He earned a B.A. in Communication Arts from Ball State University, and M.A. in Educational Studies from the College of Mount St. Joseph and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati in 2010. Before transitioning into higher education, Dr. Hooker was a middle school communications/public speaking teacher, a high school language arts teacher, and a K-8 elementary school principal in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, he worked for the Indiana Department of Education as a Curriculum and Staff Development Specialist for seven county school systems in southeastern Indiana.