Mark Hunter

Dr. Mark Hunter brings a wide variety of experience to the Department of Psychology and Human Services. After growing up in rural Indiana, Dr. Hunter attended Western Kentucky University and completed a BA degree in religious studies with a minor in sociology. After graduation, Dr. Hunter worked for the Tennessee Department of Human Services in Johnson City, TN, and earned a MA degree in counseling from East Tennessee State University.

During this time, Dr. Hunter met his wife, Jenna, and they moved to Birmingham, Alabama, for Dr. Hunter to attend Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. While working on his M.Div. degree, Dr. Hunter worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital as a chaplain. After graduation, Dr. Hunter served as associate pastor of pastoral care, counseling, and Mercy Ministries at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Hunter established and led various ministries in inner-city Birmingham and the Hispanic community in Shelby County, Alabama. During this time, Dr. Hunter and his wife Jenna adopted their two daughters from Nepal and India. Also, Dr. Hunter led numerous mission trips to Mexico, Peru, and India.

While working as a pastor, Dr. Hunter taught undergraduate psychology and completed his Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After graduation, Dr. Hunter was an associate professor of psychology at Houghton College in Houghton, New York, and Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.

While not originally from North Carolina, Dr. Hunter’s family has deep roots in the Montreat area. His ancestors were one of the original settlers of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Dr. Hunter enjoys being with his family, running and hiking, and folk and mountain music.

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