I am currently an Assistant Professor of History at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where I will teach classes on race and ethnicity in America, Civil Rights, Immigration History, oral history, borderlands history, and surveys of United States History.

I have also taught at:
Angelo State University (ASU)
The United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA)
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

What unites these experiences is my focus on expressing a diverse array of experiences in history, using the words of the people at the time whenever possible.

I use a variety of tools for my classes, including music and art, newspapers and videos, historical role play (Reacting to the Past), and walking tours and short trips when possible. At West Point I also assisted with educational trips for cadets, including to Ellis Island, New York City, Philadelphia, local Black History walking tours, and on-campus Black History tours.

I have received awards for my teaching at UCSB and West Point. At Angelo State I was the founding director of the Ethnic Studies Minor and I advised the History Society. I created digital teaching materials, including digital primary source books on immigration for West Point and the companion website for Almost All Aliens.

My full CV can be found on the About Me page, which includes a comprehensive record of my teaching experience and awards.

Dr. Hooton at the front of a classroom lecturing during a US History survey course.
Dr. Hooton at the front of a classroom lecturing during a US History survey course.
Laura Hooton (left) and other History Department members at an award ceremony at West Point, 2022
Laura Hooton (left) and other History Department members at an award ceremony at West Point, 2022

My Teaching

Dr. Hooton, back left, with students and instructor on Black history walking tour in Newburgh, NY.
Dr. Hooton, back left, with students and instructor on Black history walking tour in Newburgh, NY.
Dr. Hooton, center, with West Point students on a tour at Ellis Island
Dr. Hooton, center, with West Point students on a tour at Ellis Island
Dr. Hooton, center, at Battle Monument discussing Civil War memory with students at West Point
Dr. Hooton, center, at Battle Monument discussing Civil War memory with students at West Point
Dr. Hooton, left, discussing Mexican American history with two students (right) at Angelo State.
Dr. Hooton, left, discussing Mexican American history with two students (right) at Angelo State.
Dr. Hooton, center, with history faculty and History Society students at Angelo State
Dr. Hooton, center, with history faculty and History Society students at Angelo State

While at West Point, I created and launched the Black History Project (BHP), a new initiative aimed at integrating Black history into conversations and initiatives on campus. I partnered with MAJ Louisa Koebrich and MAJ Makonen Campbell to create a ten-year plan to ensure the project's future.

My work on the project included support for student research projects (including senior theses), informational videos, material creation for the website, and leading events and informational sessions.

Dr. Hooton, left, with students at Cullum Hall at West Point. Black history and memory walking tour
Dr. Hooton, left, with students at Cullum Hall at West Point. Black history and memory walking tour

Black History Project (USMA)

Visit the BHP website

Ethnic Studies Minor, Gender Studies Minor & History Society (ASU)

While at Angelo State, I founded and directed the Ethnic Studies Minor.

I also served on the Gender Studies Minor Committee and advised the History Society, ASU's history club. I contributed to events and meetings held by AMAS (Association for Mexican American Students), ASA (African Student Association), the annual Juneteenth Celebration, and volunteered for the San Angelo Hispanic Heritage organization.

See the minor website
Dr. Hooton and Dr. Jason Pierce (center) with History Society leadership at their book launch event
Dr. Hooton and Dr. Jason Pierce (center) with History Society leadership at their book launch event

The BHP in 2021 included significant events and collaboration across campus.

I participated in discussions with sports teams about race and ethnicity at West Point. Myself, MAJ Campbell, and MAJ Koebrich lead a discussion for the Dean's Book Club about the history of the Underground Railroad and ways to discuss the history of enslavement and freedom. I was invited to sit on the Dean's Faculty Panel to discuss the BHP and its goals (streamed on YouTube, visible below).

Dr. Hooton, in blue, with History faculty and students in an auditorium discussing teaching and race
Dr. Hooton, in blue, with History faculty and students in an auditorium discussing teaching and race
Cover of Book The Underground Railroad Colso Whitehead and text about Dean's Book Club meeting
Cover of Book The Underground Railroad Colso Whitehead and text about Dean's Book Club meeting

Campus Visibility and Conversations (USMA)

A BHP team, including myself, LTC Rory McGovern, LTC Rick Black, MAJ Louisa Koebrich, and MAJ Makonen Campbell, led over 150 students, faculty, and staff on Black History tours in February of 2021. The entire football team attended, as well as the Dean. The tours included various spots on campus and covered early African American cadet experiences, Buffalo Soldiers history, and Civil War memory.

Dr. Hooton discussing Civil War memory and Black history at Honor Plaza, near Library, West Point
Dr. Hooton discussing Civil War memory and Black history at Honor Plaza, near Library, West Point

Black History Walking Tours (USMA)

Dr. Hooton discussing first Black cadets outside Nininger Hall, West Point
Dr. Hooton discussing first Black cadets outside Nininger Hall, West Point
Dr. Hooton discussing Black history and memory with students at Cullum Hall at West Point tour
Dr. Hooton discussing Black history and memory with students at Cullum Hall at West Point tour
Dr. Laura Hooton

Assistant Professor of History
New Mexico State University

hooton@nmsu.edu

Dr. Hooton's NMSU Page