[3] From 1986-1987, he served as a special assistant in the Office of Legal Counsel at the United States Department of Justice.

[3] From 1992-1995, Hickok was elected to and served as a member of the Carlisle Area School District Board of Directors.

[5] President George W. Bush nominated Hickok as Under Secretary of Education on March 30, 2001 and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 10, 2001.

In 2007, he agreed to pay a $50,000 civil settlement relating to a conflict-of-interest matter concerning stock he owned while Deputy Secretary of Education.

[8] In July 2005, Hickok was hired by Washington, DC–based government affairs firm Dutko Worldwide to head their education practice.