A Professor’s Call to Service and Teaching

When Professor Harry Hunter Jr., Ph.D., DSW (’75), talks about his life, he starts with Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up with four sisters and one brother. He speaks about his parents, who instilled the values that led to his current role as a faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC).

“I observed my mother, a nurse, find great joy in caring for others – not just by treating illnesses, but by forming authentic connections with patients during their most vulnerable moments,” he recalled. “Her approach had a profound influence on me.”

Meanwhile, his father, a brickmason, demonstrated a strong work ethic and immense pride in producing quality work, even when it went unnoticed.

“From him, I learned the importance of persistence, integrity and being reliably present for others in practical ways,” Hunter said.

These dual influences – empathy and purpose – shaped his worldview and set the foundation for a life of service and scholarship.

“Pursuing social work and psychology felt like a natural progression that seamlessly blended compassion with actionable efforts,” he said. “It was more than just a career choice; it was a calling rooted in the values instilled in me during my upbringing.”

He graduated from Armstrong State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and remembers Armstrong as a rigorous and enriching environment.

“What stood out most was the inclusive and supportive atmosphere,” he disclosed. “The campus had a diverse student body, where everyone was encouraged to succeed academically and personally. It was a place that truly valued community, learning and personal development.”

In his early career, Hunter held positions as a substance abuse therapist and clinical director for a residential treatment program before moving into leadership roles within nonprofit organizations, HMOs and state government.

“Most of my life I have worked as a leader within organizations to not only accomplish their mission and vision but also make sure the people working there feel valued, supported and are allowed to contribute to achieving the mission,” he said.

His desire to empower others eventually led Hunter to teaching. What started as an undergraduate course on social problems at the University of Detroit Mercy turned into a lifelong passion. He said, “Once I started that, I never stopped.”

Hunter has earned several academic degrees, including a master’s in social work from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Lawrence Technological University in Michigan. He also holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis and a Doctor of Social Work from Tulane University. In May 2025, during the Tulane University School of Social Work graduation ceremony, he received the “Doctor of Social Work Student Award for Outstanding Achievement.”

These days, he is an associate professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, where he teaches in both the online Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work degree programs.

“What I really love about teaching at USC is the diversity of students,” he said. “We have students from all over the U.S., Europe and Asia. This creates a rich learning experience because we hear different perspectives from people living around the world but are dealing with similar problems.”

His classroom philosophy reflects his lifelong values of respect, collaboration and support.

“My favorite thing is to create a classroom environment that is respectful, engaging and where people feel supported and where they are learning from each other,” Hunter said. “I focus on creating a learning environment that helps students understand course expectations, develop the skills necessary to become professional social workers, and address any biases that can impede working effectively with a diverse clientele.”

Hunter still identifies with his roots at Armstrong State where he has been honored as a notable alumnus.

“I am genuinely grateful for those four years, as they greatly influenced who I am today,” he said.

— Sandra Bennett