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NCITE's Sam Hunter Named Regents-Foundation Professor of I-O Psychology

Sam Hunter, Ph.D. received UNO's Regents-Foundation Professorship for his leading research in I-O psychology.

  • published: 2023/10/18
  • contact: NCITE Communications - NCITE
  • email: ncite@unomaha.edu
Hunter stands in front of a UNO themed background with an award in his hands. Chancellor Li stands to his left and Senior Vice Chancellor He to his right.

Sam Hunter stands with UNO Chancellor Joanne Li (left) and Senior Vice Chancellor Phil He (right).

By Eva Burklund
NCTE student communications assistant

Sam Hunter, head of innovation and emerging threats at NCITE and professor of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has been named the Regents-Foundation Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Hunter formally accepted the title at a ceremony Sept. 28. The title recognizes Hunter for his achievement in research and creativity throughout his academic career, as well as his leading work in I-O psychology.

“When you have a named professorship, it carries with it a little bit more weight,” Hunter said. “When you're making requests, you're interacting or engaging with other faculty members of other universities or trying to recruit students, it sends a signal of high-level capability that elevates others around you.”

Currently, Hunter is working on several funded projects, including:

  • Evaluating assessment tools determining whether an individual or group is a credible threat
  • Evaluating soft target threat assessment tools
  • Understanding how terrorists use the metaverse and artificial intelligence
  • Determining best practices for countering IEDs
  • Identifying whether there is a link between autism and incidents of violence
  • Applying the fields of I-O psychology and organizational behavior to gain a new perspective on the domestic violent extremism landscape

While managing these projects, Hunter also supervises students’ theses and dissertations, managing a total of about 20-25 projects. He hopes his new title can elevate his projects, NCITE, and his students.

“The biggest advantage is for my students, and the program, and the Center,” Hunter said. “My students being able to say they work with someone that has that title – ultimately it helps them when they go to apply for jobs, or they go looking for internships. It gives them a little more clout and credibility. The same is true for NCITE, having folks that have (these) professorships sends a signal of competency and quality.”

As he moves forward with his research, Hunter hopes the recognition will help him build relationships with partners across government and academia as well as uplift those around him.

“I would prefer to not have titles and that sort of thing,” Hunter said. “However, I recognize that in order for us to do the work that we do (at NCITE), having these kinds of awards is important for the future of the Center as well as the future of the I-O program as well."