Samuel Hunter Receives 2026 Award for Distinguished Research or Creative Activity
Samuel Hunter, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
College of Arts and Sciences
UNO is proud to recognize Samuel Hunter, Ph.D., professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, as the recipient of the 2026 Award for Distinguished Research or Creative Activity. This award honors his research achievements and his enhancement of the quality of research at UNO.
Why this recipient
Hunter’s research is nationally and internationally visible, placing him among the most influential scholars in his field.
His accomplishments include:
- Securing more than $11 million in external research funding since joining UNO.
- Leading major interdisciplinary research initiatives that have elevated UNO’s national research profile.
- Publishing highly cited scholarship in leadership, creativity, and national security-related fields.
- Mentoring students and junior faculty while fostering collaborative research environments.
- Producing research that translates theory into practical applications for organizations, public safety, and national security.
Making an impact
Hunter's research explores the intersection of creativity, leadership, and innovation, with a particular focus on understanding how individuals and organizations solve complex challenges. His scholarship has shaped conversations in psychology, organizational leadership, and national security, earning recognition from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners around the world.
As a leading scholar on malevolent innovation and a pioneer of equifinality-centric leadership theory, Hunter has developed research that challenges conventional thinking while offering practical solutions to real-world problems. His work on preventing and limiting extremist violence has informed decision-makers at the highest levels, including briefings for members of Congress and the White House National Security Council.
Beyond his individual contributions, Hunter has helped expand UNO's research enterprise through interdisciplinary collaborations, external funding, and mentorship of students and early-career scholars.
The big picture
Hunter's achievements exemplify UNO's commitment to pragmatic research and discovery that addresses complex societal challenges and improves quality of life. Through nationally recognized scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship, he advances the university's mission of innovating for the public good while strengthening UNO's reputation as a leading metropolitan research university.
Past Award Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Department/School |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tara Richards | School of Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| 2024 | Alexey Kamenskiy | Department of Biomechanics |
| 2023 | Mark Gilbert | School of the Arts |
| 2022 | Derrick Fox | Music |
| 2021 | Paul Davis Guoqing Lu |
Biology Biology |
| 2020 | Gina Ligon | Management |
| 2019 | Christine Beard | Music |
| 2018 | Elliott Ostler | Educational Leadership |
| 2017 | Prithviraj Dasgupta | Computer Science |
View the full list of award recipients
Nomination Information
The Award for Distinguished Research or Creative Activity (ADROCA) honors outstanding accomplishments in research or creative work by full-time Graduate Faculty members at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This award recognizes originality and distinction that garners attention on a national or international scale. ADROCA recipients contribute to advancing the quality of research and creative activity at UNO, while upholding the values of discovery, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence in scholarship and the arts.
Distinguished Research or Creative Activity Award nomination form
Important Dates
- March 1: Nomination Deadline
- April 1: Nominee documentation due