LANSING — Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura Corrigan Wednesday announced the appointment of Sarah Mathews to the Cass County DHS Board.

Mathews, a lifelong resident of Dowagiac, is a practicing attorney specializing in criminal and family law matters, and an instructor at Southwestern Michigan College.

Mathews graduated as co-valedictorian from Dowagiac Union High School in 2000, received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Hope College in 2004 and her juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2007.

Mathews has a distinguished career in both law and public policy, interning for Congressman Rob Andrews, D-N.J., the Michigan Attorney General’s office and Michigan Supreme Court JusticeStephen Markman. As a new attorney, Mathews also clerked for Cass County Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge.

“I am greatly humbled and honored to have been selected for this post with DHS,” said Mathews, when informed of her appointment. “I am looking forward to being able to use my time and skills to serve all residents of Cass County.”

Mathews is married to Southwestern Michigan College President David Mathews and has three children. She is also president of the Inspiration Scholarship Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of Hope’s Door. In her spare time, Mathews enjoys writing plays and seeing them performed by local nonprofit groups.

The Cass County DHS Board is a member of the Michigan County Social Services Association (MCSSA), which, as mandated by Public Act 280 of 1939, appoints an advisory committee to advise the director of the State Department of Human Services. The County Board is required to have monthly meetings and to be involved with the district and state committees of MCSSA.