Joe Hicks II

Joe Hicks II serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Education at Montana State University's College of Education, Health & Human Development, with affiliations at the Center for Research on Rural Education. His work focuses on critical rural education challenges including teacher shortages and student retention.

Education:

• B.S. Secondary Education-Social Studies Broadfield, Montana State University (2004)
• M.P.A. Public Administration, University of Wyoming (2009)
• Ed.D. Adult and Higher Education, Montana State University (2021)

Dr. Hicks' research program addresses rural education through multiple lenses: retention strategies for nonresident and first-generation undergraduates, generational cohort analysis in higher education, and charter school impacts on public systems. His work directly informs Montana's educational policy through technology-integrated solutions like digital community walks.

His recent publications (2019-2022) reveal a cohesive research trajectory centered on rural teacher preparation, featuring international collaborations and innovative methodologies to strengthen community-school relationships in underserved areas.

Scientific Recognition:

• Awards for Excellence-Faculty Mentor (2024, 2019)
• Outstanding Faculty Member (2021)
• Nominated for Pure Gold Award (2022)
• MSU Student Organization Advisor of the Year (2017)

Dr. Hicks maintains active student mentorship through clinical teaching practicums and MACPHI-funded research projects. His current grants provide hands-on opportunities for students to address Montana's rural teacher shortage crisis while developing community engagement skills.

Though not leading a named laboratory, his work through the Center for Research on Rural Education and grant initiatives fosters collaborative teams focused on practical solutions for rural educational challenges across Montana communities.