WKU Sociology & Criminology Alumni Profiles

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Farris Melton '17

Farris Melton graduated from Western Kentucky University in May 2017 with a double major in International Affairs and Criminology, and a minor in Political Science. While at WKU, she did an internship through the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky where she worked with Walter Connolly, a full time law clerk for Judge Brent Brennenstuhl. She also participated in study abroad, traveling to 5 countries in Central Europe and completeing a course in political science.

After graduating from WKU, Farris wanted to pursue a graduate degree but hadn’t decided what she wanted to study. She was interested in law school as an option, and decided to do an internship in the legal field to see if it would be something she could see herself doing as a career. She says, "I worked with the County Attorney’s office in my home county (Hopkins) and decided I did want to pursue becoming an attorney." She then started studying for the LSAT and applied for law schools for the following year, the gap year between WKU and beginning law school.

Currently, Farris is a Staff Attorney with the Kentucky Court of Justice. She works with Family Court Judge Brandi Rogers. They cover 3 counties — Webster, Crittenden, and Union. What she enjoys most about working there is the people that she works with. She really enjoys working for a female judge who is both a role model and mentor. She says, "I also just really enjoy working in family law because it’s a very interesting and unique area of the law and I think the work we do is very important. "

Her favorite memories in the Department of Sociology and Criminology are of the criminology faculty. Her favorite professors truly made her look forward to coming to class every day. She mentions that Dr. Trojan was hilarious and the material she taught was fascinating to her so she really enjoyed her classes, so much so that she took 3-4. She says, "Dr. Drummond was also an amazing professor as well as a mentor. It was her idea to place me in a law-related internship and without that, I may never have considered going to law school and I wouldn’t be where I am today." Farris also cherishes the memories she has of the late Dr. Bohlander. She mentions that he was a great professor and had the best sense of humor. Farris also took most of her criminology classes with her best friend, so getting to share those memories with her is another great way she remembers her time at WKU. 

Farris' advice for students wanting to become attorneys is to do at least one internship in the field before you commit to law school. Doing so will give you a feel for what the profession is really like and will give you a better idea about whether it’s something you really want to pursue. She advises that it’s also good to find a mentor or two to help guide you through law school and navigate the job market, especially if you don’t have family or friends that are attorneys, which was the case for her. "For me, the judge I worked for the summer after my first year of law school became my mentor, answering all kinds of questions that I had and even helping me to get my first job in the field. Those relationships and connections are invaluable. "