Hatcher received her undergraduate degrees in English, linguistics and political science from the University of Utah, before completing her Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in political science, focusing on public law and judicial behavior.

Dr. Hatcher’s teaching focuses on constitutional law, judicial behavior, administrative law and disaster studies. During her time at SEMO, Hatcher has served as the pre-law coordinator for her department over the last seven years, helping students navigate the law school application process and find careers in law adjacent positions. 

Dr. Hatcher’s initial interest in Southeast came during her research into disputes arising from the intentional flooding of farmland along the Mississippi during the 2012 flood.

“I remember telling my research assistant ‘I could work here full time!’” said Dr. Hatcher. “Two years later, I accepted an offer to do just that.”

Hatcher’s research focuses on civil liberties and disaster contexts. Her work has been published in several journals, and she has served on editorial boards for a variety of publications.

Hatcher currently serves on the Board of Directors of Renew Missouri and the Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation. She also spends her time bettering the community through her volunteer work with Old Town Cape and PORCH Initiative of Cape Girardeau.