Suzanne Hunt

Education

• MPH with a concentration in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior from the University of South Carolina
• BS in Health & Wellness Promotion & K-6 Education from the University of North Carolina at Asheville
  • North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholar
  • Distinction in Health Education
  • Americorps Project POWER recipient 

Personal Introduction

Learning early on never to take health or my education for granted, I have always immersed myself in the practice of lifelong learning around anything in the health, wellness, public health, or education space. As a first-generation college student at UNC Asheville, I had the honor of double majoring in education and health and wellness promotion, where I found my true calling. Learning the ins and outs of “walking the talk” of wellness through lived and educational experiences, I aspire to help others through my involvement in the campus and local community. When I’m not living my “why” in public health education and wellness, I love spending time outside walking my two corgis, playing with my son, gardening, and immersing myself in British culture. 

Professional Profile

A Certified Health Coach, Certified Wellness Practitioner, peer educator trainer, and researcher, Suzanne Hunt has worked in higher education and academia for nearly 10 years. Hunt served in former roles in wellness, teaching, and professional supervision at North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has consulted for universities throughout the U.S. around improving health and wellness policies, programs, and community initiatives, as well as provided guidance around developing, implementing, and evaluating health and wellness coaching interventions to support holistic wellbeing and mental health. Since 2016, Hunt continues to serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she conducts research on supporting holistic wellness and resilience among veterinary medical students to reduce suicide rates within the veterinary medical industry.

In 2019, Hunt received the Emerging Wellness Professional Award from the National Wellness Institute (NWI), now known as the Wellness Alliance. From there, she became the Director of Professional Development at NWI, where she assisted in leading the research, development, and implementation of the NWI Wellness Promotion Competency Model, which supported the transition of the Certified Wellness Practitioner credential. Leveraging research and partnerships, Hunt guided strategy and implementation of professional development, continuing education, and aligning the annual national wellness conference with industry needs and standards. She is thrilled to be back in academia and higher education to continue to support emerging professionals to elevate the public health and wellness industry. In addition to serving as an Academic Professional (AP) Assistant Professor, she is also the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Public Health Education, where she oversees both the Community Health Education and the Health Studies (Online) undergraduate programs. 

Research Interests

• Effectiveness of health and wellness coaching within college settings 
• Health and wellness behaviors of veterinary medical college students 
• Enhancing well-being of college students through campus-wide community interventions 
• Influence of sleep on well-being
• College wellbeing interventions and the positive influence on undergraduate students 

Current Projects

• Currently serving as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Public Health Education.
• Faculty advisor for the Public Health Impact Network (PHIN) Student Organization, which one two major awards during its first year in existence
  • PHIN received the Humanitarian Award from the Office of Intercultural Engagement (Spring 2025)
  • PHIN received the 2025 Outstanding New Student Group of the Year 

Courses Taught

• HEA 113: Medical Terminology
• HEA 310: Mental Health and Well-being
• HEA 312: Public Health and Healthcare Systems in the US
• HEA 339: Introduction to Public Health Education Practice
• HEA 340: Community Observation & Assessment
• HEA 366: Community Health Interventions I
• HEA 447: Income, Social Status & Health
• HEA 466: Community Health Interventions II

Selected Publications

• National Wellness Conference, WELL Leader Connect Event, Indianapolis, 2021. The Social Activation of Wellness: Shifting mindsets, behaviors, and practices [White paper]. 
• Peterson, C., Ellery, J., Laube, T., Yuhas, B., & Hunt, S. (2021). Validation of the wellness promotion competency model: An exploratory factor analysis. (International Journal of Community Well-being; 2021) 
• Royal, K., Hunt, S., & Hedgpeth, M. (2019). Exercise, diet and sleep: A cross-sectional study of four veterinary medical student cohorts (Journal of Veterinary Medical Education; 2021) 
• Royal, K., Hunt, S., Gerard, M., & Borst, L. (2017). Sleep hygiene among veterinary medical students (Journal of Veterinary Medical Education; 2018) 
• Royal, K., Hunt, S., Gonzalez, L., Lewbart, G., & Bailey, K. (2017). Veterinary medical students’ motivations for exercise (Journal of Veterinary Medical Education; 2017) 
• Royal, K., Hunt, S., Scharf, V., Mariani, C., & Correa, M. (2017). Strategies used for making healthy eating choices among veterinary medical students (Journal of Veterinary Medical Education; 2018)