Education
2000
Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Communication Studies
Dissertation: (Not so) Devine Comedy: A content analysis of humorous political ads
1995
M.A.
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
1992
B.A.
Augustana College,
Sioux Falls, SD
Communication Studies
Mass Communication
Professional Experience
May 2020- present
2015- 2020
2009- 2015
2009- 2015
Professor of Communication Studies, South Dakota State University
Associate Professor of Communication Studies, South Dakota State University
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, South Dakota State University
Assistant Professor of Communication, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD
Honors, Recognitions, and Outstanding Achievements
Distinguished Service Award, Speech Communication Association of South Dakota, 2022
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Sewrey Lecture, “Cultivating controversial conversations,” Competitively chosen presentation for the Teaching and Learning selection of the annual Sewrey Colloquium, South Dakota State University Faculty Celebration of Excellence, 2020
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Expanding the Circle Grant, Awarded for designing and providing higher education opportunities for faculty members at Tribal Colleges and Universities, South Dakota State University, 2018, 2019
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Joyce Lampson Award for Excellence in Faculty Citizenship, SDSU Communication Studies Dept., 2017, 2022
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Douglas M. Trank Top Paper of the Year Award
Basic Course Division, Central States Communication Association, 2016
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Top Four Paper, Basic Course Division
National Communication Association, 2014, 2016
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Editor, Outstanding State Journal of the Year
Central States Communication Association, 2014
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Top Journal Article of the Year, Communication Apprehension and Competence Division
National Communication Association, 2014
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Top Four Paper, Communication Apprehension and Competence Division
National Communication Association, 2014
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Top States’ Advisory Showcase Panel
Central States Communication Association, 2014
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SDSU Instructional Design and Technology Master Level Certification in Online Teaching, Fall 2013
(Advanced Level, Summer 2012; Basic Level, Fall 2011)
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Top Three Paper, Basic Course Division
Central States Communication Association, 2012, 2013 and 2014
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South Dakota State University Daschle Research Fellow, Fall 2011
Select Recent and Relevant Publications/Presentations
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Hunter, K. M., Lionberger, E., Phillips, A., Luebbert, K., & Briggs, A. N. (2022). Listen up!: Measuring and mitigating college students’ most commonly-reported listening challenges. Discourse: The Journal of the SCASD, 7, Article 2. https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/discoursejournal/vol7/iss1/2
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Carlile, A. C., Westwick, J. N., Chromey, K. J., & Hunter. (2022). A shakedown of warm-ups: An assessment of pre-speech exercises’ impact on public speaking anxiety. Speaker & Gavel.
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Hunter, K. M., Westwick, J. N., & Chromey, K. J. (2020). Best practices for teaching online courses with dually enrolled students. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 31, 61-83.
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Hunter, K. M., & Westwick, J. N. (2020). “I see your True Colors:” Mitigating grouphate by exploring personality differences. Communication Teacher, 34, 19-23.
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Ruiz-Mesa, K. & Hunter, K. M. (2019). Best practices for leading difficult discussions in the basic communication course classroom. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 2, 134-141.
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Westwick, J. N., Hunter, K. M., & Kleinjan, B. (2019). Anxiety and communication competence in the honors basic public speaking course: An intervention and formative assessment. Basic Communication Course Annual, 31, Article 9.
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Broeckelman-Post, M. A., Hunter, K. M., Westwick, J. N., Hosek, A., Ruiz-Mesa, K., Hooker, J., & Anderson, L. B. (2019). Measuring essential learning outcomes for public speaking. Basic Communication Course Annual, 31, Article 10.
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Westwick, J. N., Hunter, K. M., & Chromey, K. J. (2018). Assessing markers of student development for dually and non-dually enrolled students in an online basic public speaking course. Basic Communication Course Annual, 30, 76-108.
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Textbook
Hunter, K. (2021). Interpersonal development: 21st Century skills for the real and virtual world. Kendall Hunt.
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Select, Recent Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations
Hunter, K. M. (co-chair), Jensen, A. (co-chair), Glaus, C. (undergraduate student), Hammer, L. (undergraduate student), Hunter, S. L. (undergraduate student), Janis, M. (undergraduate student), Kelso, D. (undergraduate student), & Olinger, W. (undergraduate student). (2022, November 18). Place, place, and PLACE: Indigenous undergraduate students’ performative explorations of their connections among Indigeneity, belonging, and resilience. [Performance panel]. National Communication Assoc., New Orleans, LA.
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Durkin, L. (co-chair; graduated Master’s advisee), Hunter, K. M. (co-chair), Berndt, V. (graduate student), Catlett-Ausorn, M., Glaus, C. (undergraduate student), Hammer, L. (undergraduate student), Moore, E., & Okroi, S. (2021, November). A transformational journey toward Indigenizing community-based participatory scholarship.[Pre-conference workshop]. National Communication Assoc., Seattle, WA.
Hunter, K., (with others). (2021, March). Health communication and social justice [Conference panel]. Central States Communication Assoc., online.
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Prentiss, S. (co-chair), Hunter, K. M. (co-chair), Atkinson, J. A., Cuny, K. M., Davidson, M., Dwyer, K. K., & Hernandez, L. (2019, Nov.). Surviving and Thriving Teaching Communication Online. [Pre-conference workshop]. National Communication Assoc., Baltimore, MD.
Bedner, N., Hunter, K. M., & Ruiz-Mesa, K. (2018, Nov.). Play Civilly: Creative and Innovative Actions for Engaging in Civil Discourse in the Basic Course. [Short course]. National Communication Assoc., Salt Lake City, UT.
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Hunter, K. M. (2018, Oct.). Strengthening Representation of Neurodivergent Voices through Children’s Literature.[Panel presentation]. Milton Writers’ Conference, Vermillion, SD.
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Hunter, K. M., Kleinjan, B., & Westwick, J. N. (2018, Sept.). Kiss my assessment: Development of a Programmatic Level Assessment Plan. [Conference workshop]. Speech Communication Assoc. of SD, Huron, SD.
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Westwick, J. N., Kleinjan, B., & Hunter, K. M. (2018, Sept.). Grappling with Glossophobia: A Proven Intervention for Reducing Honors students’ public speaking anxiety. [Conference workshop]. Speech Communication Assoc. of SD, Huron, SD.
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Hunter, K. M., Westwick, J. N. (2017, April 14). A Proven Public Speaking Course Design to Help Reduce Public Speaking Anxiety. [Symposium presentation]. Pedagogics and Psychology in the Integrated Area of Research and Practice, Mendeleev Tobolsk Pedagogical Institute, Tyumen State University, Tobolsk, Russia.
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Grants
Hunter, K. M. “Harnessing Hope: Decolonizing Research on Native American Students’ College Persistence,” Wokini Challenge Grant, Wokini Initiative, SDSU, $6600.00. Fully Funded. (2020-2023).
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Hunter, K. M. “Harnessing Hope: Decolonizing Research on Native American Students’ College Persistence,” Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society, Private Foundation, International Scope, $9960.00. Fully Funded. (2019-2020).
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Hunter, K. M. (with national, multi-institutional assessment research team). "A National-level Assessment of Core Competencies in the Basic Communication Course," National Communication Association, Federal, $5,000.00. Funded. (2016 - 2017).
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Select Invited Lectures and Seminars (of 50+ invited lectures)
Hunter, K.M. (2022). Overcoming public speaking anxiety. Invited 3-day seminar, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
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Hunter, K.M. (2022). Down the rabbit hole: Navigating the hidden curriculum of graduate school. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training, South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism.
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Hunter, K.M. (2020). Designing effective online discussions. Faculty Online Certification Trainer, South Dakota State University Instructional Design Services.
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Hunter, K.M. (2020). Cultivating controversial conversations. Competitively chosen presentation for the Teaching and Learning selection of the annual Sewrey Colloquium, South Dakota State University Faculty Celebration of Excellence.
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Hunter, K.M. (2019). Facilitating difficult classroom dialogues. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training, South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism.
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Hunter, K.M. (2019). Optimal Connection Speed: Enhancing Online Instructor Immediacy. Faculty Online Certification Trainer, South Dakota State University Instructional Design Services.
Service Commitments (Recent Examples)
South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism:
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Advisor for the South Dakota State University chapter of Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society
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Assessment Committee (Chair), multiple search committees (2 as chair)
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Diversity and Inclusion Committee
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences/University:
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Tenure & Promotion Committee (2020-present; 3-year term; Chair 2021-2022)
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Teaching Fellow, Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning (2022-present; 3-year term)
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Faculty Council Member (2022-present)
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Assessment Sub-Committee of Academic Affairs Committee, College Representative (2018-2022)
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Steering Committee for Quality Assurance, Higher Learning Commission Reaccreditation (2015-2020)
Brookings Community and State-level:
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Founding Editor of Discourse: The Journal of the SCASD, state journal for the Speech Communication Association of South Dakota (2013-15), premier volume awarded Outstanding State Journal of the Year, Central States Communication Association (2015)
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State Executive Committee, Speech Communication Association of South Dakota (2013-15)
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South Dakota Humanities Council Scholar (2016-2019)
Regional/National-level:
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National Advisory Board Member for Lambda Pi Eta Communication Studies Honors Association (2018-2020)
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Nominating Committee (Chair), National Communication Association Basic Course Division (2017-18; 2013-14)
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Chair, Central States Communication Association Basic Course Division (2016-17)
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Member of national, multi-institutional team for assessment of the Basic Communication Course