Laura Hunter joined NPC Research in June 2022 with a primary focus on treatment court evaluation and translating research into practice. Prior to joining NPC, Dr. Hunter was the Program Evaluator and Manager in the Planning, Research, and Evaluation Division at Arizona Superior Court in Pima County. In this role, she designed and led evaluations of various court programs, including three treatment courts (Probation Drug Court, Family Drug Court, and the Supportive Treatment & Engagement Program), various juvenile delinquency diversion programs, and Pima County’s Indian Child Welfare Act Court. She worked closely with judges and court staff to design evaluations based on evidence-based best practices and the program’s goals. Dr. Hunter also submitted data and evaluations to support programs funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Dr. Hunter has extensive research and evaluation experience, including the design and analysis of surveys, key partner interviews, courtroom observations, and court records. She has multiple peer-reviewed publications. She also has years of professional experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Hunter earned her Doctorate in Sociology at the University of Arizona, a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion at the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology at the Ohio State University.