Education

• 2005 Ph.D. Sociology, Kent State University
• 2000 M.A. Sociology, Kent State University
• 1997 B.A. Psychology, Kent State University

Areas of Interest

• Justice Involved Women and Girls
• Violence in Intimate and Family Relationships
• Research Methods
• Social Psychology of Trauma

Courses Taught

• Social Problems
• Social Psychology
• Family Violence
• Identity Work in Women’s Reentry Experience
• Women in the Criminal Justice System
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Graduate Seminar: Research Methods

Academic Biography

Dr. Hunter has been with the Sociology and Corrections Department since 2005. She is a member of the Sociology Program, but some of her research and teaching overlaps with that of corrections scholars. Her research uses social psychological theories of identity development to examine the experiences of women transitioning from prison into communities. Among other courses, she offers an “Inside-Out” course (SOC 420/520) taught at the women’s prison which combines students from Minnesota State Mankato and incarcerated students in weekly class meetings. She also sits on the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) Advisory Task Force on Justice Involved Women and Girls, the DOC’s Task Force on Transgender Individuals, and Minnesota State Mankato’s Institutional Review Board.