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Professor Stephen Hunt

Professor
School of Communication
Office
FEL Fell Hall 434
  • About
  • Education
  • Awards & Honors
  • Research

Current Courses

297.001Communication Research Methods

297.003Communication Research Methods

287.014Independent Study

400.014Independent Study

324.001Theory And Research In Persuasion

111.005Introduction To Communication Theories

111.007Introduction To Communication Theories

424.001Seminar 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

Book, Authored

Lippert, L., & Hunt, S. An Ethnographic Study of the Role of Humor in Health Care Transactions. Mellen (2005)

Book, Chapter

Meyer, K. R., & Hunt, S. K. (2025). Teaching persuasion. In J. P. Mazer (Ed.), Teaching communication: Volume II: Communication studies (pp. 272-288). Cognella.

Hunt, S. K., Miller-Ott, A., E., & Patel, V. (2022). A roadmap to career success: Pursuing careers outside of the academy for MA graduates. In B. Bach, D. O. Braithwaite, & S. Ganesh (Eds.), By Degrees: Resilience, Relationships, and Success in Communication Graduate Studies. Cognella

Diel-Hunt, S. J., & Hunt, S. K. (2020). 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. In V. L. Robinson & C. A. Hurd (Eds.), Community colleges for democracy: Aligning civic and community engagement with institutional priorities (pp. 47-55). Boston, MA: Campus Compact.

Hunt, S. K., and Woolard, C. E. (2016). Service learning and innovative pedagogies. In P. L. Witt (Ed.), Handbooks of Communication Science: Vol. 16. Communication and Learning (pp. 527-552). Berlin, Germany: DeGruyter Mouton.
Zompetti, J., Moore, M., Smudde, P., & Hunt, S. The right to peaceable assembly and social movements: The role of “occupying” space as a way to speak. Nancy S. Lind & Erik T. Rankin (EDs), First Amendment Rights: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, LLC (2013): 237-256.

Creative Works/Broadcast Media

Jordan, J. S., Craig, B., Rahko, S., Carpenter, N. J., & Hunt, S. K. (2022, November 8). Election night live: An extending empathy project event [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8HSvueO9w8&t=9258s

Journal Article

Meyer, K. R., Carpenter, N. J., & Hunt, S. K. (2022). Promoting critical reasoning: Civic engagement in an era of divisive politics and civil unrest. eJournal of Public Affairs, 11(1), 90-104.

Simonds, C. J., & Hunt, S. K. (2022). Healing the disciplinary divide between communication and English to secure the future of communication education: A response to forum essays. Communication Education, 71(3), 262-266. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2022.2069832

Blaney, J. R., & Hunt, S. K. (2021). Internet responses from the state broadcast associations: Community, industry, and extent of spread. Journal of Radio & Audio Media. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2020.1870466 

Hunt, S. K., & Meyer, K. R. (2021). Making the case for a pedagogy of civic engagement, antiextremism, and antiracism: A response to forum essays. Communication Education, 70(4), 451-457. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2021.1958239  

Woolard, C., & Hunt, S. K. (2019). 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. Journal of General Education, 68, 54-74. doi:10.5325/jgeneeduc.68.1-2.0054

Textbook, New

Hunt, S. K., & Meyer, K. R. (2022). Engaged persuasion in a post-truth world. Cognella.

Simonds, C., Hunt, S., & Simonds, B. Public Speaking: Prepare, Present, and Participate. Allyn & Bacon (2010)
Allen, M., Titsworth, S., & Hunt, S. Quantitative Research in Communication. Sage Publications (2008)
Simonds, C., Hunt, S., & Simonds, B. Communication as Critical Inquiry: Becoming Critical Producers and Consumers of Messages. Pearson Custom Publishing (2008)

Textbook, Revised

Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Simonds, B. K. (2017). Communication as critical inquiry. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead Press.

Presentations

Aoki, E., Braithwaite, D. O., Brown, R. A., & Hunt, S. K. (2023, November). Recognizing and encouraging excellence: Administrator role and strategies for awards for faculty, students, and staff. Presented at the Annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Washington, DC.

Fitzgerald, J., Wingart, C., Huffman, C., & Hunt, S. K. (2023, September). Communicating for the Future: Tales and Triumphs from Graduate School Students. Panel Presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association, Normal, IL.

Hunt, S. K. (2023, November). Facilitating students’ expression of freedom and motivation for civic engagement. Presented at the Annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Washington, DC.

Hunt, S. K., & Meyer, K. R. (2023, March). Advocacy for the common good: Examining engaged persuasion in a post-truth world. Short course presented at the annual meeting of the Central States Communication Association, St. Louis, MO.

Hunt, S. K., & others. (2023, March). William J. Seiler: Remembering and celebrating his life and legacy. Panel presented at the annual meeting of the Central States Communication Association, St. Louis, MO.

Hunt, S.K., Jordan, J. S., Craig, B., Rahko, S. (2023, May). Extending empathy and trust: Who to let in, who to keep out? Presented at the Civic Leaning and Democratic (CLDE) conference, Boston, MA.   

Blaney, J. R., & Hunt, S. K. (2022, April). Differentiation versus denial: Impact of messaging about player transactions on team reputation, ticket sales, and sports channel subscriptions. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Broadcast Education Association, Las Vegas, NV.

Diel-Hunt, S. J., Hunt, S. K., Moog, L., & Stander, E. (2022, March). Educating students for democracy: A practical guide for integrating civic engagement into the community college curriculum and developing a guided pathway for transfer. Presented at the annual meeting of Campus Compact (virtual). https://events.compact.org/compact22/program#schedule

Frey, T. K., Shebib, S. J., Lynn, B., Meyer, K. R., & Hunt, S. K. (2022, April). Experimental effects of instructor aesthetics in the zoom classroom: Online learning climate and student engagement. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Central States Communication Association, Madison, WI. (Top 3 Paper, Communication Education Interest Group)

Thomas, L., Carpenter, N. J., Craig, B., Craven, K., & Hunt, S. K. (2022, April). State of Illinois spotlight: Well-Being: Taking care of community. Panel presented at the annual meeting of the Central States Communication Association, Madison, WI.

Grants & 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. McCormick Foundation. Private. (2018)
Supporting Illinois State’s American Democracy Project: Expanding the pedagogy and scholarship of engagement. McCormick Foundation. Private. (2011)
Advancing the discipline: Expanding the role of communication in civic and political engagement through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL. Cross Endowed Chair for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Illinois State University. (2008)
Diversity: Meeting the needs of all students. Illinois Professional Learners' Partnership, U.S. Department of Education. Federal. (2001)
Assessing Curricular Coherence in the Department of Communication. Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Illinois State University.