FRANKFORT, Ky. — An eastern Kentucky college instructor was once jobless, addicted to cocaine and fighting to bring her daughter back from West Africa — now she holds one of the state’s highest positions.

Dr. Noelle Hunter was appointed executive director of Kentucky’s Office of Highway Safety by Gov. Matt Bevin last week and Monday marks the start of her first full week of work.

“I never would have imagined this. I never would have imagined where I am now,” Hunter said.

In November of 2007, Hunter was charged with wanton endangerment after she allegedly smoked crack cocaine in her car in front of her infant daughter, who tested positive for cocaine at a Kentucky hospital.

The charge was expunged after Hunter completed a drug treatment program. But she was forced to resign as professor of U.S. government at Morehead State University as she took the next steps toward recovery and gaining custody of her baby, Muna.

A judge later granted Hunter joint custody of the child with her former husband Ibrahim N’diaye. The couple divorced in 2011.

“Our marriage did not survive the addiction, or the recovery,” Hunter said. “And my husband did not agree with the custody order.”

Shortly after the divorce was complete, N’diaye fled with Muna to his homeland in Mali, West Africa. Hunter worked tirelessly to bring her daughter back to the U.S. She called elected officials and hired a Mali-based attorney, but securing her daughter’s return was a slow process.

Her options dwindling, Hunter contacted Kentucky’s senior senator. The office of Sen. Mitch McConnell wrote letters to the Mali government and worked with the State Department for several months.

Two-and-a-half years after the abduction, Hunter was reconnected with her daughter, who now lives with her in Kentucky.

By that time, Hunter had already returned to work at Morehead State briefly on the graduate level, educating students about chemical dependency counseling.

“I always knew I had a home at Morehead State, despite what was a public embarrassment for the university,” Hunter said. “Dr. (Wayne) Andrews always reaffirmed that.”

Hunter said the university president’s trust in her led to another employment opportunity with the school last year. She was hired as an instructor to teach developmental reading to undergraduates who scored too low on entrance tests.

“But I wasn’t just hired to help students improve their reading,” she said. “I believe the university rehired me because they knew I could model what it’s like to succeed, because of my larger story. I’m an example of how a community can believe in someone and how that belief can restore a person.”

Hunter believes Bevin saw that restoration.

“I interviewed with the governor, which was a highlight moment in my life,” she said. “I hope he believed in who I’ve become. I hope he also saw that I would be an effective public servant.”

Hunter, who has a doctorate in political science and previously worked in government in addition to teaching the subject on a college level, officially replaced former highway safety director Bill Bell last week.

As executive director, Hunter said she is “on a mission to keep Kentucky citizens safe on the roadways by helping them change their behaviors.”

“Whether it’s texting and driving or driving under the influence, distracted driving can wreak havoc,” said Hunter. “I’m excited for this opportunity to work to keep our citizens safe.”

Adkins writes for the Ashland, Kentucky Daily Independent.