.  She began her career working as a paralegal for the law firm of Wheatly, Wheatly, Nobles  Weeks, PA in Beaufort, NC, where she supported the attorney for the Town of Beaufort and Carteret County.  She relocated to Greensboro, NC, where she worked as a paralegal to the Vice-President and General Counsel of General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems, Inc.    She and her husband, Scott, live in Lenoir with their two cats.

EXPERIENCE

Education

  • North Carolina State University, Bachelor of Science in Political Science, 1992
  • Meredith College, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies, 1994

Professional Affiliations

  • NC Bar Association Paralegal and Education law sections

Practice Groups

  •  Litigation (eDiscovery, Torts, Workers’ Compensation)
  • Real Property
  • Transactional
  • University Governance

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.