Matt Van Hook

Dr. Matthew Van Hook received his doctoral degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame with a focus on political theory, constitutional studies and American political thought. He also holds a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Van Hook is the founding director of 51����'s Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) program and previously served as an assistant director and associate professor in Torrey Honors College. Prior to joining 51����, he taught at the United States Air Force Academy for several years where he served as the American and Policy Studies Division Chief in the department of political science and the social sciences division lead for the Academy Scholars Program. His research and published work ranges from the statesmanship of Abraham Lincoln to politics and law in the novels of Harper Lee. Lt Col (ret) Van Hook’s diverse career also includes two decades of service as an active-duty officer and pilot in the United States Air Force including several hundred combat flying hours.