Professor Stephen Hunt
Professor
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Selected Research
Current Courses
COM 297.001 Communication Research Methods
COM 297.003 Communication Research Methods
COM 299.014 Independent Honor Study
COM 287.014 Independent Study
COM 400.014 Independent Study
COM 324.001 Theory And Research In Persuasion
Teaching Interests & Areas
Argumentation and Debate, Communication Assessment, Communication Methodology and Pedagogy, Communication Needs of Students At-Risk, Communication Theory, Freedom of Speech, Instructional Communication, Persuasion, Political Communication, Public Speaking, Special and Diverse Populations
Research Interests & Areas
I have published articles on several topics including instructional communication, persuasion, and communication pedagogy. My major research interests include the pedagogy of civic and political engagement, critical thinking, communication skill assessment, and training/mentoring graduate students.
Ph D Communication
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
MA Communication
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
BFA Speech Communication
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS
Political Engagement Project Program of Excellence Award
The New York Times and American Association of State Colleges and Universities
2011
Teachers on Teaching
National Communication Association
2011
New York Times & AASCU Political Engagement Project Program of Excellence Award
New Yorks Times and American Association of State Colleges and Univdersities
2011
Outstanding Mentor Award
National Communication Association
2009
Team Excellence Award for Success 101
Illinois State University
2009
College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Service Award
Illinois State University
2008
Inaugural Program of Excellence Award
National Communication Association
2008
Voice of Conscience Award
Illinois State University
2008
Educating Illinois in Action Award
Illinois State University
2008
Faculty Leadership Award
School of Communication Graduate Student Association
2008
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Political Engagement Scholar
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
2007
Outstanding University Teaching Award (Category 1)
Illinois State University
2007
Stan and Sandy Rives Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award
Illinois State University
2007
The Pantagraph's 20 Under 40
The Pantagraph
2007
Dean's Award for Outstanding Teaching
Illinois State University
2006
ISU Carnegie Fellow for Political Engagement
2006
Outstanding New Teacher Award
Central States Communication Association
2002
University Teaching Initiative Award
Illinois State University
2001
Dissertation Research Award Fellowship
Southern Illinois University
1997
Debate Coach of the Year
University of Northern Iowa
1993
Grants and Contracts
Building partnerships to diversify the teacher education pipeline and facilitate civic and political learning to enhance the placement of teachers in high needs areas
Stephen K. Hunt, Lance R. Lippert, Barbara Meyer.
McCormick Foundation. January 2018
Supporting Illinois State’s American Democracy Project: Expanding the pedagogy and scholarship of engagement
Stephen Hunt, Lance Lippert.
McCormick Foundation. December 2011 - December 2013
Advancing the discipline: Expanding the role of communication in civic and political engagement through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL
Stephen Hunt, Joseph Zompetti, Jennifer McDade, Bryan Asbury, Griffin Hammond.
Cross Endowed Chair for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. August 2008
Diversity: Meeting the needs of all students
Stephen Hunt, Maureen Angell, Mary Ann Boyd, Penny Kolloff, Marilyn Moore, Lance Lippert.
Illinois Professional Learners' Partnership, U.S. Department of Education. September 2001
Assessing Curricular Coherence in the Department of Communication
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds, Arnold Wolfe.
Center for the Advancement of Teaching.
Mediated Immediacy: Text-based forms for teacher-student afficilation
Stephen Hunt, Lance Lippert, Patrick O'Sullivan.
Center for the Advancement of Teaching (Teaching-Learning Development Program).
Mediated immediacy: Teacher-student affiliation and distance education in contexts
Stephen Hunt, Patrick O'Sullivan, Lance Lippert, Susan Owens, Ann-Marie Rowe.
Center for the Advancement of Teaching (Teaching-Learning Development Program).
Portfolio Assessment: Using student portfolios to assess learning in COM110 (Language & Communication)
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds.
Cetner for the Advancement of Teaching (Teaching-Learning Development Program).
Student engagement: The use of reading objectives and participation sheets as effective tools to help motivate students and assess students' preparation for and particiation in COM110
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds, Allison Rattenborg.
Cross Endowed Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Small Grant Program.
Supporting the Integration of Political Engagement in COM110
Stephen Hunt.
Illinois State University's Office of the Provost.
Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant
Stephen Hunt, Brent Simonds, Maureen Angell, Lance Lippert, Paula Crowley.
Chicago Teacher Pipeline Program.
Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant
Stephen Hunt, Maureen Angell, Penny Kolloff, Marilyn Moore, Lance Lippert, Brent Simonds.
Illinois Professional Learners' Partnership.
Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant from the U.S. Department of Education
Stephen Hunt, Maureen Angell, Marilyn Moore, Lance Lippert, Brent Simonds.
Illinois Professional Learners' Partnership.
Teaching and Learning Development Grant
Stephen Hunt, Lance Lippert.
Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology.
Using student portfolios as authentic assessment of COM110
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds, Lisa Jannike-Hinchliffe.
Illinois State University's Office of Undergraduate Studies.
Video Production on Facilitating Instructional Discussion
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds, Brent Simonds.
Prentice Hall Publishing Company.
Video Production on "Using Presentation Aids"
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds, Brent Simonds.
Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company.
Book, Authored
An Ethnographic Study of the Role of Humor in Health Care Transactions
Lance Lippert, Stephen Hunt.
(2005), Mellen
Book, Chapter
Differentiation versus denial: Impact of messaging about player transactions on team reputation, ticket sales, and sports channel subscriptions.
Joseph Blaney, Stephen Hunt.
(2025), Media and crisis communication., Routledge
Promoting democracy: Civic education in an era of antidemocratic unrest
Kevin R Meyer, Stephen K Hunt.
(2025), chapter in a book, Lexington
Silence as political engagement: Student-led silent protests advocating for LGBTQ+ youth
Kevin R Meyer, Stephen K Hunt.
(2025), chapter in a book, Lexington
Persuasive public speaking: Considerations for a post-truth era
Joshua Fitzgerald, Kevin R Meyer, Stephen K Hunt.
(2024), 154-164, chapter in a book, Routledge
Teaching persuasion
Kevin R Meyer, Stephen K. Hunt.
(2024), Cognella
A roadmap to career success: Pursuing careers outside of the academy for MA graduates
Stephen Hunt, Aimee Miller-Ott, Viraj Patel.
(2022), By Degrees: Resilience, Relationships, and Success in Communication Graduate Studies, Cognella
Forging guided pathways for civic and political engagement: Developing a partnership to provide civic opportunities for students that span their enrollment at two- and four-year institutions.
Sarah J. Diel-Hunt, Stephen K. Hunt.
(2020), 47-55, Community colleges for democracy: Aligning civic and community engagement with institutional priorities, Campus Compact
Service learning and innovative pedagogies
Stephen K. Hunt, Chad E. Woolard.
(2016), Yes
The right to peaceable assembly and social movements: The role of “occupying” space as a way to speak
Joseph Zompetti, Maria A Moore, Peter Smudde, Stephen Hunt.
(2013), 237-256, First Amendment Rights: An Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, LLC
Introduction to Communication Research
John Hooker, Stephen Hunt.
(2011), 151-156, Professional Development Guide: Academic and Career Strategies for Communication Students, Illinois State University
Curricular Activities for Political Engagement
Stephen Hunt.
(2010), 46-62, Educating Students for Political Engagement: A Guide to Implementation and Assessment for Colleges and Universities, American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Communicating for Civic and Political Engagement
Stephen Hunt.
(2008), 58-62, Professional Portfolio Development Guide: Academic and Career Portfolios for Communication Students, Mellen
Incorporating Critical Thinking Instructional Strategies in the Basic Communication Course
J P Mazer, Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds.
(2007), 81-90, Basic Communication Course Best Practices: A Training Manual for Instructors, Kendall/Hunt
Partnership Power: Developing Preservice and Inservice Modules on Reaching and Teaching Diverse Learners
M E Angell, M A Boyd, Stephen Hunt, Lance Lippert, M K Moore, P B Kolloff.
(2004), 434-450, Transforming Teacher Education Through Partnerships, Mellen
Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Jeffrey L Courtright, C W Cutbirth, Stephen Hunt.
(2003), Communication Theories for Everyday Life, Allyn & Bacon
Theories in Persuasion
Stephen Hunt.
(2003), Communication Theories for Everyday Life, Allyn & Bacon
What Students Really Cite: Findings From a Content Analysis of First-Year Student Biographies
L J Hinchliffe, C Kubiak, Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds.
(2002), 69-74, Integrating Information Literacy into the College Experience, Pierian Press
Using Student Portfolios as Authentic Assessment of the Basic Communication Course
Cheri Simonds, Stephen Hunt.
(1999), 241-250, Teaching Ideas for the Basic Communication Course, Kendall/Hunt
Creative Works/Broadcast Media
Election night live: An extending empathy project event
Scott Jordan, Byron Craig, Steve Rahko, Nathan Carpenter, Stephen Hunt.
(2022)
Journal Article
Considering AI for the classroom to boost civic learning and democratic engagement
Joseph Zompetti, Lance Lippert, Stephen K Hunt.
eJournal of Public Affairs, 12 (1), (2024)
Healing the disciplinary divide between communication and English to secure the future of communication education: A response to forum essays
Cheri J. Simonds, Stephen K. Hunt.
Communication Education, 71 (3), 262-266, (2022), https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2022.2069832
Promoting critical reasoning: Civic engagement in an era of divisive politics and civil unrest
Kevin R. Meyer, Nathan J. Carpenter, Steve K. Hunt.
eJournal of Public Affair, 11 (1), 90-104, (2022)
COVID-19 internet responses from the state broadcast associations: Community, industry, and extent of spread
Joseph Blaney, Stephen Hunt.
Journal of Radio & Audio Media, 1-14, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2020.1870466
Making the case for a pedagogy of civic engagement, antiextremism, and antiracism: A response to forum essays
Steve K Hunt, Kevin R Meyer.
Communication Education, 70 (4), 451-457, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2021.1958239
Incorporating political engagement in general education: An examination of the effects of participation in a political research action project on students’ perceived relevance, efficacy, political understanding, and political engagement skills.
Chad Everett Woolard, Steve K. Hunt.
Journal of General Education, 68 (1-2), 54-74, (2020), 10.5325/jgeneeduc.68.1-2.0054
Engaging persuasion: What should undergraduate students enrolled in a persuasion course learn?
Stephen K Hunt, Kevin R Meyer.
Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 2, 12-16, (2019), 10.31446/JCP.2019.04
Assessing evaluation fidelity between students and instructors in the basic communication course: The impact of criterion-based speech evaluation training
Terrell K. Frey, Cheri J. Simonds, John F. Hooker, Kevin R. Meyer, Stephen K. Hunt.
Basic Communication Course Annual, 30, 2-31, (2018)
A generational examination of instructional Facebook use and the effects on perceived instructor immediacy, credibility and student affective learning
Aaron Enskat, Stephen Hunt, John Hooker.
Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 26 (5), 545-557, (2017)
Implementing the political engagement project in an introductory communication course: An examination of the effects on students’ political knowledge, efficacy, skills, behavior, and ideology
Steve Hunt, Kevin Meyer, John Hooker, Cheri Simonds, Lance Lippert.
eJournal of Public Affairs, 5 (2), 116-151, (2016), 10.21768/ejopa.v5i2.111
The internal marginalization of basic course scholarship
Cheri J. Simonds, Stephen K. Hunt.
Basic Communication Course Annual, 28, 1-10, (2016)
Securing the future of communication education: Advancing an advocacy and research agenda for the 21st century
Stephen Hunt, Anna Wright, Cheri Simonds.
Communication Education, 64, 449-461, (2014)
Assessing evaluation fidelity: An examination of student comments and scores on speech self-evaluation forms in a general education communication course
Joseph P. Mazer, Cheri Simonds, Stephen Hunt.
Ohio Communication Journal, 51, 1-28, (2013)
Application essays as an effective tool for assessing instruction in the basic communication course: A follow-up study
Joseph P. Mazer, Stephen Hunt.
Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12, 12-42, (2012)
Tracking plagiarism electronically: First-year students’ perceptions of academic dishonesty and reports of cheating behaviour in the basic communication course
Joseph P. Mazer, Stephen Hunt.
International Journal for Educational Integrity, (8), 57-68, (2012)
Rethinking evaluation strategies for student participation.
Kevin R Meyer, Stephen Hunt.
Basic Communication Course Annual, 23, 93-126, (2011)
Assessing preemptive argumentation in students’ persuasive speech outlines.
Kevin R Meyer, Kurtz R. R., Hines J. L., Cheri Simonds, Stephen Hunt.
Basic Communication Course Annual, 22, 6-38, (2010)
Uniquely qualified, distinctively competent: Delivering 21st century skills in the basic course.
Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds, Brent Simonds.
Basic Communication Course Annual, 21, 1-29, (2009)
Communication and diversity: Innovation in teacher education
Brent Simonds, Lance Lippert, Stephen Hunt, M E Angell, M K Moore.
Communication Teacher, 22, 56-65, (2008)
Cool Communication in the Classroom: A Preliminary Examination of Student Perceptions of Instructor Use of Positive Slang
J P Mazer, Stephen Hunt.
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 9, 20-28, (2008)
Revising General Education: Assessing a Critical Thinking Instructional Model in the Basic Communication Course
J P Mazer, Stephen Hunt, J H Kuznekoff.
Journal of General Education, 56, 173-199, (2008)
The Effects of Instructor Use of Positive and Negative Slang on Student Motivation, Affective Learning, and Classroom Climate
J P Mazer, Stephen Hunt.
Communication Research Reports, 25, 1-12, (2008)
Communication Education and Research Around the Globe
Stephen Hunt.
The Review of Communication, 7, 77-81, (2007)
Learning communities in the basic communication course: Exploring students' perception of power and the use of compliance-gaining strategies
N J Kussart, Stephen Hunt, Cheri Simonds.
Basic Communication Course Annual, 19, 72-103, (2007)
The Political Engagement Project at Illinois State University
Stephen Hunt.
Progressive Measures, 3, 6, (2007)
Other
The divide: QAnon part two
Scott Jordan, Byron Craig, Steve Rhako, Nathan Carpenter, Stephen Hunt.
(2022)
The Divide: THEM Part One
J Scott Jordan, Byron Craig, Steve Rhako, Nathan Carpenter, Steve Hunt.
Dark Loops Podcast, (2021)
The Divide: THEM Part Two
J Scott Scott Jordan, Byron Craig, Steve Rhako, Nathan Carpenter, Stephen Hunt.
Dark Loops Podcast, (2021)
The divide: QAnon part one
Scott Jordan, Byron Craig, Steve Rhako, Nathan Carpenter, Stephen Hunt.
(2021)
Communication as Critical Inquiry Student Workbook
Cheri Simonds, Stephen Hunt.
Stipes, (2011)
Instructor's Manual and Test Bank with Teacher Training for Public Speaking: Prepare, Present, Participate
A N Rattenborg, Cheri Simonds, Stephen Hunt.
Allyn & Bacon, (2010)
Communication as Critical Inquiry Student Workbook
Cheri Simonds, Stephen Hunt.
Stipes, (1998)
Textbook, Revised
Communication as critical inquiry
Cheri J. Simonds, Stephen K. Hunt, Brent K. Simonds.
(2017), Fountainhead Press
Presentations
Image repair differences between human and AI-generated messaging: The case of the Chicago White Sox
Kevin R Meyer, Joseph Blaney, Stephen Hunt, Lance Lippert, K. Megan Hopper, Roy David Magnuson.
Annual Convention of the Broadcast Education Association, Las Vegas, NV, April, 2025
Preparing for what is next: Teaching, applications, and promotion documents
Stephen Hunt.
Central States Communication Association Convention, Cincinnati, OH, April, 2025
Widening the scope of communication theory: Teaching the undergraduate communication theory course to advance the common good
Stephen Hunt, Kevin R Meyer.
Central States Communication Association Convention, Cincinnati, OH, April, 2025
Incoherence in a post-truth world: Implications for teaching persuasion, research methods, and communication theory
Stephen K Hunt, Kevin R Meyer.
Central States Communication Association Convention, Grand Rapids, MI, April, 2024
Facilitating students’ expression of freedom and motivation for civic engagement
Stephen K. Hunt.
National Communication Association, Washington, DC, November, 2023
Recognizing and encouraging excellence: Administrator role and strategies for awards for faculty, students, and staff
Eroc Aoki, Dawn O. Braithwaite, Rockell Brown, Stephen K. Hunt.
National Communication Association, Washington, DC, November, 2023
Communicating for the Future: Tales and Triumphs from Graduate School Students
Josh Fitzgerald, Cassie Wingert, Carla Huffman, Stephen K. Hunt.
Communication: The Heart of it All, Normal, IL, September, 2023
Extending empathy and trust: Who to let in, who to keep out?
Stephen K. Hunt, J Scott Scott Jordan, Byron Craig, Steve Rahko.
Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement, Boston, MA, May 31, 2023
William J. Seiler: Remembering and celebrating his life and legacy
Stephen Hunt.
Central States Communication Association, St. Louis, MO, March 30, 2023
Advocacy for the common good: Examining engaged persuasion in a post-truth world
Stephen Hunt, Kevin R Meyer.
Central States Communication Association Convention, St. Louis, MO, March 30, 2023
Differentiation versus denial: Impact of messaging about player transactions on team reputation, ticket sales, and sports channel subscriptions
Joseph R. Blaney, Stephen K. Hunt.
Broadcast Education Association Convention, Las Vegas, NV, April, 2022
Experimental effects of instructor aesthetics in the zoom classroom: Online learning climate and student engagement
Kody Frey, Samantha J. Shebib, Ben Lynn, Kevin R. Meyer, Stephen Hunt.
Central States Communication Association Conference, Madison, WI, April, 2022
Re-connecting with alumni: Exploring the relationship between communication departments and alumni in their personal and professional lives
Shannon C. VanHorn, A. Wendt, Stephen K. Hunt, Randy K. Dillon.
Central States Communication Association Convention, Madison, WI, April, 2022
State of Illinois spotlight: Well-Being: Taking care of community
Lindsey Thomas, Byron Craig, Kathleen Craven, Stephen Hunt.
Central States Communication Association Convention, Madison, WI, April, 2022
Educating students for democracy: A practical guide for integrating civic engagement into the community college curriculum and developing a guided pathway for transfer
Sarah J. Diel-Hunt, Stephen K. Hunt, Lori Moog, Emilie S.
Compact22, Online, March, 2022
Administering and teaching communication past three milestones: Pre- and post-internet, smart tech, and COVID-19
Lee Krahenbul, Dawn O. Braithwaite, M. Byerly, Stephen Hunt, Christina L McDowell Marinchak, Helen Sterk, Sarah Stone Watt.
National Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA, November, 2021
Renewal and transformation: Examining engaged persuasion in a post-truth world
Stephen Hunt, Kevin R. Meyer.
National Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA, November, 2021
Well-being: Taking care of the community in-person
Lindsey Thomas, Nathan Carpenter, Byron Craig, Kathleen Craven, Lee Anne Hale, Stephen K Hunt.
Illinois Communication & Theatre Association, East Peoria, IL, September 25, 2021
How to go from a civically scripted campus to a civically minded campus
Dakota Horn, Lance R Lippert, Stephen K Hunt.
Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement, Online, June 11, 2021
“Teaching ain’t what it used to be:” Inspiring innovations.
Carolyn Calloway-Thomas, Linda Dickmeyer, Stephen K Hunt, Donna R. Pawlowski, Roberta Davilla Robbins.
Central States Communication Association Convention, Online, April, 2021
COVID-19 Internet responses from the state broadcast associations: Community, industry, and extent of spread
Joseph Blaney, Stephen Hunt.
Broadcast Education Association, Atlanta, GA, October, 2020
Civic engagement, civic learning: Leading examples from the field
Vicki Golich, Kristin Norris, Stephen Hunt.
Higher Learning Commission, Chicago, IL, September, 2020
Who watches the Watchmen?: Utilizing Twitter as a cultural space for collectively writing history
J Scott Scott Jordan, Nathan Carpenter, Byron Craig, Stephen Hunt.
WaynePop2020, Detroit, MI, September, 2020
Exploring internationalizing the basic course: Crossing borders and making breakthroughs
Cheri Simonds, John Hooker, Stephen Hunt, Divine Narkotey Aboagye, Joseph Mazer, Angela Hosek, Grace Oforiwa Skapokoo, Iman Ikram, Aayushi Hingle, Adebayo Loveth Adebayo.
Borders & Breakthroughs, Chicago, IL, April, 2020
Incorporating political engagement in the basic course: An examination of the effects of participation in a political research action project on students’ perceived relevance, efficacy, political understanding, and political engagement
Chad Everett Woolard, Stephen Hunt.
Borders & Breakthroughs, Chicago, IL, April, 2020