{"id":12452,"date":"2026-06-30T10:41:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/?p=12452"},"modified":"2026-06-30T10:41:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:41:30","slug":"a-professors-call-to-service-and-teaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/2026\/06\/30\/a-professors-call-to-service-and-teaching\/","title":{"rendered":"A Professor\u2019s Call to Service and Teaching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shaped by Family, Fueled by Service: Harry Hunter Jr.\u2019s Journey from Armstrong to USC Faculty<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When Professor Harry Hunter Jr., Ph.D., DSW (\u201975), 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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI observed my mother, a nurse, find great joy in caring for others \u2013 not just by treating illnesses, but by forming authentic connections with patients during their most vulnerable moments,\u201d he recalled. \u201cHer approach had a profound influence on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, his father, a brickmason, demonstrated a strong work ethic and immense pride in producing quality work, even when it went unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom him, I learned the importance of persistence, integrity and being reliably present for others in practical ways,\u201d Hunter said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These dual influences \u2013 empathy and purpose \u2013 shaped his worldview and set the foundation for a life of service and scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPursuing social work and psychology felt like a natural progression that seamlessly blended compassion with actionable efforts,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was more than just a career choice; it was a calling rooted in the values instilled in me during my upbringing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He graduated from Armstrong State University with a bachelor\u2019s degree in social work, and remembers Armstrong as a rigorous and enriching environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat stood out most was the inclusive and supportive atmosphere,\u201d he disclosed. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cOnce I started that, I never stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunter has earned several academic degrees, including a master\u2019s 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 \u201cDoctor of Social Work Student Award for Outstanding Achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I really love about teaching at USC is the diversity of students,\u201d he said. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His classroom philosophy reflects his lifelong values of respect, collaboration and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy 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,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunter still identifies with his roots at Armstrong State where he has been honored as a notable alumnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am genuinely grateful for those four years, as they greatly influenced who I am today,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Sandra Bennett<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shaped by Family, Fueled by Service: Harry Hunter Jr.\u2019s Journey from Armstrong to USC Faculty When Professor Harry Hunter Jr., Ph.D., DSW (\u201975), 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":9937,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[91,92],"class_list":["post-12452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","tag-fall-2025","tag-spring-2026"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t