Jeff Hunter

Jeff Hunter, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at New Mexico State University, where he bridges political communication research with rural community engagement. His work leverages 15 years of professional strategic communication experience in healthcare, finance, and politics to address real-world challenges in underserved communities.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. and M.A. in Media and Communication from Texas Tech University
• B.A. in Communication from Harding University

Hunter's research centers on political communication dynamics in rural America, with emphasis on narrative engagement, political fandom, and the psychological pathways to political violence. Drawing from his upbringing in an agricultural community, he develops interdisciplinary frameworks to improve communication resources for rural populations while examining digital platforms' impact on political behavior.

Publication analysis reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) TikTok's role in amplifying political aggression among youth, (2) narrative mechanisms connecting political engagement to community well-being in rural contexts, and (3) pandemic-era adaptations in political campaigning. His work consistently applies narrative theory to explain how perceived threats and villain narratives fuel political violence.

In teaching, Hunter implements experiential learning models for strategic communication, incorporating his consultancy background with major media firms and non-profits to prepare students for real-world communication challenges.